Question about older Bushmaster rifle

[dieseltech09]

I recently picked up a minty Bushmaster A2 HABR rifle from a member here that didnt have many details on the rifle. I have emailed Bushmaster and they said they cant help me since it was built at their old facility and they had to turn all the records over to the ATF when they relocated. All they can say for sure is that it was built before 2001.
The rifle is a model number XM15-E2S. The SN is L080XXX. The receiver is stamped "B.F.I. Windham ME. USA." The barrel is stamped "C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7 HBAR" It is a fixed carry handle A2, the forward assist is foot shaped. The barrel has an A2 style flash hider. The finish is in good shape but it looks like there wasn't a whole lot of prep time spent before the finish was applied. There is no bayonet lug.
Is there any way to get a better idea of around when this rifle was built? Also as to the stamping on the barrel "C MP" I have found several places online that say that Busmaster at one time got barrels from Colt but there are also places online that say this never happened.Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Super Dave]

That foot is commonly known as a tear drop. No idea though. My first AR15 was a Bushmaster, A1 upper. They hold a special place in my heart.

 

[white92coupe]

Have you tried emailing/calling Windham Weaponry about the rifle? The owner is the original of Bushmaster, and is in the same facility with the same staff that was Bushmaster. They may be able to help?

 

[Chard]

C MP - chromed lined magnetic particle inspected

Not at the house right now, I will check my serial # to see if it is close to yours. Maybe be able to give you and idea when it was built.

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

The C means Colt, the M means Magnetic particle inspected, the P for Proof fired. HBAR is for Heavy Barrel.

 

[dieseltech09]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know if Bushmaster ever used Colt barrels on there uppers? This rifle looks like it has been shot very little and doesn't really look like a pieced together upper.

 

[Chard]

Learn something new, thought the C was for chrome.

Dug around a little on ARFcom and found this for what it is worth.

Bushmaster
Below L051000 - Assembled Pre-Ban Rifles and some pre-94 lowers.**
L051001-L063000 - Mixed Pre-Ban Assembled Rifles and Pre-Sept 94 Lowers (Call to verify)
L063001 and Up - Post-Ban

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

Learn something new, thought the C was for chrome........

Well, you would have been correct at one time. The very early M16's only had the MP markings by the FSB and the C in a square Colt proof mark on the barrel breach.

Starting in October 1967 and prior to serial number 800,000 Colt’s added chrome to the chamber. Chrome chamber barrels are identified by a C about an inch back from the muzzle.

By 1969 and before serial number 1,750,XXX Colt's chrome chamber barrels were marked C MP C, and the proof markings and C were moved to the same spot.

Effective in December 1971 at about serial number 4,700,000 along with the chamber the bores were chromed, early ones were marked C MP B.

Starting in 1974 and after serial number 4,900,000 chrome bores were marked C MP CHROME BORE. This marking was used all the way until the end of M16A1 production.

 

[SMS]

So the question remains...did Bushhampster ever use Colt barrels or does the OP have a frankenrifle?

 

[uncle money bags]

Interestingly, this is not the first instance of an apparently factory bushmaster upper with a Colt barrel i have come across. The others were were early examples as well, appeared to be factory built, and were A2 HBAR uppers.