1958 Sudanese Contract AR10 Battle Rifle

Bartok5

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After a year-long Registration Transfer process, this OIC 12(3) 1958 AR10 Battle Rifle manufactured by Artillerie Inrichtingen is finally mine. Made under license for the Armalite company, this rifle was part of the AR10's first significant contract for 2500 rifles to re-equip the Sudanese Army.

The "Sudanese" AR10's distinguishing feature was its ultra light weight at 7.3 lbs due to a heavily fluted "pencil" Barrel. The rifle's resulting balance is fantastic with superb overall ergonomics, albeit focused exclusively on the Right-handed firer.


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The very rare Solingen Germany-manufactured Bayonet for the Sudanese-contract AR10 rifle contained a unique Multi-Tool which includes tÄĄe specific key for adjusting the Rifle's Gas Block. It also contains a locking Cork-Screw for "liberated" vino that can double as a last-ditch Defensive Tool....


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(y)
I have shot both the Sudanese and Portuguese pattern AR-10 rifles. They are impressive. It is unfortunate that they did not get into series production sooner.
 
Thats just fricken AWESOME!
Were they ever fielded Mark? Looks brand new

Yes, this one saw limited service, although I must say that it was in the best condition of any Sudanese contract AR10 rifle that I have ever seen. The bore is immaculate, which is the key as most were heavily pitted by the use of corrosive cartridge primers. The next item to suffer on the Sudanese rifles is usually the woven fibreglass Handguard. They "soften" from use and become deformed as the "glass" cracks over time. The Handguard on this example is fortunately as close to 100% solid as I have ever seen.

The rifle looks unissued because I restored the external finish. I gave the metal components a light refresh with Glacier Black, air-cure CeraKote to re-cover the worn edges and high points. The Green paint on the furniture was quite badly worn, so I had it colour-matched then gave all of the furniture a fresh coat.

Tiriaq is bang-on with his comment. The original 1950s and early 60s AR10s are spectacularly good Battle Rifles, all things considered. The AR10 would have dominated the Cold War NATO scene had it not come to design fruition the proverbial "day late and a dollar short". By the time that the AR10 was ready for primetime, most nations had already committed to the FN FAL, the HK G3, or in the case of the USA, the M14. Hence the AR10's rather modest military contracts with Sudan and Portugal prior to Artillerie Inrichtingen being forced to cease production by the Dutch government in 1964.

Here's my later Portuguese variant - the very best of the AR10s with its 3-position Gas Regulator, Heavy Barrel for sustained fire, retracting Cocking Handle, wider Bolt locking lugs, and various other enhancements:


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Sudanese rifles are cool but what about sugondese
Those were after the Ligma and Bofa series but still an excellent choice. Almost up there with the wilma series in terms of quality .

As always Bartok excellent firearms. I very much would have liked one of the Brownells retro AR10s along with one of their retro Viteman era AR's.
 
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