Colt Sistemas were built from 1945 to 1966. The unique serial numbers are found on the frame, on the slide, on the barrel hood, on the magazine baseplate, and on the receiver underneath the mainspring housing. Below are the serial numbers listed by year, along with the production numbers. 1945 - 6,000 - #24,001 - #30,000. Year / Serial Number. 1838 - 1840 1-850. Holster or Texas Paterson No.5. Year /Serial Number. 1838 - 1840 1-1000. Ehlers Pistols 4 th & 5 th Model. Year / Serial Number. 1840-1843 1-500. Colt Baby Dragoon Pocket. Year / Serial Number. 1847 1 1848 2000 1849 8000 1850 12000 - 14000. Cloverleaf House Model Revolver.41. Year / Serial Number. Colt Diamondbacks were produced between 1966 & 1988. Serial numbers started with the letter D between the years 1966-1976. In 1976-1977 started with letter N.In 1978 started with letter R, so my. Colt (800) 962-COLT. Aug 07, 2012 The guy that sold it said it was manufactured in 1959. Proofhouse.com said it was manufactured in 1960 I think (I assume the serial number paired up with a year is the first serial number for that year and not the last serial number for that year.
- Colt Serial Numbers Years Of Manufacture History
- Colt Serial Numbers Years Of Manufacture Order
- Colt Serial Numbers Years Of Manufacture Dates
- Colt Manufacture Date By Serial Number
Serial Number Prefix | Model Name | Sample Model |
BD | 6721 | |
CC | Colt Carbine | R6520 |
CH | Competition HBAR | 6700 |
GC | Government Carbine | 6520 |
GS | Governmodel Model Service | 6550 |
MH | Match HBAR | 6601 |
ML | Match Lightweight | R6530 |
MT | Match Target | |
SP | Sporter | SP1 or SP2 |
ST | Sporter Target | 6551 |
TA | 9mm | 64506430 |
Above Information Courtesy Stokes
Colt Serial Numbers Years Of Manufacture History
Colt Serial Numbers Years Of Manufacture Order
Disclaimer: This list is correct to the best of my knowledge, however, I accept absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy of this information or for the consequences and/or damages occurring from any inaccuracies. I have compiled this list for the purposes of sharing information only. This is not intended to be used in any way except for personal entertainment. It is a compilation of both personal information and information submitted from others, mostly from the Internet. ALL SERIAL NUMBERS SHOULD BE VERIFIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO ANY PURCHASE OR ASSEMBLY. It should be clearly noted that it is a felony to possess a Post-Ban (newly assembled after Sept 13, 1994) assault weapon. Please note that BATF has ruled that 'Pre-ban' and 'Grandfathered' are two different things. A Pre-ban lower is only grandfathered if it: 1. was a complete rifle prior to 9/13/94; 2. possessed two banned features (pistol grip and CAR stock assembled); or 3. was part of a complete weapon kit, either assembled or not. This list does not discern between 'Pre-ban' and 'Grandfathered' as it is very nearly impossible to find that detail of information. If any information presented here is found to be incorrect or you have additional information to contribute, please contact me via E-Mail (hkusp40@midmaine.com) and I will update and re-issue the list. Note:All items marked with a single asterisk (*) are taken from http://home1.gte.net/bblakley/ban/index.htm. The year/serial numbers under Colt SP series was forwarded to me by an individual whose return address I no longer have. Double asterisk (**) under Bushmaster, a person on the internet e-mailed me that he had a lower that was shipped stripped (thus not a complete rifle) in 1991 from Bushmaster with serial #0327XX - ALWAYS CALL TO VERIFY. Finally, BATF has allowed some pre-ban damaged to be replaced with post-ban lowers with numbers outside the ranges given below while retaining the grandfathered status. They will send a letter documenting this and allowing the original manufacturer to proceed with the replacement. Colt (800) 962-COLT |
Year | Serial Number Range | Pre Ban | Post Ban |
1963 | SP00001-SP00023** | X | |
1964 | SP00101 | X | |
1965 | SP02501 | X | |
1966 | SP05600 | X | |
1967 | SP08250 | X | |
1968 | SP10750 | X | |
1969 | SP14000-SP14653 | X | |
1970 | SP15001-SP15473 | X | |
1971 | SP16001 | X | |
1972 | SP19401 | X | |
1973 | SP24201 | X | |
1974 | SP32601 | X | |
1975 | SP43801 | X | |
