05-14-2013, 09:02 PM
It is a forge code from the aluminum forger. They start out as a plate, which is pounded into a blank, then the plate is cut off. You can still see this plate line on most of your forged lowers. Several machine shops buy those raw forgings in bulk, then run them through a CNC.
There are very few castings on the market these days, although I had one of the old ones from DPMS-an A-15 cast lower with some different external features.
Here's a more elaborate list of forge codes and who machined them/who did the forgings:
There are very few castings on the market these days, although I had one of the old ones from DPMS-an A-15 cast lower with some different external features.
Here's a more elaborate list of forge codes and who machined them/who did the forgings:
Quote:The forging mark has little meaning as to who actually finish machined the upper receiver. Cerro supplies raw forgings to AR manufacturers who finish machine the parts. I've seen them on Colt, Bushmaster, DPMS uppers, etc....
Forging marks/makers.
A (splintered) = Anchor Harvey Aluminum
AF = Alcoa Forge
C AF = Colt Alco Forge
C MB = Colt / Mueller Brass
Cardinal (stylized) = Cardinal Forge
CH = Colt Harvey Aluminum
CK = Colt / Kaiser Aluminum
Circle/Crooshairs w/"AR" = ArmaLite
CM = Colt / Martin Marietta
D (stylized) = Diemaco
DK = Diemaco / Kaiser Aluminum
E = Emco
EK = EMCO/Kaiser
E MB = EMCO/Mueller Brass
F keyhole = FNMI / Cerro Forge
FA = FNMI / Anchor Harvey
FK = FNMI / Kaiser Aluminum
FM = FN/Martin Marietta
FMB = FNMI / Mueller Brass
Keyhole = Cerro Forge
L = Lewis Machine & Tool
LK = LAR / Kaiser Aluminum
LM = LAR / Martin Marietta
M (under diamond) = Mueller Industries
PA = Capco / Anchor Harvey
PM = Capco / Martin Marietta