Month: September 2020

Colt Lower Receiver With ‘Shaved’ Magazine Well

I was sent a photo of an SP1 lower with a ‘shaved’ magazine well. The owner asked if I knew why the magazine well was like that. I had not seen one before and was curious to learn more. If you look below the rollmark and to the right of the rollmark, you can see the line showing how much material was ‘shaved’ off or removed.

Notice line below the rollmark and to the right of the rollmark providing a visual indicator of removal of magazine well material.

I posted an inquiry in my Facebook group and had some private message conversations which were interesting. I learned that when a mistake was made in the rollmark process or when adding the serial number (double print of a serial # for example), the factory would remove as much material as needed and then repeat the rollmark process or redo the serial number.

Anyway, I thought I would share this here so thatbothers can learn from it.

Colt’s Crew Served Weapons

If you are familiar with the Vietnam War, you probably know what PBR’s (Patrol Boat River) are. The PBR crews were some of the bravest personnel of the war in my opinion. Well, apparently Colt manufactured some of the bow twin .50 caliber machine gun turrets for the PBR’s.

Patrol Boat, River…more commonly known as PBR
Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Earnest McGowan sits in the gun tub of the twin .50-caliber gun mount on a new Mark II river patrol boat (PBR) on January 13, 1968.  Many of these newer PBRs saw action during the Tet Offensive.  On the Mark II, the “.50s” are electronically fired and sit low on the deck.  (Naval History and Heritage Command image)

These turrets were also seen on Patrol Air Cushion Vehicles (PACV) used in the war.

Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle

Intact sets of these documents are rare. I never thought I would actually have a chance to own this document set so I’m pretty excited about getting ahold of it.

The folder opened. Factory images on the inside of the front cover on the left. Document pocket on the right.

I am not familiar with turret/weapon configuration shown below being used in active service.

1966 ‘Colt Military Weapons’ Promotional Folder
Folder Cover

The folder has printing and images on all sides.

Promotional folder opened up showing inside of the front cover and document pocket.
Close-up of the inside of the front cover
Inside of the back cover showing technical data and the document pocket. The document pocket lists the four documents that are supposed to be inside.

There are four weapon system specification sheets that are 8-1/2 in. x 11 in. format and single-sided.

Back cover of folder