http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/LTVN68/newsmaller2.jpg

Copy and paste link please, I don't know how to make it live.

Serial Number: SP 229XXX.  First model Sporter?

"Upper receiver: markings, "C," "M," added
Lower receiver: markings "SER.SP" replaces
"SER"'and a new company name......"

"In the early 1980's Colt
made some "COLTGUARD" finished AR's in the 200,000
serial number range. Coltguard is an electroless nickel finish."

Is this that finish? It has been in a safe for 20 years and has less than 50 rounds thru it. Purchased early 80's.......one owner.  Any idea of value? .  No fence/slab sided gun. 1/7 C MP 20" barrel, round handguards.

My sincere thanks for the knowledge of the experts on this board!!!

You have a Sporter II that is worth around $1,000-$1,100 in pristine condition.  The Coltguard electroless nickel finish was found on SP1s in the 202XXX range.

Thank you Raptor 22. Is there a definitive article somewhere on the various serial numbers and models?  I found a couple of articles, but they were not very complete.

Interesting, your Sporter II came with the A2 rear sight & upper, mine has the old fashioned rear sight.

Quoted: Interesting, your Sporter II came with the A2 rear sight & upper, mine has the old fashioned rear sight.

The first run or so of Sporter ll's used the SP1 upper receivers in addition to the lower receivers. Production of A2 uppers was tied up filling military contracts. Essetially you have an SP1 with A2 furniture. LTVN68's is a later production Sporter ll.