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Posted: 2/7/2016 8:24:31 PM EDT
[#1]
< If you don't know, don't answer this is a tech forum not GD - F >
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Posted: 2/7/2016 8:25:45 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
What year was it manufactured and is there any other history behind it like problems, development, etc? I looked but google had nothing Armalite? |
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Posted: 2/7/2016 8:25:57 PM EDT
[#3]
You don't think the first prototype was made from a forging do you?
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Posted: 2/7/2016 8:49:48 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Why does it matter? I want to know the history behind it |
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Posted: 2/7/2016 8:51:29 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You don't think the first prototype was made from a forging do you? I don't know that's why I am asking the questions about the first that manufactured billets for commercial usage |
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Posted: 2/7/2016 8:57:26 PM EDT
[#6]
< If you can't answer the question, then don't answer - this is not GD - F >
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Posted: 2/7/2016 9:11:46 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
What year was it manufactured and is there any other history behind it like problems, development, etc? I looked but google had nothing I believe Socom Mfg were the first people to make a billet lower: 
ETA: at least, what we would consider a billet lower; I imagine the prototype Armalite rifles were machined from billet since they probably hadn't created forging molds yet. |
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Posted: 2/7/2016 9:20:45 PM EDT
[#8]
Sgw had a billet lower.
Sold by palmetto armory /b&h service from my research it was that or a colt back in the day. Eta: manufactured in the 70's. https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=123&t=564903 |
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Posted: 2/7/2016 10:06:26 PM EDT
[#9]
SN 1000 to 884503/14/79 thru 06/04/82 Cut from aluminum bar stock. Most were made for other manufacturers such as Palmetto Armory. Also EA Manufacturing in Louisiana and Advance Armaments in Lingleville, Texas. 
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Posted: 2/8/2016 12:12:35 AM EDT
[#10]
Double Tap
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Posted: 2/8/2016 12:23:12 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Sgw had a billet lower. Sold by palmetto armory /b&h service from my research it was that or a colt back in the day. Eta: manufactured in the 70's. https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=123&t=564903 Correct! I had several, at the time they were the ONLY choice for an AR-15 lower other than Colt. They started offering them in 1979 with full page adds in Shotgun News. In addition they were the first to offer what the called a "Shorty upper" they cut down shot out M-16A1 barrels, permanently attached a long flash suppressor and offered them with carbine handguards, they also offered a carbine stock & receiver extension. At the time, they were the ONLY game in town if you wanted an AR-15 carbine! 
And yes, they were a "little rough". BTW, EA only produced castings back then and it was a couple of years after SGW built lowers for "Old Sarge" aka B&H Service, Natalia, TX. |
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Posted: 2/8/2016 12:23:38 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
< If you don't know, don't answer this is a tech forum not GD - F > I know the answer, but it is an insignificant answer and at this point in time does not matter! I do however find it very interesting in the way you guys selectively edit and delete messages on this forum, I would like to have a nice in depth conversation with some of the moderation team if possible? Thanks. |
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Posted: 2/8/2016 4:08:38 AM EDT
[#13]
I always thought that Billet lowers were a recent fad. Here I come to find out that they have been around for quite a while.
How hard was it to find build components back when those original Palmetto lowers were floating around? Because I'd assume there wasn't anything close to the commercial AR component industry we have now. |
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Posted: 2/8/2016 7:53:07 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I always thought that Billet lowers were a recent fad. Here I come to find out that they have been around for quite a while. How hard was it to find build components back when those original Palmetto lowers were floating around? Because I'd assume there wasn't anything close to the commercial AR component industry we have now. Billet manufacturing would always be the best choice for a small run. Look at the start-up cost for each of the two manufacture methods: Forged - Manufacture forging dies, contract a forging company for a minimum number of blanks, (some of the first blanks will be scrap), make manufacturing fixtures to hold the raw forgings for machining. Billet - Make fixtures, and they will be fewer than for a forging. |
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Posted: 2/8/2016 8:24:27 AM EDT
[#15]
The SGW Palmetto lowers were the first billet lower I saw. Followed by the Bohica lowers, the Armitage International lower that later became the Socom Black Diamond lower. Sure there were probably others.
