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Posted: 11/18/2016 11:26:31 AM EDT
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I used to have a timelines list with dates for the various M16 handguards, but I have lost it. I have tried every Google search that I can think of, but can't seem to find it. Can anyone provide a source to help me re-create my list:
Type A brown handguard ? - ? Type B handguard green paint over brown Bakelite ? - ? Type C handguard (same as type B, but black) 1963 - ? Type D handguard with NO so-called drain holes ? - ? Type E handguards with so-called drain holes ? - ? Type F handguards with R & L markings ? - ? Thanks |
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Quoted:
There differences could just be something that varied at the factory. I think the drain hole was just a placement indicator for mfg related reasons. Jhud; I agree with you on the "drain hole" not being a drain hole, and instead a placement indicator. That is why I said "so called' drain hole. Kind of like the notch on early dog tags wasn't REALLY for locking them in teeth, but instead was used on an indexing pin on the first model dog tag machines. However, so many drill instructors told new recruits that fallacy, that many will argue the "fact" until their faces turn blue. The holes in handguards have been called "drain holes' so much that this inaccuracy will probably never go away. Back to the differences in handguards that I noted above, there IS A DEFINATE Timeline for the various versions. The timeline is not written in stone, but it IS great for approximating which handguards are correct for which builds. The only firm date I have so far, is that the type C handguards came out in 1963 for use on 602's. Tom |
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Quoted:
Jhud; I agree with you on the "drain hole" not being a drain hole, and instead a placement indicator. That is why I said "so called' drain hole. Kind of like the notch on early dog tags wasn't REALLY for locking them in teeth, but instead was used on an indexing pin on the first model dog tag machines. However, so many drill instructors told new recruits that fallacy, that many will argue the "fact" until their faces turn blue. The holes in handguards have been called "drain holes' so much that this inaccuracy will probably never go away. Back to the differences in handguards that I noted above, there IS A DEFINATE Timeline for the various versions. The timeline is not written in stone, but it IS great for approximating which handguards are correct for which builds. The only firm date I have so far, is that the type C handguards came out in 1963 for use on 602's. Tom Quoted:
Quoted:
There differences could just be something that varied at the factory. I think the drain hole was just a placement indicator for mfg related reasons. Jhud; I agree with you on the "drain hole" not being a drain hole, and instead a placement indicator. That is why I said "so called' drain hole. Kind of like the notch on early dog tags wasn't REALLY for locking them in teeth, but instead was used on an indexing pin on the first model dog tag machines. However, so many drill instructors told new recruits that fallacy, that many will argue the "fact" until their faces turn blue. The holes in handguards have been called "drain holes' so much that this inaccuracy will probably never go away. Back to the differences in handguards that I noted above, there IS A DEFINATE Timeline for the various versions. The timeline is not written in stone, but it IS great for approximating which handguards are correct for which builds. The only firm date I have so far, is that the type C handguards came out in 1963 for use on 602's. Tom There are two types of no drain hole HGs too ones made of the material like the C stock with red letters on the inside. They are rarer and I think we're meant for the 602. |
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Quoted:
There are two types of no drain hole HGs too ones made of the material like the C stock with red letters on the inside. They are rarer and I think we're meant for the 602. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
There differences could just be something that varied at the factory. I think the drain hole was just a placement indicator for mfg related reasons. Jhud; I agree with you on the "drain hole" not being a drain hole, and instead a placement indicator. That is why I said "so called' drain hole. Kind of like the notch on early dog tags wasn't REALLY for locking them in teeth, but instead was used on an indexing pin on the first model dog tag machines. However, so many drill instructors told new recruits that fallacy, that many will argue the "fact" until their faces turn blue. The holes in handguards have been called "drain holes' so much that this inaccuracy will probably never go away. Back to the differences in handguards that I noted above, there IS A DEFINATE Timeline for the various versions. The timeline is not written in stone, but it IS great for approximating which handguards are correct for which builds. The only firm date I have so far, is that the type C handguards came out in 1963 for use on 602's. Tom There are two types of no drain hole HGs too ones made of the material like the C stock with red letters on the inside. They are rarer and I think we're meant for the 602. Yes, you are referring to the type C handguards I listed above. They came out in 1963 for the 602's. |
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Quoted:
Yes, you are referring to the type C handguards I listed above. They came out in 1963 for the 602's. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
There differences could just be something that varied at the factory. I think the drain hole was just a placement indicator for mfg related reasons. Jhud; I agree with you on the "drain hole" not being a drain hole, and instead a placement indicator. That is why I said "so called' drain hole. Kind of like the notch on early dog tags wasn't REALLY for locking them in teeth, but instead was used on an indexing pin on the first model dog tag machines. However, so many drill instructors told new recruits that fallacy, that many will argue the "fact" until their faces turn blue. The holes in handguards have been called "drain holes' so much that this inaccuracy will probably never go away. Back to the differences in handguards that I noted above, there IS A DEFINATE Timeline for the various versions. The timeline is not written in stone, but it IS great for approximating which handguards are correct for which builds. The only firm date I have so far, is that the type C handguards came out in 1963 for use on 602's. Tom There are two types of no drain hole HGs too ones made of the material like the C stock with red letters on the inside. They are rarer and I think we're meant for the 602. Yes, you are referring to the type C handguards I listed above. They came out in 1963 for the 602's. I have never owned one but I know somebody who has a set. I'd like to own a set. The regular no drain hole hand guards are hard to find lately. |
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Never referred to them by letters but sounds good.
Not really sure on time frame of what is referred type A & B except approximately1961ish to 1963. Mostly distinguished by original bakelite to green paint transitioning to black paint / dye over green paint. Until late in the 01 run I believe serials were some what chronological so could probably narrow it a bit but a bakelite regardless of what paint is on it is pretty much that and probably from the initial production run whomever actually had it. Heat shields are different and could be as simple as two different sub contractors making them with what ever materials were readily available hence different color printing on sheets. Dye colors may mean something to metal fabricators or possibly a grading I don't know. I know the heat shields can be a little different internally and I've seen the early black what we will call type Cand D no drain holes with red, green, blue and yellow dye used on the sheets of aluminum that were used for heat shield material and different shield cut as in Elkie guide. Pretty sure Elkie only shows rightside and left heat shield is a little different generally. These were in production approximately from 1964 until 1968. So called drain holes without left or right stamp 1968ish exclusive. So called drain hole with left and right stamp 1969 forward. I believe 1987 is the latest NIW package date I remember seeing. |
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