Forge markings on Uppers?

Stik · #1 05-12-07, 17:04

I have recently discovered these forums and in turn, being the tech junkie I am, I am researching what I have and where it's made. I have seen various forge markings on uppers and wanted to see who knows what about who made them, etc.

"A" or kind of "A" shape cut in half forge mark on right side of upper

Keyhole forge mark on right side of upper

M on the front of the upper above the gas tube hole(was told it was an "FN contract upper)

Makers of Rock River Arms uppers (no markings, previous to the RRA marked uppers)

Please feel free to add any not listed above.

Robb Jensen · #2 05-12-07, 22:32

Forging marks/makers.

A (splintered) = Anchor Harvey Aluminum

AF = Alcoa Forge

C AF = Colt Alco Forge

C MB = Colt / Mueller Brass

Cardinal (stylized) = Cardinal Forge

CH = Colt Harvey Aluminum

CK = Colt / Kaiser Aluminum

Circle/Crooshairs w/"AR" = ArmaLite

CM = Colt / Martin Marietta

D (stylized) = Diemaco

DK = Diemaco / Kaiser Aluminum

E = Emco

EK = EMCO/Kaiser

E MB = EMCO/Mueller Brass

F keyhole = FNMI / Cerro Forge

FA = FNMI / Anchor Harvey

FK = FNMI / Kaiser Aluminum

FM = FN/Martin Marietta

FMB = FNMI / Mueller Brass

Keyhole = Cerro Forge

L = Lewis Machine & Tool

LK = LAR / Kaiser Aluminum

LM = LAR / Martin Marietta

M (under diamond) = Mueller Industries

PA = Capco / Anchor Harvey

PM = Capco / Martin Marietta

Stik · #3 05-14-07, 16:50

I believe that just about covers it, thanks for the info man.

Wayne Dobbs · #4 05-14-07, 17:03

And THAT should be a sticky! Thanks for that info brother...

powderkeg45 · #5 08-08-07, 01:36

Any chance on getting another list showing the manufacturers and where they get there uppers?

Case in point, my m&p15A has a keyhole mark on the right side of the upper, and so does my friend's bushy varminter.

Maybe there's endless possibilities, but I've come up empty handed on googling this subject, and the knowledge base of M4C is quite incredible. Thanks in advance.

Robb Jensen · #6 08-08-07, 05:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderkeg45

Any chance on getting another list showing the manufacturers and where they get there uppers?

Case in point, my m&p15A has a keyhole mark on the right side of the upper, and so does my friend's bushy varminter.

Maybe there's endless possibilities, but I've come up empty handed on googling this subject, and the knowledge base of M4C is quite incredible. Thanks in advance.

Those are both Cerro forgings (unknown who does Bushmasters or S&Ws finish machining).

**SHIVAN** · #7 08-18-07, 16:46

bump...

pittbull · #8 02-24-08, 22:33

so, I see "keyhole" in the list above, but is a keyhole with 3 dots inside it the same?

markm · #9 02-25-08, 10:26

Why do people obsess on this?

pittbull · #10 02-25-08, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by demigod

Why do people obsess on this?

It's a valid question. The devil is in the details. No need to be a dick.

markm · #11 02-25-08, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by pittbull

It's a valid question. The devil is in the details. No need to be a dick.

I'm not trying to be a dick, fr00t! My point is "what is the difference?".

A good platter from a good forging company could be machined out of spec. So would that tell you to avoid uppers with that marking on them? No.

LTPhoon · #12 02-25-08, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by demigod

I'm not trying to be a dick, fr00t! My point is "what is the difference?".

A good platter from a good forging company could be machined out of spec. So would that tell you to avoid uppers with that marking on them? No.

Well. does the keyhole with three dots represent Cerro or no? In going through my currently from Clyde $1300 6920 while cleaning and inspecting and sitting here at the computer reading all I could about it on this fine forum..and Arfcom too..I now have a good idea what is in there for the good money I paid. I learned that Clyde and my local gunshop didn't take any liberties of the sort detailed in other posts. Maybe I can pass on what I have learned to other interested parties. Just sayin'...and who is frOOt?

markm · #13 02-25-08, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTPhoon

...and who is frOOt?

Fr00t is just a way of calling someone a harmless name when they misundertstood me. It's an old habit from TOS where there was a non stop stream of window licking, booger eaters.

LTPhoon · #14 02-25-08, 22:09

Eww! I will stay away from windows and keep my fingers out of my nose...

carbean · #15 04-18-08, 02:37

it would be nice to have photographs of some of these forge marks to go with their description.

LTPhoon · #16 04-18-08, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbean

it would be nice to have photographs of some of these forge marks to go with their description.

Yeah, it would. It would probably be the only such compendium on the intertubes and, as such, would be very useful. And what do the three dots inside the Ferro keyhole mean, anyway?

Quote:

so, I see "keyhole" in the list above, but is a keyhole with 3 dots inside it the same?

Yeah, is it?

warpigM-4 · #17 04-18-08, 12:28

here is my keyhole upper:

Mods feel free to use this picture if a marking list is made

Wulfgott · #18 04-22-08, 07:30

So, what is a "bell" shaped marking indicitive of?

Robb Jensen · #19 04-22-08, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wulfgott

So, what is a "bell" shaped marking indicitive of?

It's not a bell it's a keyhole for a skeleton key and is the mark for Cerro forging.

Wulfgott · #20 04-22-08, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotm4

It's not a bell it's a keyhole for a skeleton key and is the mark for Cerro forging.

No, it is a bell. I looked again this morning. I thought it was on the upper receiver but, it is not. It is on the front sight post. So I will leave it for a different thread.