This is a beautiful example of a very rare, original Colt Firearms Division manufactured, fully automatic M16A1 carbine. These original Colt fully automatic M16 series of rifles and carbines are very rare to find on the open market today. These were actually produced on the same manufacturing line as their military counter part using the same military grade, factory original parts. To keep them separate and distinct from the Military weapons they were given their own special commercial serial number designation in the 9 Million serial number range. This model is currently configured to duplicate the earlier XM177E2 series of carbines, that were produced during the Vietnam era. It has a 16 inch chrome lined barrel with Colt type short hand guards with the aluminum heat shields inside, which has been fitted with a longer commercial XM177E2 type flash hider. It has an original Colt M16A1 series upper receiver with the forward assist on the right side with the two-position flip rear sight, an original M16A1 Colt marked bolt and bolt carrier group. Currently it is fitted with a later pattern polymer/plastic sliding buttstock on the original aluminum receiver extension tube and a rubber pistol grip. Both items can be converted back to their original configuration. It has an original Colt M16 type lower receiver with the raised fence around the magazine release button with the reinforced, lower rear section. The left side of the receiver is correctly marked with the Circled Colt Rampant over "COLT/M16A1/CAL. 5.56 MM/9271363" with the rear section marked "COLT FIREARMS DIVISION/COLT INDUSTRIES/HARTFORD CONN./U.S.A.", with "SAFE/SEMI/AUTO" marked around the selector switch. This excellent little carbine is complete with a black nylon sling, but no magazines.