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1/12/2014 6:21:12 PM EDT
Hey all, I posted some pics of this receiver that I just finished
Stripping and I guess it raised a few eyebrows.
This is part of a colt parts kit I traded a friend for,
One of the early kits that came with a colt barrel.
I can't find any identification marks at all.







If you more pics let me know
1/12/2014 6:35:20 PM EDT
[#1]
OK, so it has the rear of the carry handle machined, which is what raised teh eyebrows in the other thread. It also doesn't have a counterbored front lug.......which would make it post 71????   But it has no forge code in the handle, which would certainly make it earlier than what the no counterbore lug would be. Also, not relevent to the receiver itself, but as a parts kit that you would think would be all original parts, the FA is not a Colt original. It looks like one of the DPMS/aftermarket teardrops.
......couple other things I just noticed.......the front of the receiver, where it's machined around/above the threaded tenon...........it was machined with an endmill, where as the originals were machined on a lathe or turning center. Also, the very rear of the receiver, where the carrier goes in......it is machined and a Colt is not.
....also, in the last picture, it looks like the bottom of the carry handle "trough", or "groove" is machined all the way around the frt to intersect with the machined face around the tenon....Colt's aren't.
....the machining on the bottom of the rails doesn't look like Colt's machining.
   I have no idea whos receiver it might be, but I'm pretty sure it isn't Colt.
edit........I may have to retract the statement about the very rear being machined......I went and looked at 5 other 603 receivers I have and they look similer. Similer, but maybe not as sharp cornered.
1/12/2014 6:57:54 PM EDT
[#2]
I think it may be an early LM replacement upper. Seems to me years back I remember someone saying that the very early LMs didn't have forge codes, but that really doesn't make sense, so don't quote me on that. I guess you could search the archives for 'forge codes' and read the many threads on that topic.

The machining looks like something a new supplier would do before they got the hang of things. LMs definitely had a purple hue to most of them. I would say post '71 as well. Interesting. Don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that. Maybe tgus or Ekie will wander in with an explanation.
1/12/2014 7:17:10 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
I think it may be an early LM replacement upper. Seems to me years back I remember someone saying that the very early LMs didn't have forge codes, but that really doesn't make sense, so don't quote me on that. I guess you could search the archives for 'forge codes' and read the many threads on that topic.

The machining looks like something a new supplier would do before they got the hang of things. LMs definitely had a purple hue to most of them. I would say post '71 as well. Interesting. Don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that. Maybe tgus or Ekie will wander in with an explanation.
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Ok ,,,, morg what's LM ?
1/12/2014 7:21:52 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:


Ok ,,,, morg what's LM ?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I think it may be an early LM replacement upper. Seems to me years back I remember someone saying that the very early LMs didn't have forge codes, but that really doesn't make sense, so don't quote me on that. I guess you could search the archives for 'forge codes' and read the many threads on that topic.

The machining looks like something a new supplier would do before they got the hang of things. LMs definitely had a purple hue to most of them. I would say post '71 as well. Interesting. Don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that. Maybe tgus or Ekie will wander in with an explanation.


Ok ,,,, morg what's LM ?

LM would be LAR/Martin Marietta (sp)........not Louis Meyer
Trimdad, your question about the teardrop........originals look similer to yours, but look like they are very worn towards the "outboard" edge. I'm guessing that if you look at yours the grooves on the face of it are cut square where as the Colts were V cut.  I can take a pic in the morning and post up.
1/12/2014 7:55:17 PM EDT
[#5]
Wonder if H&R or GM someone machined the flash off of?  Doesn't look like any Colt or FN I've ever seen.  I'm sure there were more govt subs than LM also.
1/12/2014 8:26:16 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:

LM would be LAR/Martin Marietta (sp)........not Louis Meyer
Trimdad, your question about the teardrop........originals look similer to yours, but look like they are very worn towards the "outboard" edge. I'm guessing that if you look at yours the grooves on the face of it are cut square where as the Colts were V cut.  I can take a pic in the morning and post up.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I think it may be an early LM replacement upper. Seems to me years back I remember someone saying that the very early LMs didn't have forge codes, but that really doesn't make sense, so don't quote me on that. I guess you could search the archives for 'forge codes' and read the many threads on that topic.

The machining looks like something a new supplier would do before they got the hang of things. LMs definitely had a purple hue to most of them. I would say post '71 as well. Interesting. Don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that. Maybe tgus or Ekie will wander in with an explanation.


