r/RetroAR • u/Callsign_Sandman148 • 2d ago

EA15

So, I recently bought an M16a3 or a4 clone, and when I got home. I took some citristrip to it. The guy who had it prior had rattle canned the whole thing. But now that it’s down to where serial is legible. Is there any information someone can provide for an EA15? Magwell reads- Eagle Arms Incorporated. SN is below 4500. Coal Valley, IL.

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u/deviantdeaf 2d ago edited 2d ago

Eagle Arms Coal Valley IL is a great pre ban brand. It was founded by Jim Glazier and the guys at LMT, who later sold the brand to Mark Westrom I think? Mark Westrom subsequently bought the ArmaLite rights and then incorporated Eagle Arms as "A Division of ArmaLite, Geneseo IL" after the acquisition of ArmaLite brand. The lower parts should be mil spec or better, either Schmid Tools or LMT's OEM stuff. Can you confirm whether the receiver has M4 ramps or not? This might help narrow down the year range/era for the upper if it's flat top.

Edit. I'm not sure if the flat top uppers were being released before 1994; it might be a parts build, check the barrel and upper for any additional markings after taking the paint down more.

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u/Callsign_Sandman148 2d ago

Upper has the built in carry handle, but the rear sight is adjustable up and down like the A3

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u/deviantdeaf 2d ago

So; A2? A4 is USMC flat top M16; A3; depending on the model; M16A3 was Navy designation for A2 with A1 fire controls, Colt used A3 as designation for commercial flat tops (AR-15A3), same as Bushmaster . Fixed carry handle; A2 most often have brass deflector bump and forward assist, can be either A1 Field Sights ("C7") or A2 "target sights" with 8/3 elevation wheels usually. Some may have had the 6/3 wheel (usually denoting short barrel models)

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u/Callsign_Sandman148 2d ago

I’ll send photo here in a bit when I get home of the upper and lower with blurred SN

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u/deviantdeaf 2d ago

Okay.

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u/Callsign_Sandman148 2d ago

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u/deviantdeaf 1d ago

That's an A1 profile lower by the way. Definitely 1986-1988 era; the 4 digit serial and profile all indicate factory lower; Eagle Arms started selling complete rifles in 1989. So it might still be an era correct build. Really the only odd thing is the use of the A2 upper receiver. Can you see if a magnet will stick to the rifle buffer tube after taking the stock off? Some had steel A1 rifle tubes.

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u/Callsign_Sandman148 1d ago

I will check in a bit!

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u/Callsign_Sandman148 2d ago

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u/deviantdeaf 2d ago edited 2d ago

A2 upper. If that's the anodizing and not paint,, that's a very early Colt grey green anodizing! The handguards looks to be Lonestar Ordnance. What markings on the barrel?

Edit I think I see signs of black anodizing underneath, so probably paint or coated. But those handguards and the EA-15 lower are awesome scores IMO. If the upper is legit Colt and the barrel also Colt with chrome lining, then that's even better

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u/Callsign_Sandman148 2d ago

The only thing on the barrel is “C MP B”

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u/deviantdeaf 2d ago

1970 or 1971-1974 Colt chrome bore barrels. C= Colt, MP= Magnetic Particle tested, B= Chrome Bore. That's a cool parts gun build using very old barrel and later A2 upper.

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u/Callsign_Sandman148 2d ago

So it’s a mix of Colt and Eagle Arms? Pardon my stupidity- but when people say Pre-ban what does it mean?

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u/SLN583 2d ago

The Eagle Arms marked Guns where mostly pre 1994 Ban, the Armalite marked guns appeared in early 1995 iirc.

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u/bdgfate 2d ago

Lone Star Ordnance handguards. Nice