INCREDIBLE Vintage find!!

kingfhb · Sep 26, 2016

I came across an original Colt SP1 with a serial number in the 100's!! From everything I've read and researched, the lowest serial numbers in circulation are in the 600s! Needless to say I am excited and anxious to get it back to its glory. I will take some pictures and post them soon. It's in amazing condition... original three pronged flash-hider, triangular handguard, has the forward assist, drilled hole to pin buffer tube, holed-safety, says "Colt Patent Firearms" instead of "Colt Firearms Division", screwed front pivot pin... I mean, INCREDIBLE!

I purchased a NODAK SPUD triangular charging handle, but an authentic one would be nice!

So, I'm trying to restore it to factory but it was missing everything aft of the receiver except the stock itself. I am looking for an Edgewater Buffer, spring, and buffer tube (the early model with no wrench flats and has a hole in it for removal).

If you come across or know someone... or even have seen these things floating around on the web... LET ME KNOW!

JR1572 · Sep 26, 2016

Let's see the pics...

JR1572

Spleen · Sep 26, 2016

JR1572 said:
Let's see the pics...

JR1572

Yep, pics please!

Spleen · Sep 26, 2016

Oh, and I believe the full story is highly indicated here.
Would love to know how you came across this gem.
Has to be quite an incredible tale.

kingfhb · Sep 26, 2016

Spleen said:
Oh, and I believe the full story is highly indicated here.
Would love to know how you came across this gem.
Has to be quite an incredible tale.

Actually... Finding it wasn't that "incredible"... more luck! In a nutshell...

A friend ordered a Law Enforcement trade-in... received it and shortly thereafter was hit with a need for some immediate quick cash... So he offered it to me. Originally I purchased it because of it's "Retro" look... I won't say how much because it was obscenely under-priced because he didn't really know what he had. Hell, I didn't either until I started researching it after I bought it from him. Apparently this thing was purchased by some department back in the day and sat in a rack for years.

Once I began researching it, I quickly realized what I had. Once in a lifetime.

DAVE_M · Sep 26, 2016

SP1's don't have a forward assist.

kingfhb · Sep 26, 2016

DAVE_M said:
SP1's don't have a forward assist.

That's because the upper is actually from an early M16A1 with the teardrop assist. Also in immaculate condition. Carry handle, handguards (no broken teeth), Forward Assist, Tri-prong flash hider, etc.

It's amazing how light the entire rifle is... mainly because of the pencil barrel.

All Trolling aside... Technically not an "Original SP1"... if not anything else, for the NODAK SPUD charging handle... and the fact that I pointed out that the buffer tube, buffer and spring are missing as well... but still of great value and still a great find... especially for what I paid for it.

kingfhb · Sep 26, 2016

One more thing I forgot to mention... it has an original Colt 3x20 scope in the box like new, still with the leather lens covers.

DAVE_M · Sep 26, 2016

kingfhb said:
That's because the upper is actually from an early M16A1 with the teardrop assist. Also in immaculate condition. Carry handle, handguards (no broken teeth), Forward Assist, Tri-prong flash hider, etc.

It's amazing how light the entire rifle is... mainly because of the pencil barrel.

All Trolling aside... Technically not an "Original SP1"... if not anything else, for the NODAK SPUD charging handle... and the fact that I pointed out that the buffer tube, buffer and spring are missing as well... but still of great value and still a great find... especially for what I paid for it.

Just busting your balls. Even if you didn't have a complete rifle, the lower itself is of great value.

Now you just need to shoot it.

kingfhb · Sep 26, 2016

DAVE_M said:
Just busting your balls. Even if you didn't have a complete rifle, the lower itself is of great value.

Now you just need to shoot it.

Oh I want to get her perfect before I do that. I almost had an Edgewater Buffer a few days ago, but someone sniped me on it. Once I get it complete, I have a friend who is a Vietnam Vet... I want him to be the first to fire it.

machinedrummer · Sep 26, 2016

Did you throw your friend a little more cash to help him out in his time of need? Lol

MALIBU12 · Sep 26, 2016

dougstump · Sep 26, 2016

I picked up a very nice SP1 last year, made in 1973 & never molested. It had the Edgewater buffer but I blessed it with a new spec buffer & spring. I have the original parts bagged & tagged. Haven't had the first stoppage & didn't have to touch the sights. It just feels right, maybe cause that's what I carried in the first Gulf War (USAF M16, no A1).

Magdump · Sep 26, 2016

I took the triangle hanguards off my early Colts and stored them. Swapped them out with more modern versions that will fit the triangular front cap. I only have 2 prebans that I bought new (and I do like the SP's), all the rest I bought years ago from private sellers who realized they weren't their cup of tea, mostly in the late 70's and early 80's when I first got into playing with them . A few i actually bought in various degrees of diassembly, due to some folks forgetting how to reassemble, lol.
Some of the first gun shows I attended in Texas and here in Louisiana would always have a few tables loaded down with totally stripped down colts and what is now known as the mil surp parts kit, i.e. everything but the lower. They were crazy cheap and I would buy bunches of them so cheap it would make some of you guys cry. The parts boxes began to mount up and I eventually got it all organized. The last preban I bought was a couple years ago, had been tucked in an old man's closet in pristine condition. It just happened to be a SP. It was the only one of his guns the surviving family wanted to sell and they humbly asked $200 for it.
I temporarily added a scope to prove it's accuracy to some of my buds.
How many of you know the difference in the front takedown pin? Here's a clue, if the pic will accurately show it.

Magdump · Sep 26, 2016

Colt wound up selling a few different versions of the AR prior to the ban that I was able to take advantage of. Different barrels and such. I remember when the first flat tops hit the market. Dang those things looked odd at the time. Eventually other manufacturers joined in and you could buy AR 15 parts and rifles with different logos. The Eagle arms lowers I have are the last of the prebans I bought. Olympic Arms made some nice stuff too. But if you didn't mind a little spray paint and some battle scuffs, the stripped down parts kit mil surp rifles were the way to go. I must have wound up with a couple dozen canvas wrapped cleaning kits. That's what fits in the old fixed stock rifle butts in case you guys didn't know, lol. And the brown wrapped 20 and 30 round mags at Sinclares army surplus in Central could be had for $2.50 and $6 respectively.
Dang if the AR ain't the most fun gun on the planet.

rcm192 · Sep 26, 2016

Im jealous! I built the closest thing i could to one....an original is probably more than this guy could for out for one right now.

kingfhb · Sep 26, 2016

A few pics...

I'm only covering two numbers.

rcm192 · Sep 27, 2016

kingfhb said:
A few pics...

I'm only covering two numbers.

You found a gem! Do you have a couple of original Colt mags and a Colt bayonet to go wit it?

kingfhb · Sep 27, 2016

rcm192 said:
You found a gem! Do you have a couple of original Colt mags and a Colt bayonet to go wit it?

I have the bayonet... however I wish I could find some waffle mags... but I do have three original Colt 20 rounders as well.

kingfhb · Sep 27, 2016

Still looking for a buffer tube, buffer and spring if anyone knows anyone!!

INCREDIBLE Vintage find!!

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