Posted: 10/14/2002 6:52:56 AM EDT
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Does anyone understand how Colt assigned their serial numbers? Did they do it in "blocks" or did they stamp the number on a receiver then through it into a bin to be assembled and model marked later? Another thread resparked this question that has nagged at me for some time. I ask this because my Colt Match Sporter HBAR (#6601) has a slab side lower, typical blue label receiver markings yet wears serial number SP249xxx. In the NRA's book Semi-Auto Rifles: Data & Comment there are two AR15A2's they tested in the American Rifleman. Included in both articles are very clear pictures of the left side of the receiver and markings. Both are AR15A2's. One is a Sporter ll with the SP1 upper and lower receivers. It is numbered SP301011. The other is marked AR15A2 HBAR Sporter with the A2 upper on a slab-side lower (this one is identical to my rifle except for the receiver markings) and is numbered SP215677. Thus the rifle with the "early" A2 features has the higher serial number, the rifle with the lowest serial number has the proper A2 features, and my Blue label Match Sporter rifle has a serial number right in the middle of the other two. Any one really know why??? p.s. I bought my rifle new in June '90 and still have the box, etc. I am the original owner. |
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A very good question. Without some insight this one is sort of tough to answer. Luckily I spoke to BB at Colt about this subject several years ago and this is how he put it. Colt used to assemble AR15's right amongst government production M16A2's. Actually the practice began quite some time prior but Colt, due to its available labor pool, used to plan on delivering a set amount of weapons to the civilian market. They did not care how many were actualy wanted. At that time there was no Assualt rifle scare. And Colt had always been able to depend on government contracts as their bread and butter. So Colt went ahead and manufactured an abundance of lowers based on the "Planned" weapons delivery schedule. There were a ton of SP-1's out there and demand was nowhere like today's. That's why there some weapons made in 89 that have SP2xx,xxx serial numbers. You have to look at it from Colt's financial aspect. Once the cry was heard at the factory (and said management woke up) Colt started increasing the production rate to keep those union workers busy and the revenue comming in. Also tied into this is the fact the the Union decided to strike and the cost of weapons assembly was going to increase. This is somewhat crude in explanation but does cover the "Why's" Colt behaved like they did. |
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There is very little significance to the letters Colt used to prefix their serial numbers. Your "SL" prefix is probably a late "blue label" prefix used after the "SP" prefix my early "blue label" gun has. The "SP" prefix is also used by the earlier "green label" rifles - the AR15A2's and the earlier SP1 rifles. Here are a couple of serial number lists; Old AR15.com serial number list and Biggerhammer Serial number list Also here is an explanation for the label colors; Label colors The is a lot of info at the Biggerhammer AR15 FAQ Hopes this helps you out some. And BTW, welcome aboard Keith. |