AR Sponsor
Posted: 1/5/2009 4:07:48 AM EDT
|
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/2964/er1serstyq3.gif
copyright by M16lover picture shows an early xm16E1 Lower receiver with partial fence.... earliest evolution step of XMs X stood for ex (x)perimental M16 Evolution #1 this beauty is from early 1965 and used in Vietnam (Central Highlands) first by US Soldiers, then probably by VC or NVA see the gap between the earth shpere and the outer edge of the Colt logo has both AR15 rollmark and "Serial" in front of the number |
|
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8272/bodyxm1965si4.jpg
Picture of the whole beauty.... also see the markings at the selector..old Colt markings "Colt`s Patent Fire Arms MFG CO" its been changed later when Colt was sold to an investor to Colt`s firearms Division..... |
|
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7008/1965xm176tpartfencexv5.jpg
another view to the beauty.....ejection port cover wasen`t installed and you might mention that the barrel is missing.....yes....in Europe the barrel is the weapon and because its a war weapon the barrel and bolt are sth very much forbidden...or has to be demilitarized....but who could have the guts to destroy an original old barrel?....so better left it resting in peace where is was and saved only the rest of that beauty...looooooooooooooooong time ago. |
|
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7531/er2serxgl5.jpg
copyright M16lover 2nd evolutionary step XM16E1 built in 1967 and used in Vietnam still showing Ar15 rollmark and word "Serial" in front of the number but as you might see the gap between sphere and edge of the Colt logo is gone...this Xm showed a full fence and has got an X behind the serial number.....never found out why.... |
|
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/3237/er3serxb0.jpg
built 1967 M16A1 next evolution shows still the AR15 rollmark and the "Serial" in front of the number but the "experimental" status was then changed to a full fence M16A1 |
|
http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/5963/22667550gc7.jpg
1968 then the "Serial" was gone and it showerd only AR15, M16A1 and a number |
|
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6443/coltsfirearmsdivisionfs9.jpg
somewhere in 1969 the rollmarks at the selector changed too |
|
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8752/71047548xe0.jpg
final image as from around 1970 on....no more AR15 and Colt logo is centered thought as I have gained lots of good information here it was time to contribute some infos too... hope you all appreciate it ....tribute to Colt and Stoner and his crew... |
|
Quoted:
copyright M16lover 2nd evolutionary step XM16E1 built in 1967 and used in Vietnam still showing Ar15 rollmark and word "Serial" in front of the number but as you might see the gap between sphere and edge of the Colt logo is gone...this Xm showed a full fence and has got an X behind the serial number.....never found out why.... This is interesting. To my knowledge nobody has ever before reported observing a full fence lower with the XM16E1 markings (or M16A1 markings with a partial fence lower), leading to the speculation that the receiver change was timed with the M16A1 adoption and was maybe the ONE transition that Colt executed rigidly. Apparently though, even this one is now muddy. |
|
when I holded that Xm in my hands long time ago having a full fence I also wondered a lot ...until that moment I thought all Xms would have partial fence....
but obviously the "X" behind the Serial # had a meaning...maybe a very rare transitional model as the serial # indicates its been one of the last XMs done... at that finding also was included a full fence lower in a hard anodized greenish finish with NO markings at all..only a serial number of around 12000...BUT clearly NOT a 601 or so ( full fence and at these times there were - at least to my opinion - NO other manufacturers around....exept Olin and GM anybody any idea? some other things I wonder and cannot totally agree with writings in books. I personally have seen may M16s in the late 80ies early 90ies in Vietnam that have been left by the Troops...I never saw a so called "Xm" buffer....all were same as nowadays...and I never saw myself any upper without forward assist. the finish of the lowers was also controversal.....mostly as you can see rollmarks were the nicest at the old models (deep and sharp) and finish was almost 100% "Colt gray" but I also have an XM that is clearly "blackish" hard anodized...and there have been some with a kinda bue overpainting or so.... I guess when they were worn and thus a bit reflecting sunlight they were overpainted in black. Ex NVA and VC soldiers by the way told me in 91 that they really feared the gun and its wounds and that in matters of function it wasen`t as bad as the image said... |
|
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6850/img5958cp9.jpg
first manufacturer markings as mentioned before...have seen until serials reaching 1.83Mio ... |
AR Sponsor