Ok ,,,, morg what's LM ?

LM would be LAR/Martin Marietta (sp)........not Louis Meyer
Trimdad, your question about the teardrop........originals look similer to yours, but look like they are very worn towards the "outboard" edge. I'm guessing that if you look at yours the grooves on the face of it are cut square where as the Colts were V cut.  I can take a pic in the morning and post up.


I see what you mean, I checked my xm , which I know has a original on
It and it's like you said , worn on the edges  with V type cuts
1/13/2014 2:11:20 AM EDT
[#7]
Whatever it is, that's a pretty sweet upper! My LM upper with forge codes looks nothing like it, other than a little purplish brown showing on the top of the carry handle.
1/13/2014 3:21:52 AM EDT
[#8]
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Quoted:
Whatever it is, that's a pretty sweet upper! My LM upper with forge codes looks nothing like it, other than a little purplish brown showing on the top of the carry handle.
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I'm not saying it is LM - I really shouldn't have mentioned it. Just something I remembered someone saying - I may be remembering wrong. There is some good info in the archives - if I have time later I'll see what I can find. Pretty busy today.
1/13/2014 6:53:55 AM EDT
[#9]
Very cool!
The anodizing also looks different. It looks glossy to me. Could this be something made in the Philippines or another country that produced M16's?
1/13/2014 8:31:14 AM EDT
[#10]
It's a commercial upper, not USGI or Colt. Sendra, SGW, etc. used these uppers. Rear sight arrow is a giveaway. Some had round gas tube holes instead of X shaped. I'd bet there is a little forging 'tit' on the outside edge of the forward assist boss, ya?
1/13/2014 8:58:57 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
It's a commercial upper, not USGI or Colt. Sendra, SGW, etc. used these uppers. Rear sight arrow is a giveaway. Some had round gas tube holes instead of X shaped. I'd bet there is a little forging 'tit' on the outside edge of the forward assist boss, ya?
View Quote


I'll check it as soon as I get home and post some pics
1/13/2014 9:43:53 AM EDT
[#12]
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the giant relief cut behind the threads.
1/13/2014 7:46:14 PM EDT
[#13]
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I'll check it as soon as I get home and post some pics
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Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
It's a commercial upper, not USGI or Colt. Sendra, SGW, etc. used these uppers. Rear sight arrow is a giveaway. Some had round gas tube holes instead of X shaped. I'd bet there is a little forging 'tit' on the outside edge of the forward assist boss, ya?


I'll check it as soon as I get home and post some pics


Well you were right , here it is. It worn and uninformed
So I thought it was a defect .
1/13/2014 9:41:41 PM EDT
[#14]
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I'm surprised no one has mentioned the giant relief cut behind the threads.
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Forgot about that, that's another unique feature to these uppers. I had a few of these, and did a lot of research to figure out where they came from. Found some original Sendras for sale in my searching and this type of upper was on all of them.

Nothing wrong with them from what I can tell, just not military contract.

Oh, forgot to add, those weird no-pad 'prototype-ish' port doors that are floating around came from these uppers.
1/14/2014 2:24:35 PM EDT
[#15]
We'll guys, thanks for the help. Kinda sucks it's not a colt but that's fine.
It good enough for the girls I run with. So I'm still going to use it for my m16
Build, so I cleaned it up a bit


As soon as the lower parts come back from Parkerizing ,
It will be time to assemble and do a nice BFPU job
On it !
1/14/2014 3:28:47 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Quoted:
It's a commercial upper, not USGI or Colt. Sendra, SGW, etc. used these uppers. Rear sight arrow is a giveaway. Some had round gas tube holes instead of X shaped. I'd bet there is a little forging 'tit' on the outside edge of the forward assist boss, ya?
View Quote



So, this leads to the next question... was the finish the Aircraft Stripper removed really that super tough GI arsenal refinish?  I really don't see how it could have been if the upper is determined to be commercial.

John Thomas
1/14/2014 3:52:22 PM EDT
[#17]
That is a good question.. I've messed with a few receivers but none of them,
New or old ever had anything like that on them, and it was thick!
I always assumed it was arsenal because it was part of a colt kit.
I got the kit from a friend and turns out he got it of GB,
So who knows
1/14/2014 3:54:56 PM EDT
[#18]
Now that I took a file to it, someone is going to tell
Me it was some valuable long thought lost tool room piece
That I just ruined!
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