Theres a link to a pic of a Bohica lower in this thread www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_12/223495_Lower_Receiver_and_Mag_Floorplate_Rollmarks__Logos_and_Markings.html There is also a pic of and old Advanced Armament billet lower. |
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Posted: 2/8/2016 10:23:39 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How hard was it to find build components back when those original Palmetto lowers were floating around? Because I'd assume there wasn't anything close to the commercial AR component industry we have now. The ONLY parts you could get were M-16 parts, and most of them were rejects. It was recommended that you modify them to AR-15 to stay out of hot water with the BATF. But back then you couldn't even purchase an aftermarket safety/selector. I will say this about the original SGW billet lowers, they may have looked like crap on the outside but they did work without modification. |
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Posted: 2/8/2016 11:35:14 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Correct! I had several, at the time they were the ONLY choice for an AR-15 lower other than Colt. They started offering them in 1979 with full page adds in Shotgun News. In addition they were the first to offer what the called a "Shorty upper" they cut down shot out M-16A1 barrels, permanently attached a long flash suppressor and offered them with carbine handguards, they also offered a carbine stock & receiver extension. At the time, they were the ONLY game in town if you wanted an AR-15 carbine! <a href="http://s135.photobucket.com/user/PursuitSS/media/dd6d56aa99d2e79a31818664d038be6b.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/PursuitSS/dd6d56aa99d2e79a31818664d038be6b.jpg</a> <a href="http://s135.photobucket.com/user/PursuitSS/media/0cd5212268745c3dff112f6c54e2a1ca.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/PursuitSS/0cd5212268745c3dff112f6c54e2a1ca.jpg</a> <a href="http://s135.photobucket.com/user/PursuitSS/media/b4178b7ba47678669f65cf610048d767.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/PursuitSS/b4178b7ba47678669f65cf610048d767.jpg</a> And yes, they were a "little rough". BTW, EA only produced castings back then and it was a couple of years after SGW built lowers for "Old Sarge" aka B&H Service, Natalia, TX. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Sgw had a billet lower. Sold by palmetto armory /b&h service from my research it was that or a colt back in the day. Eta: manufactured in the 70's. https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=123&t=564903 Correct! I had several, at the time they were the ONLY choice for an AR-15 lower other than Colt. They started offering them in 1979 with full page adds in Shotgun News. In addition they were the first to offer what the called a "Shorty upper" they cut down shot out M-16A1 barrels, permanently attached a long flash suppressor and offered them with carbine handguards, they also offered a carbine stock & receiver extension. At the time, they were the ONLY game in town if you wanted an AR-15 carbine! <a href="http://s135.photobucket.com/user/PursuitSS/media/dd6d56aa99d2e79a31818664d038be6b.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/PursuitSS/dd6d56aa99d2e79a31818664d038be6b.jpg</a> <a href="http://s135.photobucket.com/user/PursuitSS/media/0cd5212268745c3dff112f6c54e2a1ca.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/PursuitSS/0cd5212268745c3dff112f6c54e2a1ca.jpg</a> <a href="http://s135.photobucket.com/user/PursuitSS/media/b4178b7ba47678669f65cf610048d767.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/PursuitSS/b4178b7ba47678669f65cf610048d767.jpg</a> And yes, they were a "little rough". BTW, EA only produced castings back then and it was a couple of years after SGW built lowers for "Old Sarge" aka B&H Service, Natalia, TX. I never thought that Palmetto Armory would be the first one to offer a commerical billet. It does look a little rough but that gives it character  Thanks for all the info guys!
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Posted: 2/8/2016 1:20:44 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I never thought that Palmetto Armory would be the first one to offer a commerical billet. It does look a little rough but that gives it character Thanks for all the info guys!
Keep in mind, that's NOT Palmetto State Armory! The marking "Palmetto Armory" was used by B&H Service. He stated he was paying homage to the Palmetto Armory from the mid-1800's. |
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Posted: 2/9/2016 3:15:01 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Keep in mind, that's NOT Palmetto State Armory! The marking "Palmetto Armory" was used by B&H Service. He stated he was paying homage to the Palmetto Armory from the mid-1800's. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I never thought that Palmetto Armory would be the first one to offer a commerical billet. It does look a little rough but that gives it character Thanks for all the info guys!
Keep in mind, that's NOT Palmetto State Armory! The marking "Palmetto Armory" was used by B&H Service. He stated he was paying homage to the Palmetto Armory from the mid-1800's. Now that's very interesting. |
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Posted: 2/9/2016 10:58:57 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Billet manufacturing would always be the best choice for a small run. Look at the start-up cost for each of the two manufacture methods: Forged - Manufacture forging dies, contract a forging company for a minimum number of blanks, (some of the first blanks will be scrap), make manufacturing fixtures to hold the raw forgings for machining. Billet - Make fixtures, and they will be fewer than for a forging. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I always thought that Billet lowers were a recent fad. Here I come to find out that they have been around for quite a while. How hard was it to find build components back when those original Palmetto lowers were floating around? Because I'd assume there wasn't anything close to the commercial AR component industry we have now. Billet manufacturing would always be the best choice for a small run. Look at the start-up cost for each of the two manufacture methods: Forged - Manufacture forging dies, contract a forging company for a minimum number of blanks, (some of the first blanks will be scrap), make manufacturing fixtures to hold the raw forgings for machining. Billet - Make fixtures, and they will be fewer than for a forging. Now that is a pretty cool history lesson. Thank you, sir 
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