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I had the chance to take some photos of a very early Colt SP1 bolt carrier and another Colt SP1 bolt carrier from a s/n 52xxx rifle. My question - did the Colt AR-15 Sporter Rifle (SP1) ever use a chromed bolt carrier ?Attachment 23343Attachment 23344
Earliest ones were slick sided (no FA notches) with phosphate finish. Colt discontinued chrome bolt carriers early in Model 603/XM16E1 production shortly around 1964, long before 1967 when they standardized on M16A1. A few sporters were produced in the 1963-64 range, though, and they may have had a chrome carrier.
The SP1 carrier with the chromed bolt is from a three digit serial numbered SP1, have checked three different four digit SP1 Rifles too, none found with the chromed carrier. Also checked the Colt AR-15 Sporter Rifle Operations & Maintenance manual where serial number 100 is pictured, also without the chromed carrier. There could be some around but just never found one !
Is there anything that screams that it is Colt? Olympic Arms SGW used chrome bolts and carriers. The finish looks like Olympic to me. Maybe the bolt was replaced???
I have a three digit SP1, and while the bolt is chrome, the carrier is not. Every piece on it checked out as original.
The way the sear-trip part is cut away less than the later carrier does show it to be earliest Colt. In Black rifle II, pp. 303-4, Bartocci states that the very first Sporters had full sear-trip carriers that were chromed but I have never seen any. I'm not sure I believe it.
I checked the "Retro Black Rifle.com" data base and SP1 database on the AR15.com retro forum. A three digit SP1, serial no. 56X has slick side parked carrier and chrome bolt (it also had a 1/14 barrel!. Early 603/XM16E1s had chrome BCGs, then went to chrome bolt about 1965, then switched to all parked BCGs. That would match up to a 3 digit SP1 born on date.
Here are some photos of a Colt AR-15 Sporter Rifle (SP1) with a 7xx serial number, the barrel is stamped 12 (1x12 twist) I find that interesting that a 5xx serial had a 1 in 14 twist. Mr Peppers is your three digit marked 12 on the barrel ?
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Yes. It is marked on the bottom of the barrel just as shown in your photograph. The barrel also has the Colt Verified Proof with an upside down M between the sight base rings.Quote:
Originally Posted by RCS
Johnny Peppers, Thanks for checking your three digit Colt SP1. RCS
As far as XM16E1's here is my experience. I was with the 82d and we were issued the XM16E1 circa Feb/Mar of 65. (We deployed to Domincan Republic circa April 29) I heard that the 101st and the 1st Cav (late name) were also being issued. The bolts and carriers and all related parts were chromed. The 173d also had these early rifles which the unit brought to Vietnam in May of 65.
We were also issued cleaning rods with 1964 contract dates circa Oct, Nov. The bipods were double lock pin types, not peened. I always thought the production period of the rifles was from late 1964, due to the serial numbers. We had heard about getting these rifles several months before they arrived and from what I was told, all units got them at the same time.
We were warned about the Waffle Magazines and ordered to turn in any that were issued. I saw none at all while in the service. I have seen and owned several from gun shows over the years. I have two different versions.
I purchased a Colt AR 15 / SP 1 rifle #01709 on March 2, 1965 from Greeley Arms Co., Inc., Cedar Grove, NJ. It had a chrome bolt and bolt carrier assembly. I believe I traded it off in 1971.