Mattel M-16 Urban Myth Won't Die

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Joe Demko

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The "Mattel made some of the M-16's used in Vietnam" urban myth has turned up again on a couple of the boards I follow. If anybody has a rifle, stock set, part of a rifle, or photograph of any of the above clearly showing the Mattel factory logo, I'd be obliged if you'd post an image here. This is one of those things people claim to have seen, but nobody can ever produce any evidence. I'd like to lay this myth to rest, if possible.
 
I remember seeing M-16s made by Hydra-Matic and Harrington & Richardson in the company arms room back in the 1970's. I suspect the Mattel ones are all mythical...my $0.02
 
I have heard that a subsidiary of Mattel was one of the many original contractors for some of the plastic furniture on the M-16's (and it makes sense if you think about it -molded plastic things is molded plastic things). Some GI probably saw "Mattel plastics corp." or some such thing on the inside of his handguards and the Barbigun myth was born.
 
Sorry, but it's the truth.

Mattel is (or was) a contractor for M16 parts - I have first hand experience with this as my M16A1 that was issued for OSUT (Basic and MOS School rolled into one) had, you guessed it, a Mattel grip on it. Believe me, I was shocked when I saw this - but as long as the rounds hit what I aimed at, I didn't care too much in the long run. :D

Spark
 
ALMOST a little off topic but I will post it anyway . Anyone interested in working for Mattel should apply now . This way you can be right in the plant and perhaps find some proof . Before you apply though , please be advised that you need not go to the plant in Murray , Kentucky . That one is closing . Go directly to Mexico where production will commence as soon as possible . Habla Si one dollar per hour ???
 
I had a friend of a friend who owned a M-16 made by Ronco. It was great in the field because it could slice, dice, mince, and puree like a mother!
 
I have seen the name Mattel cast into the inside surface of an M-16 stock. I picked up a piece of a broken stock and there it was.
 
Oft overlooked:

Mattel pioneered polycarbonate production. The stuff was available but without a use. Mattel figured out how to mold it, put compound curves in sheets etc.

Sam
 
Also don't forget that "photographic proof" ...isn't.

I know graphics people that could use Photoshop to "mould" any logo into any weapon you'd care to see, and it would "look real" online.

-J.
 
MarauderRightPro.jpg

m16rough.JPG

;)
 
I've personally seen it

Stamped Mattel on the pistol grip and inside the butt. No logo, nothing. The lack of any design logo or trademark makes me wonder if it was the Mattel we all think of. But it DID say Mattel and they were a leader in plastics...
 
In 1967-68 I carried an XM19E1. I don't recall seeing Mattel anyplace on it. The piece of the stock I referred to in my earlier post was found in a rather busy area and I have no idea who manufactured the weapon, but I did see it.

If I had known that you all would be so curious I would have kept it.
 
I was issued an M-16 A1 with a Mattel stamp on the stock.
This was at Parris Island in Nov. of 80.
Dopey me asked the D.I. when were we going to get the REAL rifles.:(
 
I use to shoot a Harrington & Richardson M-16 back in the early to mid-70's at the Naval Munitions Depot in McAlester, Okla.
 
Hey All,
Thanks for the replies. I'm not interested in disproving this because I think it is an insult to the gun, rather I'm interested in historical accuracy. If Mattel stocks exist, I want one!
For those of you who remember seeing Mattel marks on guns, let's try to see if you are all remembering the same thing. It was a long time ago, I know, but try to answer a couple questions to the best of your recollection, if you would:
1. Where was the mark?
2. What was the mark?
3. Was the mark raised or stamped?

Thanks, gentlemen.
 
If you think about it, it all really makes pretty good sense. Well it does to me anyway.
The government contracts go, and have always went to, the lowest bidder. You have to consider the "times", there was no plastic bumpers, no plastic trash cans, plastic was a new thing, state of the art kinda stuff. There wasn't allot of it around like there is now and Mattel was then, at that time, the biggest producer of it, so i'm sure that they could fill the bill allot cheaper than any other (then new) company.
I i this question floats around long enough, someone who worked for mettle at the time will see it and post. It is an interesting question though.
Golgo-13 if you hear anything at all, let us know.
One more thought in closing, if not Mattel, then who?

-John-
 
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