Nixon Library AR-15

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Posted: 12/11/2018 1:56:03 AM EDT

I was at the Nixon Library a few days ago and came across a Vietnam display. Seeing the rifle in the hands of the statue I assumed it was part of the sculpture, but upon closer inspection it appears to be a real rifle painted white. I couldn’t see the serial number side from the front, so I reached in with the camera and snapped a picture.

I figured some of you guys might enjoy the pictures. Sorry if this has been posted before, I haven't been in this forum for a few years.

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Posted: 12/11/2018 1:57:19 AM EDT

[#1]

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Posted: 12/11/2018 2:05:34 AM EDT

[#2]

Nothing like a NFA item just hanging out.

cool OP

Posted: 12/11/2018 2:09:31 AM EDT

[#3]

Interesting. Every feature that I was going to say looked odd to me, like the right side selector switch end and the mag release button, look correct for a model 601 or 602 at the very least. The model 02 marking would be correct for a 602.

If it's not a real rifle it's a pretty darned good replica of a 602 and I'm sure it's made with at least some real parts.

Going to say tentatively that I think it's real. I've found nothing about it that looks wrong for a 602.

Posted: 12/11/2018 2:11:36 AM EDT

[#4]

Rubber Duck? Our local monument has an infantryman with a m16a1. It's been coated in rubber except for the barrel

Posted: 12/11/2018 2:13:10 AM EDT

[#5]

Rubber ducks have certain features that are filled in to make it possible to easily mold them. Such as a filled valley in the sight towers and filled holes in the handguards.

The pictured rifle doesn't show ANY of those features of a rubber duck.

Posted: 12/11/2018 2:18:02 AM EDT

[#6]

Is it the angle or is that an A2 pretty cover?

Posted: 12/11/2018 2:39:26 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Is it the angle or is that an A2 pretty cover?

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You’re right. It’s an A2 ejection port cover.

Posted: 12/11/2018 2:45:43 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Rubber Duck? Our local monument has an infantryman with a m16a1. It's been coated in rubber except for the barrel

View Quote

I gave that a brief thought at first, but it is a real gun. Rubber ducks have a one piece molded appearance that is pretty obvious up close. This is either an original with a few parts replaced, like the port door, or a parts gun that someone who knew what they were doing put together.

I don’t recognize the FSB markings, but haven’t looked into them to see if they are period correct for the overall gun.

Posted: 12/11/2018 6:08:53 AM EDT

[#9]

That's a mighty large auto-sear pin.

Posted: 12/11/2018 9:25:42 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Interesting. Every feature that I was going to say looked odd to me, like the right side selector switch end and the mag release button, look correct for a model 601 or 602 at the very least. The model 02 marking would be correct for a 602.

If it's not a real rifle it's a pretty darned good replica of a 602 and I'm sure it's made with at least some real parts.

Going to say tentatively that I think it's real. I've found nothing about it that looks wrong for a 602.

View Quote

Slick side upper and partial fence lower, isn't that a 604? Maybe an Air Force model?

Zip

Posted: 12/11/2018 10:34:33 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
That's a mighty large auto-sear pin.

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The bolt catch is way off too. That’s certainly not how a real one looks when installed on a rifle.

Posted: 12/11/2018 11:45:25 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
That's a mighty large auto-sear pin.

View Quote

Looks like they just installed rivets for the sear and hammer pins.

Posted: 12/11/2018 11:22:43 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
You’re right. It’s an A2 ejection port cover.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Is it the angle or is that an A2 pretty cover?

You’re right. It’s an A2 ejection port cover.

Glad you got that. F-ing autocorrect.

Posted: 12/11/2018 11:40:45 PM EDT

[#14]

It looks like a really good casting that used an AF 602 (majority went to the AF before the 604 was standardized) where the take down pin was partially out (filling in the hole on the other side with casting material) and the model weapon had an A2 port cover. Perhaps it was even borrowed 1033 Program from a local PD and had the auto sear removed leaving material to ooze out of the pin hole as others have pointed out that the pin head is weirdly oversized? Weird thing is all the 602s I saw were not partial fence, so that would be a new one.....maybe the artist would be interested in doing some 80% lower engraving?

