INCREDIBLE Vintage find!!

[JR1572]

Kingfhb, what/where are the forge marks on the upper and can we get a picture of them?

JR1572

 

[kingfhb]

I'll take a look and post them tonight.

 

[340six]

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.

I have a very early Sporter Right before Ban Colt did some voluntary stuff back then so that they might not get banned {well hoped}
I have a H-bar Sporter with Colt Wing nutted 4x20 Still a very nice gun. both Have Chrome barrels marked 5.56. And a SP1 with wing nutted 3x20 no forward assit unmolesed but put away the BCG

 

[340six]

This may be to many pictures but wanted to show the upper scope and factory caps

 

[340six]

What did Colt tell ya year on ya lower? It is a free easy fast call. My new Sporter and 4x20

 

[kingfhb]

Sorry JR1572 I didn't get a chance to pull her back out of the safe last night... I will try and get those marks tonight.

There's a really good resource for determining the year (I haven't called yet), online at https://bpullignwolnet.dotster.com/retroblackrifle/ModGde/SP1SN.html
I'm thinking my lower was made in '64... SP00101 was the beginning of '64, and then SP02591 started in '65. I know its a early one not only from the serial number, but early SP1s were marked "Colt's Patent Firearms", later SP1s were marked "Colt's Firearms Division".

I did look it up on Colt's website serial number search... http://www.colt.com/Customer-Services/Serial-Number-Lookup
It says it's a 1964 AR-15 SPORTER.

 

[JR1572]

Sorry JR1572 I didn't get a chance to pull her back out of the safe last night... I will try and get those marks tonight.

There's a really good resource for determining the year (I haven't called yet), online at https://bpullignwolnet.dotster.com/retroblackrifle/ModGde/SP1SN.html
I'm thinking my lower was made in '64... SP00101 was the beginning of '64, and then SP02591 started in '65. I know its a early one not only from the serial number, but early SP1s were marked "Colt's Patent Firearms", later SP1s were marked "Colt's Firearms Division".

I did look it up on Colt's website serial number search... http://www.colt.com/Customer-Services/Serial-Number-Lookup
It says it's a 1964 AR-15 SPORTER.

Cool.

I have another site for you. I'll post it up after while when I get where I'm going.

JR1572

 

[JR1572]

http://biggerhammer.net/ar15/ar15serial.html

It's an old page but it still has relevant info.

JR1572

 

[kingfhb]

http://biggerhammer.net/ar15/ar15serial.html

It's an old page but it still has relevant info.

JR1572

Thanks for the link! Has some GREAT info!

After a little more research (thanks JR1572), I found out that the flush screw in place of the forward pivot pin allows you to use a milspec (.250) small pin upper on a large hole (.315) SP1 type lower... so I'm guessing that's to support the use of the M16A1 upper. I'm not sure when they changed the forward pivot pin hole size on the lowers.

The upper is probably a few years younger, like 1967-ish (no shell deflector).

The NODAK SPUD triangular charging handle style isn't correct for the year... it would have been the more common charging handle, just "grey". Also means that the Edgewater Buffer wouldn't be correct also... it would be the more common rifle buffer (R6600 HBAR buffer)... though, the buffer tube would have been the one with no wrench flats.

It also has the original Bolt carrier (stamped "C") and , however, the original bolt has been replaced (not the chromed one, but still a COLT marked MPC) and it doesn't have the flat firing pin retainer.

 

[kingfhb]

http://biggerhammer.net/ar15/ar15serial.html

It's an old page but it still has relevant info.

JR1572

The only mark on the barrel is a 12.

These are the only marks on the receiver.

 

[JR1572]

The only mark on the barrel is a 12.

These are the only marks on the receiver.

It's a Colt upper. Those proof marks should be a C in a square (for colt) and a vp in a triangle. The C in a square was done crappy.

JR1572

 

[JR1572]

The only mark on the barrel is a 12.

These are the only marks on the receiver.

Is there any other markings on the upper? Like maybe under the rear sight wheel?

JR1572

 

[JR1572]

https://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=3&f=123&t=401263

Kingfbh, check out this link.

JR1572

 

[kingfhb]

https://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=3&f=123&t=401263

Kingfbh, check out this link.

JR1572

I don't see any other marks.

 

[kingfhb]

Just as a bonus... here's my build of a replica XM177 Carbine... not a SP1 or anything vintage... ALL brand new parts actually. I slowly distressed it myself over a month. It's my "truck gun"... one I can beat to hell and not feel bad about it.

She's a shooter.

I've gotten more questions and comments about this rifle than any others. I had a matching distressed ACOG on it, which actually generated even more questions... like "What truck in Afghanistan did that thing fall off of?" and "That looks like one I was issued when I was in." (before I took the bird cage off).

The lower is actually Aero Precisions "Ghost Gun" receiver... the safety says "[D]" for safe, ".30 Caliber Clip" for semi-auto, and "Half Sec." for full auto.

Replica colt scope (china)
Replica bushmaster polymer XM177 stock (made in the 80s I believe)
Vintage pistol grip (Vietnam era)
Vintage M1 sling
Brownells 20 round Magazine

Other than those parts, everything on it is/was new.

 

[kingfhb]

Acquired a vintage buffer, spring and tube! One step closer!

Also came across an authentic Colt Bipod.

 

[Saintsfan6]

Truly an awesome find, glad to know its in the hands of someone who will value it! Keep the pics coming!

 

[Gmac]

preban AR's

There seems to be quite a bit of interest in this vintage Colt rifle. I don't know if there are any serious collectors among this group. But if any one has interest in a collection of preban blue
label Colt rifles, I know of one for sale. Six rifles , in four calibers, all unfired. He has an offer from out of state on the collection. I saw this thread and told him I would ask if there was
any interest locally.
If interested PM me.

GMac

 

[rcm192]

Since theres love for vintage type ars...heres a pic of mine.

 

[kingfhb]

I have to take more pictures... Added an SP1 buffer, buffer tube and spring... also a Colt SP1 BCG and SP1 Charging Handle. So now I have a complete SP1 lower (serial number in the upper 100's) and a complete early M16A1 upper, authentic Bayonet and UNISSUED (still in pastic and paper wrapper) Colt bipod.

What I still need...

Screw for stock with no hole (early model)
Original SP1 Bolt (Chrome)