Mar 17, 2007  We have a 'sticky' at the top of this forum that talks about Springfield's serial numbers, but bottom line, pistols with an 'NM' serial number tend to mean that the pistol was built here in the United States, as opposed to Brazil.

A lot of debate has gone around on the internet about what the ' NM' serial number prefix stands for. Some believe that it stands for 'National Match', which is typically the case when you see that marking, however it's not so with Springfield 1911's.

It is well known that Springfield Armory Inc. 1911's start from IMBEL forgings from Brazil. The 1911's that have the 'Brazil' import marking's on the frame have more than 50% of the work performed by IMBEL, these would have the ' N' prefix. The GI's are also made in Brazil and have the WW prefix. The Mil-spec model's can have either a N or NM prefix, with the N being more common.

I just bought a 1911-a1 in box, it has the ww prefix and it is a mil-spec stainless 45. Shows on gun and original box. Klyuchi dlya bartender. It is made in brazil.

Is this consdiered good or bad compared to the n or nm. The man just had it completely cerakoted and micro-finished on internal parts, I am impressed with the finish so far. It seems to be tight and smooth. Is there anyway to date the gun? Serial # ww979** fyi, got a couple guns from him and basically got this one for $400 complete with box, and contents as original.

Thanks, Mike.

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However, i was very disappointed when i saw 'Brazil' engraved on the frames of mil-specs at my local gun shop. This comes straight from Deb/Vicky at Springfield. If > 50% of the work is done on one of their pistols in Brazil, then somewhere on that pistol it will be marked 'Brazil'. Should > 50% be done in Geneseo, IL, then it does not require a 'Brazil' marking.

That is where the 'MADE IN BRAZIL' rollmarks come from. Placed above the serial number. That is one variety of markings that will show up on Springfield's G.I., Mil-Spec and Loaded pistols. Another is the 'Geneseo IL USA' found just above the serial number.

There's essentially two common variants of this. For example, in the Mil-Spec line, if it has a N serial number prefix, you will find 'IMBEL BRAZIL' or 'FI BRAZIL' laser etched in two places. The locations are the bottom side of the dustcover and underneath the right grip panel on the frame. If you find a NM serial number prefix, those markings are usually always absent and the 'GENESEO IL USA' rollmark still appears above the serial number on the frame. Understand this part- ALL Springfield Armory 1911A1 pistols start their life in the forge presses of IMBEL in Brazil. There the frames, slides and barrels are forged.

Regardless of what markings are later applied or where the majority of the work is done. On the Springfield Armory website, 'Brazil' does not appear on the image they have of the pistol. I am very upset that a company who claims to be 'The First Name In American Firearms' has chosen to out-source the production of an American icon for an increase in profits. I have no doubt that cheap foreign labor has substantally increased their profits.

Yet, the price of their product has not declined. All SA 1911A1 pistols start as frame, slide and barrel forgings made by IMBEL in Brazil. It's been like that since day one for Springfield Armory. Hence, there really isn't any outsourcing that was done to reduce labor costs. Springfield's higher line of 1911A1 pistols are all finished (> 50%) in Geneseo, IL.

That's not changed. Doubt it ever will. IMBEL is a major arms maker.

The Springfield 1911A1 pistols that are marked 'MADE IN BRAZIL' are equal in quality to any done in Geneseo. One of the best made and fitted Mil-Spec pistols I've seen lately had the 'MADE IN BRAZIL' rollmark. This reflects a very highly skilled and competent workforce. I doubt that IMBEL is using cheap labor (for Brazil).