Question on Colt SP1 Sporter Rifle bolt carrier

[RCS]

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

Information

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[imarangemaster]

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.

[RCS]

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 !

[Bill Hollinger]

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???

[Johnny Peppers]

I have a three digit SP1, and while the bolt is chrome, the carrier is not. Every piece on it checked out as original.

[Roscoe Snyder]

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.

[imarangemaster]

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.

[RCS]

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 ?

Attachment 23376Attachment 23377Attachment 23378

[Johnny Peppers]

Mr Peppers is your three digit marked 12 on the barrel ?

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.

[RCS]

Johnny Peppers, Thanks for checking your three digit Colt SP1. RCS