Very early example of a Colt AR-15 Sporter manufactured in 1963. Colt bought the rights for the AR-15, (M16 military designation), from Armalite in 1959. Colt began a special run production of a semi-automatic variation in 1963 and made only 23, (serial number SP00001 to SP00023) for Colt executives and board members. This particular rifle comes with the original shipping box with shipping label addressed from R.L. Wilson to Robert Sutherland, both of whom were board members for Colt at that time. In 1964 Colt began production of AR-15 Comanche which was quickly changed to the Sporter due to a rival company already having a Comanche bolt action rifle. The left side of the magazine well is marked with the circled Rampant Colt followed by "COLT/AR-15" over "CAL. .223/MODEL SP1/SER SP00017" and the left side of the receiver is marked with the three line address. The rifle is equipped with a three prong flash hider and bayonet lug, post front and flip up rear peep sight and is not equipped with forward assist. Mounted with a fibrite handguard, pistol grip and stock with a rubber buttplate and black nylon sling. Complete with the original Colt shipping box, red S.S. White muzzle cover, (cracked and repaired masking tape that has fallen off) extra magazine, manual, bulletin D-2, 4-piece cleaning rod, takedown tool, sight adjustment tool and a Department of The Air Force manual 50-12.

Excellent. The rifle retains 99% plus original finish. The forearm, grip and stock are also excellent with only light handling marks. Mechanically fine. The shipping box is good with some wear and speckled oil stains. A very nice example of one of only 23 first production "Special Run" AR-15 rifles.