ID of this sectional steel cleaning rod. Early M16?

[Steve762]

Recently added this sectional steel cleaning rod to my gear bag.
Question: Is it an example of early M16 US issue cleaning equipment? One of the rod sections is knurled. Thx

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I think that's a civilian rod. I have one here and never saw them used in service...or heard of them surplus...

[RCS]

I have a cleaning rod like your photo, I believe it is for the Colt SP1 rifle from the early period.

FM 23-9 RIFLE, 5.56-MM, XM16E1 has a picture of a cleaning rod on page 8, it is different and has a larger handle

[BEAR]

Yep, what RCS said. I got one with my SP1 I purchased in 1971. Absolutely hated that thing so I got a USGI cleaning kit and threw the other one away.

BEAR (BDY)

[browningautorifle]

So these were made for the civilian market for the SP1? Instead of the issue type? I guess they thought we wouldn't have the chamber brushes anyway so we didn't need the handle to act as a "T" for twisting the rod section in the chamber...I better dig mine out. I think it's still around here. I think I also have a short section to mate a civilian jag or brush to the rod. Military brushes and jags have a long threaded portion compared to civilian contemporaries...example shown being the civilian thread.

[Steve762]

I did not show the brushes. The rod came with a bore brush and USGI M16 style chamber brush both with the civilian thread.

[browningautorifle]

The rod came with a bore brush and USGI M16 style chamber brush both with the civilian thread.

Yes...the military fit but stand out by half way.

[imarangemaster]

Colt is still selling that rod for their 6420s. I picked up one. It is close to the original cleaning rod (pre-folding T handle), but not quite the same. Those were, IIRC, 5 shorter segments and fit in the outside pocket of the Xm3 canvas bi-pod pouch.