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Posted: 6/28/2005 11:04:26 PM EDT
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I recently completed my first build to resemble an m16a1. I'm just wonderirng if anyone knows who made my upper. It seems to be a lot darker than the colt gray. Any info would be appreciated. Also there is no "C" on the inside of the upper where the gas tube ends. http://www.teammothball.com/ar15a1-3.JPG http://www.teammothball.com/ar15a1-4.JPG Thanks |
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Not sure what the "no "C" on the inside of the upper where the gas tube ends" means, but I've never seen that on any early receivers. As ex stated, look forward of the ejection port. Colt used to put proof marks there, a "C" in a box and a "C" in a triangle, or something like that. |
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Looks good tequila! What you have is Colt Dark Grey. There was also a lighter grey. Here's something I just whipped up in MS Paint for you.  Look for the "C in a square" or "V in a triange" just above the chamber. I have an early, no forward assist M16 upper with the "C in a square" just above the chamber. My "C" is laying on it's back like pictured. I have a semi auto (SP1) receiver that doesn't have the stamp above the chamber. It has the "C M" forging markings below the rear sight. I really doubt there are any receivers that have both sets of markings, even though it may be inferred by my picture. My semi auto A2 upper has the "C M" forging markings just in front of the rear site assembly. And doesn't have the stamping above the chamber. I hope this helps you out some. If not, hollar. 
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Actually, it's a C in the aquare, and a V in the triangle, and I have never seen an SP1 or any other Colt upper that didn't have them. Granted, they're often so faint that you have to have a strong light and a magnifying glass to spot them, but they are there. In the early days, Colt seems to have gone to some lengths to make the markings on the bolts and uppers of the commercial pieces as unnoticable as possible. I owned my SP1 carbine for nearly 20 years before I noticed the MP C stamped on the bolt. Not really sure why, but who knows why Colt does anything  Anyhow, tequila, if you do spot the proof markings on the front of the upper, just ahead of the ejection port, I'd say you have an extremely early M16A1 upper. Colt didn't put the forge mark and "C" under the rear rear sight until the govt. let contracts to H&R and GM and they had to be able to ID who made what. A number of us have early smoothside M16 uppers w/o the forge marks, but 'til now I' ve never seen nor heard of an A1 upper w/o them. Collector's item???? |
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Ekie- On the front takedown pin hole, it it machined out a bit more on the left side. A little bigger, by like 1mm wide and 2mm deep. Then it's small the rest of the way. As if they drilled the small hole, then went back with a bigger one for like 2mm then backed out. I shined my surefire on the receiver and coudn't see any markings. I can't find a magnifing glass at the moment. But I couldn't see and markings at all with the naked eye. I don't know if this is relevant, but it came witha barrel installed marked C MP B and a "C" on the front sight. I don't know if this is the original barrel. If it is, I hope that might help in determining a time frame. Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate it. I can piece them together, but have no idea about the small things to dating receivers. |
my pivot pin lug is just like that and the upper has the veritas proof above and forward of the ejection port, mine is an M16 upper tho.    there is also the slight bevel on the pivot pin lug early Colt parts weren't marked with a C, there was no point as Colt was the only maker. the barrel sounds period correct, marked for a chrome bore with the B |
I would say that it is for sure a USGI upper, being how the pivot pin hole is drilled. No forge code, and that pivot pin hole tell me 1960's. No markings gives me the idea it is an H&R or a Hydramatic. Like Tweak said, that is a Colt's barrel, but Colt's did not use chrome bores until 1971 or so. |
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