Obviously not vintage sniper related, but this section is also for very unique firearms. Does anyone else here own any copper beryllium firearms? It's supposedly not a fun material to work with and added precautions need to be be taken when milling. Many years ago I bought some AR15 and 1911 receivers/frames from Olympic Arms. It was a weird process to buy them, I couldn't just order them on their site and have them send them to the FFL I use. Instead, my FFL had to purchase them for me, even the 80% 1911 frames. I've never had to do that before!
The AR15 lowers were made by Olympic Arms in 1991 as a limited edition. They're very heavy, so they might be good for building heavier target rifles. Put one next to a normal aluminum receiver and the weight difference is substantial, it's definitely something different.
It was supposed to be a whole rifle, but only a few of those were ever made and they usually have SGW (Schuetzen Gun Works, the predecessor/parent company of Olympic Arms) engraved on the left side of the magwell. Mine don't have anything on either side of the magwell, except the serial number. The few rifles that Olympic Arms did complete had an A2 upper with built in carry handle. These were made a few years before the picatinny rails were invented, so I don't think they really had another option.
They have a TBOR prefix to the serial number, it stands for The Bill Of Rights. It was supposed to be a limited edition to Celebrate the Bicentennial anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791. I don't know why they didn't fulfill this limited edition, probably has to do with the beryllium alloy or ridiculous gun laws.
I think the 1911 frames were made by Safari Arms, which was owned by Olympic Arms. The pistol frames and AR15 lowers were probably made around the same time, but the 1911 frames could predate the AR15 lowers by a few years. Safari Arms did make a few finished copper beryllium 1911's.
Since these are copper, it will oxidize and acquire some patina. You could polish the receivers/frames so it's nice and shiny, then coat it in clear cerakote to preserve the brilliant finish. Or you can let it patina and it will look like an old penny. Lots of character that way and each one will be totally unique.
Here's my 3 sets (was my 3 sets, I recently gave 2 sets to friends). The AR15 lowers are finished, but the 1911 frames are just 80%. I have no idea who to send them to for finishing, does anyone have any suggestions?
I'm bringing up this topic because an unfinished 1911 copper beryllium frame just popped up on gunbroker. I think the seller also sold a few finished frames, he might be out of those and moved on to selling the 80% ones (I doubt he has many, maybe this is his only one). This is the first 80% 1911 copper beryllium frame I've seen for sale since I bought mine from Olympic Arms years ago. I know you guys like unique stuff like this, so maybe one of you will end up picking it up! Just search for "beryllium 1911" and it will pop up. I'm not affiliated with the seller in anyway (no idea who he is), I just wanted to start a conversation on something interesting.
The AR15 lowers were made by Olympic Arms in 1991 as a limited edition. They're very heavy, so they might be good for building heavier target rifles. Put one next to a normal aluminum receiver and the weight difference is substantial, it's definitely something different.
It was supposed to be a whole rifle, but only a few of those were ever made and they usually have SGW (Schuetzen Gun Works, the predecessor/parent company of Olympic Arms) engraved on the left side of the magwell. Mine don't have anything on either side of the magwell, except the serial number. The few rifles that Olympic Arms did complete had an A2 upper with built in carry handle. These were made a few years before the picatinny rails were invented, so I don't think they really had another option.
They have a TBOR prefix to the serial number, it stands for The Bill Of Rights. It was supposed to be a limited edition to Celebrate the Bicentennial anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791. I don't know why they didn't fulfill this limited edition, probably has to do with the beryllium alloy or ridiculous gun laws.
I think the 1911 frames were made by Safari Arms, which was owned by Olympic Arms. The pistol frames and AR15 lowers were probably made around the same time, but the 1911 frames could predate the AR15 lowers by a few years. Safari Arms did make a few finished copper beryllium 1911's.
Since these are copper, it will oxidize and acquire some patina. You could polish the receivers/frames so it's nice and shiny, then coat it in clear cerakote to preserve the brilliant finish. Or you can let it patina and it will look like an old penny. Lots of character that way and each one will be totally unique.
Here's my 3 sets (was my 3 sets, I recently gave 2 sets to friends). The AR15 lowers are finished, but the 1911 frames are just 80%. I have no idea who to send them to for finishing, does anyone have any suggestions?
I'm bringing up this topic because an unfinished 1911 copper beryllium frame just popped up on gunbroker. I think the seller also sold a few finished frames, he might be out of those and moved on to selling the 80% ones (I doubt he has many, maybe this is his only one). This is the first 80% 1911 copper beryllium frame I've seen for sale since I bought mine from Olympic Arms years ago. I know you guys like unique stuff like this, so maybe one of you will end up picking it up! Just search for "beryllium 1911" and it will pop up. I'm not affiliated with the seller in anyway (no idea who he is), I just wanted to start a conversation on something interesting.
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