1976 | SP55301 | X | |
1977 | SP67651 | X | |
1978 | SP83400 | X | |
CC001616 and Below | X | ||
CH019500 and Below | X | ||
GC018500 and Below | X | ||
LH011326 and Below | X | ||
MH086020 and Below | X | ||
NL004800 and Below | X | ||
SL027246 and Below | X | ||
SP360200 and Below | X | ||
ST038100 and Below | X | ||
TA10100 and Below | X | ||
BD000134 and Below(AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model) | X | ||
MT00001 and Above | X | ||
BK000001and Above (CAR-A3) | X | ||
CST000001 and Above (Began Late 1997 Production) | X | ||
CMH000001 and Above | X | ||
CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production | X |
Serial Number Information Courtesy Geremy Chubbuck
Colt Serial Numbers Years Of Manufacture Dates
Colt Serial Numbers Years Of Manufacture History
Colt Serial Numbers Years Of Manufacture Order
Disclaimer: This list is correct to the best of my knowledge, however, I accept absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy of this information or for the consequences and/or damages occurring from any inaccuracies. I have compiled this list for the purposes of sharing information only. This is not intended to be used in any way except for personal entertainment. It is a compilation of both personal information and information submitted from others, mostly from the Internet. ALL SERIAL NUMBERS SHOULD BE VERIFIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO ANY PURCHASE OR ASSEMBLY. It should be clearly noted that it is a felony to possess a Post-Ban (newly assembled after Sept 13, 1994) assault weapon. Please note that BATF has ruled that 'Pre-ban' and 'Grandfathered' are two different things. A Pre-ban lower is only grandfathered if it: 1. was a complete rifle prior to 9/13/94; 2. possessed two banned features (pistol grip and CAR stock assembled); or 3. was part of a complete weapon kit, either assembled or not. This list does not discern between 'Pre-ban' and 'Grandfathered' as it is very nearly impossible to find that detail of information. If any information presented here is found to be incorrect or you have additional information to contribute, please contact me via E-Mail (hkusp40@midmaine.com) and I will update and re-issue the list. Note:All items marked with a single asterisk (*) are taken from http://home1.gte.net/bblakley/ban/index.htm. The year/serial numbers under Colt SP series was forwarded to me by an individual whose return address I no longer have. Double asterisk (**) under Bushmaster, a person on the internet e-mailed me that he had a lower that was shipped stripped (thus not a complete rifle) in 1991 from Bushmaster with serial #0327XX - ALWAYS CALL TO VERIFY. Finally, BATF has allowed some pre-ban damaged to be replaced with post-ban lowers with numbers outside the ranges given below while retaining the grandfathered status. They will send a letter documenting this and allowing the original manufacturer to proceed with the replacement. Colt (800) 962-COLT |
Year | Serial Number Range | Pre Ban | Post Ban |
1963 | SP00001-SP00023** | X | |
1964 | SP00101 | X | |
1965 | SP02501 | X | |
1966 | SP05600 | X | |
1967 | SP08250 | X | |
1968 | SP10750 | X | |
1969 | SP14000-SP14653 | X | |
1970 | SP15001-SP15473 | X | |
1971 | SP16001 | X | |
1972 | SP19401 | X | |
1973 | SP24201 | X | |
1974 | SP32601 | X | |
1975 | SP43801 | X | |
1976 | SP55301 | X | |
1977 | SP67651 | X | |
1978 | SP83400 | X | |
CC001616 and Below | X | ||
CH019500 and Below | X | ||
GC018500 and Below | X | ||
LH011326 and Below | X | ||
MH086020 and Below | X | ||
NL004800 and Below | X | ||
SL027246 and Below | X | ||
SP360200 and Below | X | ||
ST038100 and Below | X | ||
TA10100 and Below | X | ||
BD000134 and Below(AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model) | X | ||
MT00001 and Above | X | ||
BK000001and Above (CAR-A3) | X | ||
CST000001 and Above (Began Late 1997 Production) | X | ||
CMH000001 and Above | X | ||
CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production | X |
Serial Number Information Courtesy Geremy Chubbuck
Colt Serial Numbers Years Of Manufacture Dates
Colt Manufacture Date By Serial Number
What I'd like to know is what the serial number ranges are for the various Colt companies. That, and what years Colt kept the names of various companies.
