AR Sponsor
Posted: 5/6/2006 7:29:06 AM EDT
|
I bought this upper off the EE a couple months ago. It was described by the seller as an unfired Colt M16A1 factory replacement upper. The markings on the barrel do not seem to match the FAQ's that I have found. The only marking on the barrel is a "C" under the handguards. There is nothing stamped forward of the FSB. Note the obvious barrel vice block marks. Can somebody positively ID this as a factory upper?      |
|
eddie, The "C" on the barrel would indicate a chrome chamber only barrel. But AFAIK, Colt marked the "C" up near the muzzle on their early barrels, not under the handguards. Pic of Front Sight Base is a little fuzzy. I can see the "C" on the top, but is that a bell shape on the lower parts of the FSB? If it is a bell shape, that would be correct for a Colt. And the gas tube color and texture is interesting. See if the gas tube will attract a magnet and to what degree. All the rest of the parts I see are Colt. HTH, Carey |
|
Thanks to everyone providing info. Yes, the forge mark on the FSB is a bell shape. Would the "C" on the mid-point of the barrel simply be the manufacturer stamp, as opposed to chrome chamber markings? BTW, the upper has the later style handguards with drain holes. FXNTIME: On that 1974 Colt, does it have the "C" under the handguards? |
|
That is a rebuild, done at home or a arsenal job. Chrome chamber barrels were used on new rifles from 1967-1970 by Colt, H&R, and Hydramatic, and all the ones I have seen were stamped with a C about an inch from the muzzle, and none have a C marked FSB. I have RIA drawings specifing barrel markings on a new USGI rifle and that marking is not authorized. The barrel is a 1970's or 1980's, because that is when the C FSB was used. The aluminum barrel block markings are normal for a arsenal rebuild. The gas tube is a modern type that has been grit blasted. The upper receiver appears to be a CK upper, Colt used those in the early 1970's. Can't ID the bolt group, not enough pictures. But can see that it is not a 1960's bolt group. |
Unfortunately, I'm on travel so I can't post pictures of the bolt. It is MPC engraved. The only marking on the carrier is the "C" stamp on the left side. |
No, the upper would have come off a rebuilt rifle.
Rebuilds look nicer then factory new. For example, a factory new M16A1 is proof fired, shot full auto to check cyclic rate, and zeroed. All this results in finish wear on the bolt and carrier. On rebuilds were the bolt group is refinished they will not show this finish wear. Recently I have seen quite a few uppers that are take offs from rebuilt M16A1 rifles being sold as "new replacement uppers". |
Very good info. Assuming this was a rebuild (with new barrel), any idea of the value? Including the M16 BCG and charging handle I payed $400 delivered. |
If it is a 1974 Colt with a 20" barrel, and has no barrel markings in front of the FSB then it is also a rebuild. Effective in 1974 RIA required new M16A1 rifles to have the barrel marked MP CHROME BORE. |
AR Sponsor