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Posted: 12/23/2018 10:41:33 AM EDT
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Hi folks, I’m curious if anyone has looked at having an 80% lower done with this early style of FN M16A2 engraving:
Attached File This old thread describes it as an electro-engraving in a dot-matrix style font. I remember seeing these in the Army, and it’s pretty ugly, but it would make for a unique M16A2 clone. I’m thinking that laser engraving would probably be the best way to replicate it, but it might end up looking too uniform if it was done that way. Might be easier to just clone a later FN with traditional engraving, but I’m considering cloning the rifle assigned to a friend who died in Iraq, so I might want to do this style if the serial matches up with an earlier production rifle. |
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A long time ago I was issued FN M16A2 SN 7210008, not far from the one pictured I do not remember it having the dot matrix markings. I never thought to take pics of such things at the time. What's bad is I can remember the SN of a rifle I haven't seen in over twenty years, but always get my wedding anniversary off by one day. 
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Thanks for the replies, everyone, and especially for the correct terminology, MirrorMirror. I saw my first A2 in 1995, but back then, I assumed everything was made by Colt. From about 2000-2008, my unit had a mix of A2s and M4s, with just a handful of A4s. I do remember that distinct early marking style on the FN A2s in the mid-2000s (which were probably made in the late ‘90s).
I actually found an old Excel spreadsheet with everyone’s sensitive items listed from my first Iraq deployment, which was neat. I’ve been issued an A4, four M4s, an M4A1, an M11, and more M9s than I can count over the course of my career, so I unfortunately can’t remember them all. |
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Quoted:
A long time ago I was issued FN M16A2 SN 7210008, not far from the one pictured I do not remember it having the dot matrix markings. I never thought to take pics of such things at the time. Quoted:
A long time ago I was issued FN M16A2 SN 7210008, not far from the one pictured I do not remember it having the dot matrix markings. I never thought to take pics of such things at the time. Quoted:
The dot engraving markings were kn the 1st batch of A2’s that FN produced, circa ‘88. SN 7106074 (verified by the roster listing this Soldier's rifle): Attached File Undetermined SN, but probably in a similar range from 710XXXX - 73XXXXX based on the property listings I have. Certainly looks like it could have been around since 1988: Attached File Unfortunately, I think that makes my clone project more challenging, because it looks like it had this style of roll mark (earlier serial number than the first one listed above). It would be really interesting to have an 80% lower done that way, but I think it will be challenging to find someone who can do it. I'm going to start asking around. As I said in the OP, it might be possible to just replicate it with another engraving method to get "the look." |
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From the research I’ve done up to at least 7075982 are dot matrix, the earliest example of the change to engraving was 7136234, and earliest roll mark is 7225211. Now those are just thw serials numbers I’ve seen, if anyone has more info to share it’d be greatly appreciated.
William PS are you saying the A2 pictured serial number 7106074 was dot matrix or engraved? |
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I’m 90% sure that 7106074 has the old dot matrix style lettering. The photo above is full resolution, so I can’t get any closer, but it has the “texture” of the early style lettering. Looking through photos from my old unit, it looks like the A2s were almost all FNs, and they all looked really old in 2005, so I think they could have been among the first ones delivered. They would have been on the Cold War “front” in Germany back in the ‘80s, so that makes sense.
I’m trying to identify the forge codes on their uppers now. They all seem to have the same ones, that I can make out, which look like a raised F on the upper left and a raised Kaiser K or maybe an M on the lower right, on that spot in front of the A2 rear sight. I’ll try to post a photo if I can find a good closeup. |
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Most if not all of the FN A2 uppers were FK, the Cerro and M ones were likely replacement uppers as they were stamped F rather than the forged Kaiser Aluminum, much like the CK, LK and DK ones were during the 80’s as either complete assemblies or replacement parts.
William |
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The more I stare at the great closeups that @MauserMatt posted in the other thread, the more I think I might actually be able to replicate this early style of lettering myself by using a small punch and hammer. I think if I could have the design lightly engraved or trace it onto a blank lower, I could replicate it by tracing the design with the punch. The real FN dot matrix style "engraving" was so irregular that it almost looks like it was done by hand. I may try experimenting with it somehow.
Thanks for the info on the upper forge codes, William. I'm pretty sure the photo below shows the "F K" codes, but a little different placement of them than on any photos I've found online. If I can locate a surplus upper with that matches this style, I'd be thrilled. As I mentioned earlier, it looks like nearly all the rifles from my old unit had this type of upper receiver. Attached File |
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