Exactly what did colt use for the finish on their pre-ban guns.  I have one that is grey black and one that is much lighter in color. Just wondering.  Thanks.

Both of yours should be anodized. Colt just had various shades over the years.

Early pieces had a finish that was very close to WW2 parkerizing; kind of a greeniish gray. Got a very late M16A1 milsurp upper assy last year that is close enough to the current dark finished pieces that it goes on a current AR lower without any siginificant difference in coloration.

My late 1970's SP1 has a color slightly darker than the early Air Force M16 upper I have.  As noted above, Colt has used a variety of colors to anodize their pieces.

thanks for the info.

Interesting handle, do I know you? Better yet am I related to you?

Dirk