Colt Firearms Collector
Preserving our American history

 

 

1957 to 1979

Colt Firearms Catalogs 50s, 60s, 70s

Application by Colt to the BATF for civilian sale of the AR-15 was made on Oct. 23, 1963.  It was approved on Dec. 10, 1963, and sales of the "Model R6000 Colt AR-15 SP1 Sporter Rifle" began on Jan 2, 1964.  This is where this story begins...starting with Armalite Rifles:

 

Colt Amalite AR-15  Armalite rifles

    modern combat 1960 AR-15 ad  French Colt M16A1 ad

 Colt AR-15 ad in 1960s
1978 British SAS M16 Armalite booklet
and 1976 AR-16A-1 ad in French

 

More...  takes you to reference images from:

 'The Book of Colt Paper' by John Ogle

 

All catalogs shown are part of this personal collection

 

Year and Features

Images of AR-15 variants and associated products

Colt 1957 catalog

1957 (3 pages)

11' x 8 1/2"

Pre AR-15

More... 1957

 

Printed On Both Sides Fold-Out Illustrated Brochure

Features The Following Guns:

Single Action Army

Python

Official Police

Officers Model Match

Police Positive Special

Three-Fifty-Seven

Cobra

Trooper

Agent

Detective Special

Woodsman Target Model

Woodsman Match Target

Woodsman Sport Model

Huntsman

Government Model .45

Super .38 Automatic

Commander

Gold Cup National Match

Colt Single Action Frontier Scout

Buntline Special

The Junior Colt
 

4-9-1950 More...

An early 1950 version of this 'iconic' Colt catalog. PL-229 (4-9-50)

Small Arms Division

 4-9-1950 Colt catalog witih blonde shooting on front

No AR-15 listings or images

No AR-scopes

Colt 1960 catalog

1960

(20 pages)

A-79-5

Pre AR-15

 

No AR-15 listings or images

No AR-scopes

 

Colt 1962 catalog pre-dates AR-15 listing

1962

(8 pages)

More... 62-64

 

 

No AR-15 listings or images

No AR-scopes

Pre-dates AR-15 listing

Colt Firearms 1964 Catalog

1964

More... 62-64

(7pages)

AR-15 first commercial display ad

Introduction of the AR-15 to the civilian marketplace by Colt for the first time.

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle R6000

Colt 1965 catalog

1965

More 62-64

More...66

More...67

(4 pages)

 

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle R6000

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle  R6000

 

This is a 1965 version with

the price of an AR-15. 

This does NOT show the 3x20 scope.

Colt 1966 catalog

1966 

(5 pages)

More...65

More...66

 

 

AR-15 and first time the 3 x 20 scope is shown in catalog

This catalog shows the AR-15 and the Colt 3x20 scope for the first time.

Colt 1968 catalog

1968  (6 pages)

More...68

More...69

 

 1968 Colt catalog featuring the AR-15 1968 Colt catalog display ad for the Colt 3x20 scope

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle R6000

Colt 3x20 optics

1969 & 1970

 (15 pages) No AR listed

More...70

 Colt 1969 catalog  Colt 1970 catalog

1970-72

(Single sheet)

Colt Police pocket ads

More...70-72

Accessories

 

Colt 1970s ad  1970 Colt catalog featuring the R6000 AR-15 rifle for police

Colt 1971 catalog, two of three

1971

(3 catalogs)

More...71

Colt 1971 ad, one of three  1971 catalog, three of three with cowboy on cover

No AR listed or images

Last year prices shown in Colt catalogs

Colt 1972 Aug. catalog

1972 Aug. (32 pages)

More...72

 

catalog ad showiing rifles on wall

Colt AR-15 rifle

Colt 3x20 optics

Colt 1973 catalog showing 3 x 20 scope

1973  

(32 pages)

More...73

 

AR-15 hanging on wall rack

Colt AR-15 rifle

Colt 3x20 optics

Colt 1974 catalog

1974 

(23 pages)

More...74

 

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle with 3 x 20 scope mounted on rifle

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle

Colt 3x20 optics

Colt 1975 catalog

1975  

(23 pages)

More...75

 

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle

Colt 1976 catalog

1976 

(22 pages)

More...76

 

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle with scope on carry handle

Colt AR-15 Sporter rifle

Colt 1976 catalog with price list

1976  

(3 pages)

More...76

 

Colt 1976 retail price list for AR-15 sporter rifle and 3x20 optic

Colt Retail Price List

AR-15 Sporter rifle $297.50

Colt 3x20 optics $90.00

Colt 1977 catalog

1977  

(18 pages)

More...77

 

Close-up of Colt AR-15 Sporter with 3x20 optic in 1977 catalog

AR-15 Sporter rifle

Colt 3x20 optics

Colt retail price list 1977

1977  

(3 pages)

More...77

 

 

1977 Colt price list showing the AR-15 for $324

Colt Retail Price List

R6000 AR-15 Sporter rifle $324.95

WC1300 Colt 3x20 $97.95

Colt 1978 catalog

1978  

(22 pages)

More...78

introduction of collapsable stock for AR-15AR-15 scope mounted on carry handle

AR-15 Sporter with collapsible stock

Colt 3x20 optics

Colt 1978 retail price list

1978 

(3 pages)

More...78

 

 

1978 Colt price list showing AR-15 R6001 carbine for $367

Colt Retail Price List

R6000 AR-15 Sporter rifle $341.95

R6001 with collapsible stock $376.50

3x20 WC1300 $102.95

Colt 1979 catalog

1979  

(22 pages)

More...79

 

1979 Colt catalog showing their 'New' collapsable stock' carbine3x20 scope on carry handle

AR-15 Sporter with collapsible stock

Colt 3x20 optics

 

Continue to Colt 1980s catalogs

Colt Catalogs 1990s

Colt Catalogs 1980s

Colt Catalogs 1950s to 1970s

Colt Catalogs 1903 to 1941

 

AR-15 & M16 1959 to 2000s  Pages: 1 - 5

 

 Manuals   |   1959-70s   |   1980s   |   1990s   |   2000s

 

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This non-commercial Colt reference website contains aggregated research notes & images from my personal Colt collection. I occasionally use openly posted information on the internet which is used here under the Fair Use doctrine for educational purposes. The information displayed is not in anyway meant to infringe on copyrighted material ....