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Posted: 5/16/2014 3:43:30 PM EDT
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Posting in another thread about the SP1 got me thinking (ouch).
Who was the first non Colt AR style rifle (can't BE a AR without a Pony) and when? Maybe Olympic? Did they do A1's or was it after A2's? I distinctly remember a guy hornswaggling me out of a SP1 bolt for a rewelded M16 in 1980, which leads me to think Colt still had a lock on things. Was it just guys whittling them in garages? Who remebers what? |
| Also, PWA (Pac-West Arms) was about the same time as SGW (Schuetzen Gun Works), EA (Essential Arms) and Palmetto. All came out in the 80s. The earlier Palmetto receivers were machine from a solid billet of aluminum, and many had a greenish anodizing over avery smooth finish. As to which was first, I think Palmetto. |
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Is there a tacked thread somewhere on this site about the history of non-Colt ARs? I spend most of my time on the retro forum so I don't know.
Palmetto, anodizing doesn't seem that durable but I like the look on this one: 
SGW marked, wish this one stayed black a little better: 
Machining / parts fitting together is a crapshoot with SGW / Oly, I've got some SGW mags that don't fit for shit! |
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According to Olympic it's SGW. The earliest ones I remember were SGW and Palmetto. SGW's as far back as 78-79.. These would be the crude pre-stop sign receivers.
There may have been a few independent small runs buy private individuals as well. This from the old Oly website: First a little bit about the real steel company. Olympic Arms was initially born as Schuetzen Gun Works (SGW), and was officially established in 1956 in Colorado Springs, USA. Their original focus was on barrels, but slowly evolved to developing a whole line of related parts. The company moved to Olympia, WA in 1975 and proceeded to manufacture barrels and related parts under the SGW name. In 1982, the company officially changed its name to Olympic Arms, Inc. - and followed a new direction in manufacturing AR-15 style components and other military rifle parts. This makes Olympic Arms the second oldest continuous manufacturer of AR-style rifles in the U.S. The lion crest logo was born in 1993 and started to make its way onto AR-15 receivers, replacing the SGW crest and name. Olympic Arms remains one of the leading manufacturers of AR-15 rifles and components. Olympic Arms is also known in the real steel industry for various innovations - including the flattop receiver, the free-floating aluminum handguard, the 9mm conversion, and the AR-based pistol. |
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Quoted:
Posting in another thread about the SP1 got me thinking (ouch). Who was the first non Colt AR style rifle (can't BE a AR without a Pony) and when? Maybe Olympic? Did they do A1's or was it after A2's? I distinctly remember a guy hornswaggling me out of a SP1 bolt for a rewelded M16 in 1980, which leads me to think Colt still had a lock on things. Was it just guys whittling them in garages? Who remebers what? If you're including military rifles it might be Hydramatic or Elisco. |
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Quoted:
According to Olympic it's SGW. The earliest ones I remember were SGW and Palmetto. SGW's as far back as 78-79.. These would be the crude pre-stop sign receivers. There may have been a few independent small runs buy private individuals as well. This from the old Oly website: First a little bit about the real steel company. Olympic Arms was initially born as Schuetzen Gun Works (SGW), and was officially established in 1956 in Colorado Springs, USA. Their original focus was on barrels, but slowly evolved to developing a whole line of related parts. The company moved to Olympia, WA in 1975 and proceeded to manufacture barrels and related parts under the SGW name. In 1982, the company officially changed its name to Olympic Arms, Inc. - and followed a new direction in manufacturing AR-15 style components and other military rifle parts. This makes Olympic Arms the second oldest continuous manufacturer of AR-style rifles in the U.S. The lion crest logo was born in 1993 and started to make its way onto AR-15 receivers, replacing the SGW crest and name. Olympic Arms remains one of the leading manufacturers of AR-15 rifles and components. Olympic Arms is also known in the real steel industry for various innovations - including the flattop receiver, the free-floating aluminum handguard, the 9mm conversion, and the AR-based pistol. My XM177E2 marked Frankford Arsenal CAR(also stamped Olympic) was bought prior to 82. I think Olympic either bought them, or did some assembly for them. Maybe they made the receivers. The Olympic stamping looks like an afterthought, though. The Frankford Arsenal & castle/fort logo are most prominent. |
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Quoted:
My XM177E2 marked Frankford Arsenal CAR(also stamped Olympic) was bought prior to 82. I think Olympic either bought them, or did some assembly for them. Maybe they made the receivers. The Olympic stamping looks like an afterthought, though. The Frankford Arsenal & castle/fort logo are most prominent. Quoted:
Quoted:
According to Olympic it's SGW. The earliest ones I remember were SGW and Palmetto. SGW's as far back as 78-79.. These would be the crude pre-stop sign receivers. There may have been a few independent small runs buy private individuals as well. This from the old Oly website: First a little bit about the real steel company. Olympic Arms was initially born as Schuetzen Gun Works (SGW), and was officially established in 1956 in Colorado Springs, USA. Their original focus was on barrels, but slowly evolved to developing a whole line of related parts. The company moved to Olympia, WA in 1975 and proceeded to manufacture barrels and related parts under the SGW name. In 1982, the company officially changed its name to Olympic Arms, Inc. - and followed a new direction in manufacturing AR-15 style components and other military rifle parts. This makes Olympic Arms the second oldest continuous manufacturer of AR-style rifles in the U.S. The lion crest logo was born in 1993 and started to make its way onto AR-15 receivers, replacing the SGW crest and name. Olympic Arms remains one of the leading manufacturers of AR-15 rifles and components. Olympic Arms is also known in the real steel industry for various innovations - including the flattop receiver, the free-floating aluminum handguard, the 9mm conversion, and the AR-based pistol. My XM177E2 marked Frankford Arsenal CAR(also stamped Olympic) was bought prior to 82. I think Olympic either bought them, or did some assembly for them. Maybe they made the receivers. The Olympic stamping looks like an afterthought, though. The Frankford Arsenal & castle/fort logo are most prominent. Likely made by Oly if stamped above FCG area like the SGW above. I remember in SGN circa 79-84, that Oly was supplying lowers to many companies. U-Stamp 'em kinda thing. |
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Quoted:
If you're including military rifles it might be Hydramatic or Elisco. Quoted:
Quoted:
Posting in another thread about the SP1 got me thinking (ouch). Who was the first non Colt AR style rifle (can't BE a AR without a Pony) and when? Maybe Olympic? Did they do A1's or was it after A2's? I distinctly remember a guy hornswaggling me out of a SP1 bolt for a rewelded M16 in 1980, which leads me to think Colt still had a lock on things. Was it just guys whittling them in garages? Who remebers what? If you're including military rifles it might be Hydramatic or Elisco. No, i meant a commercially available alternative to the SP1 |
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