A guy has a older 603 upper with no forge codes at the rear. She has a round forge but no triangle with the VP inside. It has the sight and proper ejection cover and he wants $180 for it.  Should I Fo?  The front mount is recessed and both look black.

Thats a fair price if its in good shape and is original grey

I don't think anyone but colt did dark lugs.

talk 'em down

If you want to get it you won't find a whole lot of them for sale

So I picked her up and paid $170 for it.  Just wondering if it's a Colt so here are the pictures. There is no Colt proof on her FWIW and in person it looks more dark than grey.

Nice buy!  Definitely a bargain!  Worth every penny!

Looks usgi score

More than likely, that's a GM Hydromatic upper. I've seen them with the forge flash cleaned up from the manufacturer, but you could tell their heart wasn't in it. Looking at the rear of your carry handle, there is some unfinished machining marks (chatter), and on the front, it appears to have been machined unevenly.
All in all, a damn nice upper.

Nice score, wish I had that kinda luck!

Sweet! Great score.

Cleaned her up a tad, The FA, rear sight and door seem to have a greenish tinge to them. The rear sight also has a 1 in a circle which none of my Colts have. The flashing inside the carry handle is also a tad sloppy.  Some better pics and hopefully this is a GM!!

The Colt sight apertures after 69ish are number in a circle or C on a small rectangle pad.  Prior to 69 Colt is unmarked.  Yours looks just as described as only a circle with number and no pad.  Very likely GM receiver.  Not sure if there is a difference between GM and Colt on the port door.  Also thinking some of the early pieces shared a few identical Colt sub contractor parts until production was geared.  Not like Colt made most of the parts used in their M-16's in house.  What markings are on the backside of the forward assist? Always chance of Colt XM16E1 replacement part un proofed upper also but kinda leaning toward GM at this point in time.

Regardless very cool find.  Probably a good price too.  Good reason to hit a funshow from time to time.  Always cool to dig up a 40 plus year old part that isn't trashed.  Of course it's either sell or enjoy searching for the other very fun to gather pieces.  BCG's and barrels come up fairly often if one knows what they are looking at.  The other small stuff not so often now days.  Sometimes you can luck out if seller has some parts bins and get the lower parts all at one time.  Good luck on your build.

Bouncing text messages back and forth with my brother (Air3aws). He currently has a GM upper. He pointed me toward this: Link

Nothing on the back of the FA.

Seems the HRAs and GMs had an almost black finish to them as well.

Been told that GM also used some P A marked uppers.....That's Capco / Martin Marietta.