Another Holiday, so here is another guide.  

Since Colt did not make their own handguards and used multiple vendors, and handguards are frequently replaced on USGI rifles this is a real tough subject to pin down.  I don't have dates on these, but do see five distinct variations.  This does not come close to covering all the details, but give you and idea:

Type A, these are brown fiberglass.  After the first 100 rifles or so were made Colt started painting them green.  Far as I know all 8,500 of the Model 601's that AF General LeMay purchased were all painted green.  Same story with the 1,000 601's purchased for Project AGILE.  Note the highlighted area and red markings:



Close up of highlighted area:



Type B, now black impregnated.  Starting in 1963 with the Colt Model 602 the furniture is black.  These handguards are the same shape as the Type A, note that the highlighted area is the same as the earlier guard:



Both Type A and B handguards are frequently marked with red markings on the heat shields (Type B shown):



Type C is the same as Type B but now has a new shape in the highlighted area:



Close up of highlighted area:



Type D, same as C but now with "drain holes" added to the heat shields:



Type E handguard heat Shields are marked L and R for.  There is numerous variations of these types of handguards and I am far from figuring them out:



A2 handguards were used on the A2 and the A4.  They range from matte to gloss.  At this point I am thinking that the gloss ones are replacement parts rather then factory original.



This A2 handguard is marked DO NOT REMOVE, mold marks are present at every circle (highlighted).  Note placement of bend in shield:




This handguard is not marked DO NOT REMOVE, mold marks are present at every other circle (highlighted).  Note placement of bend in shield:



This A2 handguard is marked DO NOT REMOVE, mold marks are present at every circle (highlighted).  Note placement of bend in shield is at a different spot then the other two pictured above:



Starting in 1999 the heatshield tabs were glued to the handguards:

NOT PICTURED

great work!

that is some museum you have there!

Where's the MATTEL logo?



. . . . just kidding.


Do you have any pics of the (outside) brown fiberglass?

Great post.

Quoted: Where's the MATTEL logo? . . . . just kidding. Do you have any pics of the (outside) brown fiberglass? Great post.

Quoted: great work! that is some museum you have there!

The handguard collection is a bit ridiculous, need to get rid of some of this stuff, but have to get it "documented" first.  

Quoted: Where's the MATTEL logo? . . . . just kidding. Do you have any pics of the (outside) brown fiberglass? Great post.

Funny, never seen the Mattel logo, but have heard allot about them.

Got pics of them with half the paint wore off, would that work?

Got pics of them with half the paint wore off, would that work?

Yes !

Found while surfing ar15.com  . . . .

Quoted: Found while surfing ar15.com  . . . . img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/right_close.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/shooting3.jpg

Have not dug up my pics yet, but those are better then any I had.

Lancelot/QUib,

Can we get this great post tacked please???

Quoted: Lancelot/QUib, Can we get this great post tacked please???

Actually, I'd like to see this thread and the buttstock thread combined as a Retro Furniture thread, and tacked.

Nice work, BTW!

These two threads are just rough drafts, will put the content of both in the "Colt's USGI M16 series variation guide edition III" thread once they have ran there course.

BTT

The Ceiner SP1 beltfed pics were taken by Amphibian at the Trail's End Range(I think) a few of years ago. I know 'cause I was there with him that day.
Pat
0-1-25

Just to keep things interesting, here is an earlier version of the handguards.  Top is first production brown, bottom is green paint, or "A":




Notice that the heatshield is different.

Here is Ekie II helping with a photo shoot:

Quoted: Do you have any pics of the (outside) brown fiberglass?

Quoted: Here is Ekie II helping with a photo shoot: img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/Ekie12091941/guardssmall09.jpg

Lucky SOB, would you like to adopt another?  ar15inmn would make a good step son!

Nice pic!

Quoted: Quoted: Do you have any pics of the (outside) brown fiberglass?

WOW

Thanks for posting that.

Is that one that You own,  or a picture you found?

I'd love to buy some furniture like that.

Got any more pics ?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Do you have any pics of the (outside) brown fiberglass? img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/Ekie12091941/601stuff19.jpg WOW Thanks for posting that. Is that one that You own,  or a picture you found? I'd love to buy some furniture like that. Got any more pics ?

Yep, just got the set, more pics here:

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=123&t=301057&page=1

Quoted: Quoted: Here is Ekie II helping with a photo shoot: img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/Ekie12091941/guardssmall09.jpg Lucky SOB, would you like to adopt another?  ar15inmn would make a good step son! Nice pic!

Im the lucky one.