Help Identify, date, and value a rifle.

41 nut

Here's an assault rifle that I'm not quite sure exactly what it is. I believe it to be a very early Bushmaster, but have never seen one quite like it. Anyone familiar with it? Barrel is 19" including the flash suppressor which is 1 3/4" long, buttstock is a plastic folder and pistol grip is plastic. Forearm is wood. On the receiver is the following.
Bushmaster; Assault Rifle; Bushmaster Arms; Portland, Maine (which is not where Bushmaster is located); 556MM; F02134. I'm looking for a manufacturing date and approximate value in 70 - 75% condition.

rufe-snow

I had one similar to the one pictured, except it had a fixed wooden stock. They were made during the 1970's in North Carolina, by Gwinn Arms Co. This manufacturer was purchased by the predecessor of the current Bushmaster Co. Perhaps thats how the Portland Maine marking is found on yours.

Although mine worked OK, they didn't have a very good reputation for reliable functioning, back then. Unless there is some collector interest, I doubt that one in 70% condition is going to be worth a lot of bucks. My 2?.

lovethemcolts

Original incorporated in 1973, they concentrated making the bushmaster arm pistol. This was a survival gun for pilots from the veitnam war.

The company had to reorganize in 1980, Bushmaster firearms inc started to sell AR-15 and M16 parts and eventually started making their own parts. In 1983 the first Bushmaster rifles bearing their name was made in Portland. 5 years later they moved to windham.

I think this is early Bushmaster Assault Rifle from the 80's.

controlagent86

I have had and currently have a few of these. The values run between $400 to about $750 for a really mint one. I usually don't pay more than $550 to $600 for a real good one.

controlagent86

Also thought I would mention it has the wrong front pivot pin. I usually modify that anyway too because the original system is a little sloppy and will fall out if the clip comes off.

controlagent86

http://www.biggerhammer.net/armpistol/ will give you some info on when Gwynn was building the armpistol and there is an owners manual online too. Yours is a second generation rifle since the very early ones had the cocking handle on the top and a different prefix letter. The cocking handle was moved to the side around the time Bushmaster took over production sometime in the early 70s. It is almost impossible to date these rifles beyond the early and maybe mid 70s time period. I have F02095 and F01925 in this serial number range. Both are solid stocks. The folding stock does not seem to command a premium at least in my experience. I buy them when they come up on Gunbroker, if the guy is reasonable, just to collect them. Took me three posts but hope this helps.