Anybody ever seen a H&R M-16A1 Government marked lower?

[Andouille]

Genuine H&R and US Property marked M16A1 here:

http://www.autoweapons.com/photosn/photosdec04/880m16.html

[tshaw]

I was issued three M16s during my time in the Army, a Colt, Hydra-Matic and H&R. I also remember the half drum cleaning during basic. During our final weapons inspection everyone was crowded around the drum fighting over space and cleaning rods trying to get out of there. The D.I's kept rejecting all rifles and sending them back for more cleaning, I got tired of waiting for space around the drum so I went into the barracks and turn the water on as hot as it would go took my rifle apart and ran it thru the hot water at full force, oiled her up and took her to the arms room, got a compliment from from the D.I. in charge on such a clean weapon. I just waved goodbye to all the guys huddled around the drum as I left!
Terry

[jonnyo55]

The rifle pictured in Andouille's post shows no serial number in the expected place, while the rifle pictured in the earlier post has a three digit (208?) number, which seems too low for a rifle of that era. Did H&R's lack receiver serial numbers, or were they located in a different place? After the M1903 numbering fiasco (SA and RIA rifles sharing the same number), I doubt whether H&R would have been permitted to start at zero...

[fjruple]

The rifle pictured in Andouille's post shows no serial number in the expected place, while the rifle pictured in the earlier post has a three digit (208?) number, which seems too low for a rifle of that era. Did H&R's lack receiver serial numbers, or were they located in a different place? After the M1903 numbering fiasco (SA and RIA rifles sharing the same number), I doubt whether H&R would have been permitted to start at zero...

jonnyo55--

It looks like someone photoshopped out the serial number in the picture. The serial number should be in the same place as with the Colts. I saw the mil spec drawing for markings of the M16A1 and the serial number should be under the Caliber 5.56mm marking. I believe the H&R M16A1 was assigned the 2,000,000 serial number range with 2,220,000 being the highest known serial. The GM Hydromatic Division was assigned the 3,000,000 serial number range. I believe not all of the 3,000,000 serial number range was used as well.

--fjruple

[smle-man]

Not rare at all.

[noslack327]

297th Mi phoenix az in the 1980's all of ours were H&R's

[noslack327]

When I was at Fort Devens in 1969 we still had M14's, Company C 18th Eng Bn (CBT).

[ElWoodman]

We had two at Marine Barracks USNS Roosevelt Roads, PR.

[parrirc]

I was issued a HRA M16A1 in 1975 at Ft. Knox, KY. I was attending ROTC Basic Camp. Weapon was loose between the upper and lower receivers. No telling how many times that weapon was issued and rebuilt before being issued to me. Weapon shot OK but I have shot many M16s in later years that shot better. I'm sure it was due to wear from much use. However that weapon never failed to function when fired. I retired out of the USAR with over 28 good years in 2008. Enjoyed the posts.

[GA-Dave]

Here's one:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=522347813

[westgard]

There are actually a few of these that are legally in the hands of private citizens as fully transferable MG's. They came out of the H&R bankruptcy when they sold off their museum collection. There were some M16s as well as M14s that were sold. They went to a Class III dealer named RJ Perry, and then were sold off. The one on gunbroker may be one of these, however, there are also some legal rewelds that were made that while expensive, would not command the same price that an original museum gun would.

[RED]

There are actually a few of these that are legally in the hands of private citizens as fully transferable MG's. They came out of the H&R bankruptcy when they sold off their museum collection. There were some M16s as well as M14s that were sold. They went to a Class III dealer named RJ Perry, and then were sold off. The one on gunbroker may be one of these, however, there are also some legal rewelds that were made that while expensive, would not command the same price that an original museum gun would.

It is interesting that this thread is still alive. All the H&R rifles pictured in these posts are different than the one I owned for over 15 years. The one from Gunbroker just doesn't look quite right, especially for a new, never issued, never fired weapon. The one with the low serial number is likely a REWAT. No serial number? That one would have never been allowed into the registry without one. Oh, BTW the guy that said they are common, is not correct.

My rifle was a VERY good reweld. So good that at the Knob Creek shoot, some of the class III elite challanged me to proove it was a reweld instead of asking me to proove it was real! The only non technical way to do that was to remove the pistol grip which reveadled ten tiny letters, "J.STOEMPLE." I transferred the lower to my son in 2008. He sold it in 2012 for $20k plus. Not bad for a piece I bought for $1,200.

[westgard]

That is actually a great price IMHO that you got for the gun. I agree, if we are talking about transferable H&R M16's, they are rare as hen's teeth. The military probably have/had oodles of them kicking around though...

[Fred Pillot]

A buddy did a sun fade test on some black anodizing. After a year of hanging outside it was definitely purple.

[Weez556]

We had many H&R M-16A1's in my unit back in the 1990's . Mine was not mine was a Hydra-Matic Div.GM Corp. Wish I had a photo of that.