Posted: 12/11/2018 11:45:02 PM EDT

[#15]

Thanks for posting, interesting display. One more detail, it is a full fence lower with the fence trimmed to partial, they didn't re-profile the area just above the trigger.

ETA: Charging handle is a modern shape one too.

Quoted:
I was at the Nixon Library a few days ago and came across a Vietnam display. Seeing the rifle in the hands of the statue I assumed it was part of the sculpture, but upon closer inspection it appears to be a real rifle painted white. I couldn’t see the serial number side from the front, so I reached in with the camera and snapped a picture.

I figured some of you guys might enjoy the pictures. Sorry if this has been posted before, I haven't been in this forum for a few years.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/188107/0DEF3364-F978-43DF-BE67-248D8BABF05B_jpeg-768382.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/188107/AC3C2FC2-AA25-494E-A9DF-83FD86299CF7_jpeg-768384.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/188107/8C8D09AC-48B6-47EE-AE93-E243B2AF2C0C_jpeg-768385.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/188107/CE27EC98-74EC-44CC-AA3F-D7DD866B4DBC_jpeg-768386.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/188107/6B196F15-B202-4745-A3ED-EAA71112112C_jpeg-768387.JPG

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Posted: 12/11/2018 11:55:00 PM EDT

[#16]

Trooper needs to put that selector on safe while moving

Posted: 12/12/2018 12:54:06 AM EDT

[#17]

I hope they didn't just paint a soldier white as well ??

Posted: 12/12/2018 2:31:23 AM EDT

[#18]

With that 604 upper and partial fence lower, I have no idea. I guess it could be AF, but I’d really like to know the background. “Um, Docent? May I ask a question?”

Posted: 12/12/2018 4:30:51 AM EDT

[#19]

The level of realism is impressive. I think there might be a real soldier beneath the paint as alluded to above!

Posted: 12/13/2018 1:41:47 PM EDT

[#20]

Nothing like being hidden in plain sight.

Posted: 12/14/2018 3:44:08 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
That's a mighty large auto-sear pin.

View Quote

That's what I saw first.

Posted: 12/15/2018 12:36:17 AM EDT

[#22]

1st off,, hey RLR, long time no see Brother,, howya been???
2nd, not real, model 602s have sns 20,000-39,999 and are slab sided.

Posted: 12/15/2018 1:46:12 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
1st off,, hey RLR, long time no see Brother,, howya been???
2nd, not real, model 602s have sns 20,000-39,999 and are slab sided.

View Quote

I’m good. Merry Christmas!

I retired, moved across country and am enjoying life. Shooting a lot, snowboarding, hiking, traveling, running, etc. It’s great to be relatively young, in good health and to do whatever I want.

Hope all is well with you, too.

When I saw this, I thought of all you guys and figured a post would get some interesting responses. I did look up the serial number and noticed it was too high, good point. The area under the magazine release being unfinished was also a good catch by someone.

I’m not a Nixon fan one way or the other, but the library’s are always interesting. I was at Reagan’s last year and it is pretty cool to see.

Nice to see you are still around the forum. Take care!

Posted: 12/15/2018 9:11:38 AM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:

I’m good. Merry Christmas!

I retired, moved across country and am enjoying life. Shooting a lot, snowboarding, hiking, traveling, running, etc. It’s great to be relatively young, in good health and to do whatever I want.

Hope all is well with you, too.

When I saw this, I thought of all you guys and figured a post would get some interesting responses. I did look up the serial number and noticed it was too high, good point. The area under the magazine release being unfinished was also a good catch by someone.

I’m not a Nixon fan one way or the other, but the library’s are always interesting. I was at Reagan’s last year and it is pretty cool to see.

Nice to see you are still around the forum. Take care!

View Quote

Very cool on all. Glad to see ya back my Friend,, hope ya stick around! Merry Christmas to you too.

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