The M-16E1, yes that is an E, not an A though the configuration was basically the A1, I was issued in basic training at Fort Ord in 1977 was made by GM Hydramatic (sp?) Division. At least that was on the lower receiver. I don't remember if there was any date.Something that I had read, more than once, is that during the Vietnam war, only Colt made M16s.
Years and years later, I saw a pic of a Harrington & Richardson M16, and figured that must have been fake, because I'd read only Colt made them.
But, H&R did make M16s.
https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-transition/gm-making-of-m-16.html with some additional evidence that there were lots of non-Colts floating around during the Vietnam War.
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