Originally, Colt SP1's were made by Colt's Patent Firearms Mfg Co. The two I have are in the 35XXX range and one my friend has is in the 66XXX range. I've seen them all the way back to the 2XXX range with this same company marking.
Sometime later Colt SP1's were made by Colt's Firearms Division. These seem by far to be the most common markings on SP1's. It is common to see serial numbers on these in the 80XXX to 180XXX range. I'd really like to know the year of this transition.
Most, if not all, of the AR15A2 Sporter II's were made by Colt's Firearm's Division and the serial number range seems to be in the low to mid 300XXX range. These were most popular in the mid to late 80's.
During manufacture of all of these Colt continued to use the SP prefix.
Then, that changed...
Witness the Sporter Blue Label series. These were made by Colt's Mfg Co Inc. and early on some still bore the SP prefix. It appears that those still using slab side SP1 style receivers had the SP prefix while the transitional lowers with the A2 features ie: magazine release fence, built up receiver extension ring, and radiused front takedown pivot lugs, started using different prefixes such as MT for Match Target. All, however, still went under the model name Sporter. This was due to legislation enacted by certain states that banned, by name, the AR15 in the late 80's.
It seems that the latest breed of Colt made civilian rifles is being manufactured under the company name of Colt's Defense.
From Biggerhammer.net I was able to glean some information about the dates of manufacture on the box labels. From earliest to latest:
1963-1966 Plain Box, no label
1966-1968/69 Tan Label (Three Prong Flash Hider)
1970-1984 Tan Label (Birdcage Flash Hider)
1984-1989 Green Label (Beginning of various A2 features)
1989-1990 White Label
1991-Present? Blue Label
None of this points out what company made them though. The serial number list is excellent if you want to know what year your Colt AR15 was made, but again, it doesn't tell you which company made it.
CC001616 and Below - Pre-Ban
CH019500 and Below - Pre-Ban
GC018500 and Below - Pre-Ban
LH011326 and Below - Pre-Ban
MH086020 and Below - Pre-Ban
NL004800 and Below - Pre-Ban
SL027246 and Below - Pre-Ban
SP360200 and Below - Pre-Ban
1963 SP00001-SP00023**
1964 SP00101
1965 SP02501
1966 SP05600
1967 SP08250
1968 SP10750
1969 SP14000-SP14653
1970 SP15001-SP15473
1971 SP16001
1972 SP19401
1973 SP24201
1974 SP32601
1975 SP43801
1976 SP55301
1977 SP67651
1978 SP83400
ST038100 and Below - Pre-Ban
TA10100 and Below - Pre-Ban
BD000134 and Below - Pre-Ban (AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model)
MT00001 and Above - Post-Ban
BK000001and Above - Post Ban (CAR-A3)
CST000001 and Above - Post-Ban (Began Late 1997 Production)
CMH000001 and Above - Post Ban
CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production
So, what years did Colt operate under Colt's Patent Firearms Mfg Co, Colt's Firearms Division, Colt's Mfg Co Inc, and Colt's Defense? Forgive me if I left one out. They seem to have changed the company name quite a bit and I've found it difficult to keep up with. Thus, the reason I'm hoping to obtain this information for the good of all.