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Posted: 9/15/2012 6:26:34 PM EDT
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Thanks a lot guys, I guess the finish was what threw me off, It didn't look like something Colt would do, and it never even crossed my mind that it might not be the factory finish.
The pin holes are whatever size is current as it pins up to my other lowers. Is the port door correct for the upper? thanks again |
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Quoted:
Thanks a lot guys, I guess the finish was what threw me off, It didn't look like something Colt would do, and it never even crossed my mind that it might not be the factory finish. The pin holes are whatever size is current as it pins up to my other lowers. Is the port door correct for the upper? thanks again Nope, the door is a modern style one. |
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Did colt make 604 uppers with a splintered A forge mark? I was leaning toward a more modern commercial upper, maybe Bushmaster or DPMS. I could be wrong tho...
I've never seen one and if Colt did it would need the C with it. DPMS definately did! There is no splintered A on OP pic edited. Don't see the Colt proofs either but they are probably under the refinish. Upper looks pretty good when lightened up a bit. Enlarge, color, brightness. |
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Is there a link to learn more about forge marks? (key hole, square, splintered A etc etc?)
eta I know proof marks would be stampings that could be covered by a refinish, forge marks are raised and done in the forging proscess, but would like to know where I could get info on both. If they're on retroblackrifle I missed them |
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Quoted:
Did colt make 604 uppers with a splintered A forge mark? I was leaning toward a more modern commercial upper, maybe Bushmaster or DPMS. I could be wrong tho... I've never seen one and if Colt did it would need the C with it. DPMS definately did! There is no splintered A on OP pic edited. Don't see the Colt proofs either but they are probably under the refinish. Upper looks pretty good lighten up. Ah, I guess there is a shadow there or something. If you click on the pic and look at it in photobucket, it kinda looks like there is, or was, a light forge mark there. Thanks for clarifying. |
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Is there a link to learn more about forge marks? (key hole, square, splintered A etc etc?)
Just search M-16 forge codes. Every other link will have a list or someone will post the link shortly I'm sure. Colt's are gonna have a C and then the foundry it was purchased from. Early models have no forge code and usually black rebated lugs. Later models have codes such as CK, CM and CH. K=Kaiser, M= Martin Marietta, H=Anchor Harvey. These are the important ones but list will show most all of them. Probably 15-20. |
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btw looking at it in person, see no sign of forge marks (in the side/rear recess area of the carry handle) or partially filled in proof marks in front of the port door (that is where they'd be correct?)
(edit) thanks cd, that's all I was looking for was a quick and dirty version) |
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If it were a replacement upper it would have no proof marks.
This! OP are the lugs for pins black and are the threads for barrel nut black possibly a different shade than the rest. Can't tell from pic after lightening enough to look at it with photo editor. Round forge 604 replacement receivers and arsenal refinish receivers are not uncommon. Figure those are over 40 yrs old and have been through lots of hands more than likely. The A-2 door smells of civillian handling also. |
| It's really pretty nice from what I can see and just a port door away. Some parts cost no more than any others and some do. Even if you had scarfed up all the bargain priced retro parts they would more than likely still be long gone. Really kinda neat that they have a place to be bought and sold for huge coins today. Probably a refinish/re-arsenal. Most of them are. One way to find out would be strip it but it looks too good for that IMO. Since the price was definately right you really have nothing there to lose. |
| I already have 2 essential arms lowers, but they have HUGE safe/fire markings, so I wanna strip and fill those. More than likely I'll strip this and finish it to match. Not sure how detail oriented I'll go, but I def wanna use a chrome slick side carrier. I also have another A1 upper, but it has a FA and case deflector. The more I learn about all the details of everything makes me wanna just build something "retroish" of all the parts I like the most. Learn, collect and go NDS/all out after I know/have more. |
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Buy an NDS lower and I warn you, you may never be satisfied with anything else. I had two nice lowers - one was an RRA, I think the other was a Delton - after I got my first NDS I really started looking at them. Assembled one, then assembled another NDS. The tolerances are just so much tighter, and the quality of the machining so much better. I sold both lowers without using them.
I usually buy blems now - I got one with a casting flaw under the pistol grip. So what? I'm not putting down your Essential Arms lowers - especially if they are the earlier cast ones - those are preban and you could sell them and actually come out ahead. Just a thought. I was about to buy an Essential Arms lower when NDS came onto the scene. I waited to hear how people felt about their stuff, well, I'm an NDS Kool-aid drinker now for sure. 
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| Nothing wrong with the EA lowers. They were the deal before NDS. As stated you could easily sell one and buy two NDS with coins left for parts in a preban state. I use lowers I have on hand usually but would only consider NDS on an early high coin build. Your suggested build plans sound perfect. |
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I never thought much about the EA uppers I have because of the ugly safe/fire markings. Because of that they've just sat in the safe waiting for a project to come along. I do believe these are preban now that it's mentioned. They definitely have the low shelf (as does a DPMS rifle I have) that's indicative of being preban right? (or at least it was up until a certain time? Anyone care to clarify on that?
Just when ya think ya know some stuff...... eta, I know what you're saying Morg, I'm kinda afraid of that, a friend of mine has 12 NDS builds! edit Quoted: the low shelf (as does a DPMS rifle I have) that's indicative of being preban right? (or at least it was up until a certain time? Anyone care to clarify on that?
Answering my own question with what I think to be facts. The low shelf indicated preban until after the AWB sunset technically as early as 2004, but I believe they didn't start showing up again till around 2008, my 2008 Spikes lowers were high shelf, but low shelf spikes lowers came out soon after. I think it took a little while for the AR15 hobby to pick back up and get into full swing before manufacturers were convinced it was legal, helpful and the right thing to do. |
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