Colt timeline for finishes

[blhar15]

Does anyone have a timeline on the Colt AR-15 / M-16 series rifles and the various finishes used on these?

These seem to have started off a gray color and evolved in to the early 80's in a darker gray anodized finish into a matte black color we have today.

Just wondering if there is a break down somewhere showing what years they used a certain finish to and from.

Thanks

[scottryan]

From 1959 to about 1963 there were two gray finished used on the 601 and 602, a rough textured one and a smooth one.

From about 1964 to about 1971 there was the brownish gray anodizing.

From about 1971 to the early 1980s is what would be called light gray, sometimes has a bluish tint depending on how you eyes perceive color.

From the mid 1980 to the mid 1990s would be a medium gray finish.

1996 ~ 1997 there was a dark gray

1998 to about 2001 would be a charcoal black

2002 to present would be black

There are sub variations of these but this list is pretty comprehensive.

[Safetyhit]

From 1959 to about 1963 there were two gray finished used on the 601 and 602, a rough textured one and a smooth one.

From about 1964 to about 1971 there was the brownish gray anodizing.

From about 1971 to the early 1980s is what would be called light gray, sometimes has a bluish tint depending on how you eyes perceive color.

From the mid 1980 to the mid 1990s would be a medium gray finish.

1996 ~ 1997 there was a dark gray

1998 to about 2001 would be a charcoal black

2002 to present would be black

There are sub variations of these but this list is pretty comprehensive.



Seems as though we are lacking some detail here...

[scottryan]

Seems as though we are lacking some detail here...


What do you mean?

[Safetyhit]

What do you mean?


Just a joke. See what happens when one forgets to use a smiley face?

:)

[Bowser]

wrong thread.