Manufactured by Colt circa 1966 for commercial sale, the AR-15 automatic rifle was patterned very closely after the early military issued M16 rifle, with the chief difference being in the markings. Post front and windage adjustable two-leaf peep rear sights, with the three-prong flash hider on the "12" marked barrel, bayonet lug on the front sight base, triangular handguard, checkered pistol grip, and fixed buttstock, sans trapdoor. The early "slickside" pattern upper lacks provision for a forward assist or a casing deflector and is marked with a boxed "C" on the front right side along with a "VP" stamp, while the lower has the unfenced magazine catch on the right, and is marked on the left with the AR-15 trademark and Colt address, the latter spaced to accommodate the pin for the safety sear, with "SAFE", "SEMI", and "AUTO" selector markings. The "slick side" bolt carrier and bolt head are both chrome finished.

Matte black finished steel construction, 12 1/2 inches overall, with a collet bushing style mount and a screw adjustable valve.