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Posted: 5/8/2004 4:08:40 AM EDT
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Hello everyone I was curious as to who the forger is that uses the stamp that looks like a keyhole, and has three stars inside strung vertically. Also If you can list some of the companys that use this stamp it would be helpful. The barel is a bushy M4gery, and I was told the upper was factory but I have never known BM to use this stamp Bulldawg |
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The keyhole forging mark is Cerro, and it appears they're selling raw forgings to all the major manufacturers... www.cerrofabricated.com/products_firearm.htm edited to add: Bulldawg, my last two Bushmaster uppers which came direct from Bushmaster have the Cerro forging mark... |
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This is a continuous topic of discussion. Two things to remember: #1 There are companies out there that produce raw receiver forgings and sell them as raw forgings to firearm manufacturers. #2 These raw forgings are purchased and finished by the manufacturers and assembled on their product (rifles) and sold. Unless you have a "C AF, C M, C MB, LMT, Les Baer(?)or some other upper with definite manufacturer/finisher ID like that, there is no real guarantee of who finished the receiver unless you have received it directly from a manufacturer. I've had factory Bushmasters and DPMS with the keyhole mark. Supposedly even some Colts have this mark, although I have not seen one in person yet (I think I saw a picture here once). I also have two factory Bushmaster rifles with the broken "A" - Anchor Harvey forging mark. Probably comes down to which forging company has the cheapest/most available raw forgings when the need arises by which manufacturering company needs them at that time. Bushiness is business. So a statement such as "That upper is Bushmaster because it has the keyhole forging mark" or some sililiar statement may not always be correct. |
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Correct. Armalite is unique in that they supply their own forging dies to whichever forging house they have make their raw forgings. Colt did this back in the day when they were the only AR manufacturer, but now they buy raw forgings "off the shelf" like most other manufacturers, as it is more economical to do so. -Troy |
You are correct sir!  
Here is an example for newcomers of a C AF (Colt, Alcoa Forge) marked upper: 
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Ok, CJan, now you are just showing off !! That second upper is the sweet deal you got off of ebay, isn't it !!But seriously, thanks for the great pics and info. I wish there could be one final, authoratative thread to clarify this issue, but I learned this info while building my first few ARs and I am glad to share info with others. |
Showing off?   Yes, that's the eBay upper
I'd love to see a thread like this. There are so many misconceptions on this subject, particularly on auction sites. Edited to add: I can host pics if anyone wants to submit them. |
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