This is truly an unbelievable find for the advance Colt/Armalite AR15 collector or Class III enthusiast. This is an original Colt/Armalite AR15 Model 01 assault rifle. This wonderful example is all original to include the original very early original green plastic handguards, buttstock and pistol grip. This was the first commercial model of the original Army/Airforce designated M16 rifle and was produced in the very first contract run circa 1960-62. This example has all of its original early features such as: the first pattern (M16 type) upper receiver without the forward assist that has the two position rear sight assembly. It is proofed on the front, right side with a small capital "C" inside a square box over the inverted Colt "VP" proof mark. The upper receiver is fitted with the first pattern, non-chrome, steel barrel with the slightly smaller exposed front barrel section with the short three prong flash hider. It is stamped on the left and right sides of the barrel with the inverted Colt "VP" proof and "M" proof between the legs of the gas block. The barrel is not even marked with the twist rate, so you know it's early. It is also fitted with the very first pattern all machined front sight/gas block assembly with the raised "arrow/UP" markings on top, behind the front sight. The left side of the magazine well is correctly marked with the large circled Rampant Colt logo followed by "COLT/Armalite AR15/PATENTS PENDING/CAL. 223/MODEL 01/SERIAL 012969". Farther back it is marked "COLTS PATENT FIREARMS MFG. CO. /HARTFORD CONN./U.S.A." followed by the standard three position selector switch markings of: "SAFE/SEMI/AUTO". It has the early style unmarked, all chromed full auto bolt carrier and bolt assembly, with the second pattern, cotter key cross-pin. The complete bolt and extractor are chrome plated, and the side of the bolt is marked with only an etched "P" proof. The lower receiver is fitted with the early machined selector switch with the small hole in the center on each side and also the early type 1, two piece buffer assembly. It even has the early first pattern bolt release with serrations on both the top and bottom edges, and it has the very first pattern charging handle with the short, narrow ears on the rear of the handle. It is also fitted with the early green plastic handguards, pistol grip and buttstock. The buttstock is the correct no-trap pattern with the hard rubber buttplate. This rare early Colt/Armalite AR15 rifle also comes with an equally rare early "Waffle pattern" Armalite/Colt marked AR15 magazine and its original brown cardboard shipping box. The box has no label and is only marked with its matching serial number "012969" and "MOD 01" on the end.