Colt AR15 and M16 Serial Numbers, 1960-1972. The Model 03 Army Rifle was rollmarked XM16E1 until the rifle was type standardized as M16A1 on 28 Feb 1967. (The nature of mass production being what it is, this rollmark change took place over a period of months.

My own SP1, and all the others I can recall seeing is marked: CAL. 223 MODEL SP1 SER SP92xxx If it has any other markings, it may well be preban, but you can't call it an SP1---even if the serial number starts with 'SP'. The model name or number is whatever is stamped on the gun. For instance, Fruit of the Loom's piece is preban, but it's a 'Sporter Match HBAR', NOT an SP1, even tho the serial starts with SP. I suspect that may be the cause of confusion here. The SP serial number doesn'tmake it an SP1. Being marked SP1 on a line above the serial number makes it an SP1.

Originally Posted By shamayim: My own SP1, and all the others I can recall seeing is marked: CAL. 223 MODEL SP1 SER SP92xxx If it has any other markings, it may well be preban, but you can't call it an SP1---even if the serial number starts with 'SP'. The model name or number is whatever is stamped on the gun. For instance, Fruit of the Loom's piece is preban, but it's a 'Sporter Match HBAR', NOT an SP1, even tho the serial starts with SP.

I suspect that may be the cause of confusion here. The SP serial number doesn'tmake it an SP1. Being marked SP1 on a line above the serial number makes it an SP1. Below is a post that I made earlier to another board. Ps: There was no charge for the info.

Just had a little piece of info that I thought I'd pass along. I've been looking all over the place for info on my baby's date of birth, so I finally gave up and called Colt's ph# (800-962-2658). Slim shady lp itunes torrent free. I spoke to a customer service rep, gave him the model and serial # (SP1 Carbine - #SP1174xx), and he told me it was made in 1980. I hope this helps someone else with one in the same serial # range.