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Posted: 6/28/2026 1:38:32 PM EDT
| Are they all stamped with a number? What if they're not, is that notable? I've been told they were sometimes marked under the FSB. |
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601s had the most variation. See below: Youll see in this thread that, yes, sometimes there are markings under the FSB legs (i do not think it is worth removing the fsb to determine what those are, personally) https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Colt-s-USGI-M16-Series-Variation-Guide-Edition-V/123-754684/ https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/Colt-Model-01-601-Consolidated-Photo-Reference-Thread/123-773784/ Some were unmarked, some were marked with a W for Winchester, some are VP marked, some are MS marked, some are M1 marked (2x of mine are), some of the veeeery tail end were VP 12. It’s a crap shoot and there used to be some okay threads documenting it. There are others that I have not mentioned here as well Nobody has succeeded in creating a sn range list with the barrel markings you might expect because it is so confusing. I tried myself and settled for making my 601 thread in the hopes that it would bring some patterns to light. My “M1” marked barrels: Attached File |
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid"
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
 My Colt 1x14 just has the VP. Also (without diggingit out of the safe) theres a big "5" closer to the chamber end under the handguards. https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/601-Build-Complete-Plus-some-group-pictures-/123-713193/ Eta: Also Ive let a few retro rifles go over the years, built a few others.....but my original line up of 601, 602, 603, 604 is still in tact from 9 years ago. 
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Put not your trust in princes, in sons of men in whom there is no salvation.
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Originally Posted By Kalahnikid: One of the best threads I've ever seen here was all 601 barrel markings and it was all lost in Photobucket years ago. Yup. Couldn’t save that one |
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid"
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
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Originally Posted By ArmaLite_Aficionado: 601s had the most variation. See below: Youll see in this thread that, yes, sometimes there are markings under the FSB legs (i do not think it is worth removing the fsb to determine what those are, personally) https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Colt-s-USGI-M16-Series-Variation-Guide-Edition-V/123-754684/ https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/Colt-Model-01-601-Consolidated-Photo-Reference-Thread/123-773784/ Some were unmarked, some were marked with a W for Winchester, some are VP marked, some are MS marked, some are M1 marked (2x of mine are), some of the veeeery tail end were VP 12. It’s a crap shoot and there used to be some okay threads documenting it. There are others that I have not mentioned here as well Nobody has succeeded in creating a sn range list with the barrel markings you might expect because it is so confusing. I tried myself and settled for making my 601 thread in the hopes that it would bring some patterns to light. My “M1” marked barrels: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/463351/IMG_8930_jpeg-3786508.JPG My M1 marked barrel is similar to the bottom photo. |
The artist formerly known as Blanco_Diablo
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalms 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalms 27:1
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