NAACO Brigadier
The Brigadier is a pistol developed by the North America Arms Corporation (NAACO) to meet Canadian requirements for a service handgun in the aftermath of World War II. It was based largely on the FN GP35 Hi-Power self-loading pistol of 1935 but scaled up significantly. Whereas the Hi-Power used the 9×19mm cartridge, the NAACO Brigadier used a new long-case.45 inch round of greater length and much greater power than the then-standard.45 ACP. With a standard 230 gr bullet, the.45 NAACO cartridge could produce muzzle velocities of up to 1600 ft/s, or almost twice as fast as the.45 ACP. In order to keep weight down, the pistol used an aluminium frame, but still weighed more than four pounds, unloaded. Its box magazine could carry eight rounds of ammunition.
NAACO Brigadier
- Name
- NAACO Brigadier
- Field
- semi-automatic pistol
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
The Brigadier is a pistol developed by the North America Arms Corporation (NAACO) to meet Canadian requirements for a service handgun in the aftermath of World War II. It was based largely on the FN GP35 Hi-Power self-loading pistol of 1935 but scaled up significantly. Whereas the Hi-Power used the 9×19mm cartridge, the NAACO Brigadier used a new long-case.45 inch round of greater length and much greater power than the then-standard.45 ACP. With a standard 230 gr bullet, the.45 NAACO cartridge could produce muzzle velocities of up to 1600 ft/s, or almost twice as fast as the.45 ACP. In order to keep weight down, the pistol used an aluminium frame, but still weighed more than four pounds, unloaded. Its box magazine could carry eight rounds of ammunition.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for NAACO Brigadier. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
World of VALÉORINE
Documentary connections
Only confirmed graph relationships appear here. Images are shown only when their identity and reuse rights both pass the documentary gate.
Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q6952049 · wikipedia · NAACO Brigadier
In this article
Overview
Overview
A removable trigger module allowed for a fully automatic configuration, complete with an attachable butt-stock. This would produce a sub-machine gun configuration called the Borealis (never constructed). Gunsmith Robert Herman and Designer Russell Sutherland spent a year developing the prototype.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — NAACO Brigadier • Origin — Canada • Type — Semi-automatic pistol • Is Ranged — yes • Designer — Russell Sutherland • Manufacturer — North American Arms Corporation (NAACO) • Weight — * 1896 g (66.9 oz) • Length — 245 mm (9.7 in) • Part Length — 140 mm (5.5 in) • Cartridge —.45 NAACO (later renamed.45 Winchester Magnum) • Action — mechanically locked, recoil operated (DA/SA) • Velocity — 1600 ft/s (490 m/s) • Feed — 8-round detachable box magazine • Sights — Iron sights
Collapse and aftermath
Collapse and aftermath
In the end, the Brigadier project was scrapped as a result of NATO standardization, and the company folded in 1962. Only one prototype was built, and the weapon never entered service. The.45 NAACO cartridge sank into obscurity, but was revived in the 1970s by Winchester as a long-range target round. Ballistic performance was nearly identical to the original, and the cartridge was christened.45 Winchester Magnum. It has since been used in a number of handguns.
Resources
Resources
• Hogg, Ian & John Weeks. Pistols of the World: The Definitive Illustrated Guide to the World's Pistols and Revolvers, 3rd Edition. DBI Books: Northbrook, IL, 1992.. • ".45 Winchester Magnum." Sierra Handloading Manual, 4th Edition. Sierra Bullets.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
Connections
Knowledge graph
Connections
Each connection was recorded deliberately, with the basis for it kept on the internal record.
Broader subject
1- semi-automatic pistolTerminology
Established from a fact already recorded on a verified source.
Further particulars
Held on the record
Further particulars
Open the remaining particulars
NAACO Brigadier is connected to 1 other published record in the VALÉORINE Encyclopedia.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Militaria
6,095 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- musketTerminology
- MW 18014Terminology
- Myriad CIWSTerminology
- MZKT-79221Terminology
- nagamakiTerminology
- Nagant M1895Terminology
- Nagant wz. 30Terminology
- naginataTerminology
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own an object connected with NAACO Brigadier?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.