Manufacturer Identity question

[Boomer454]

I purchased an AR on the EE a few weeks ago and have a question.

I was told that it was a Dlask lower, and a Rock River Arms upper.

The lower is very plainly marked Dlask of course, but there is no way (that I can see) to tell who the upper was made by...

The reason I ask is that I bought what I was told is a Colt carry handle, and it has the same marking as the upper. (see pics) It is the only mark on both parts...

My question is. How can you tell who made an upper? Or anything other than the lower for that matter?

 

[b-wingpilot]

Looks like the manufacturer is cardinal forge. I beleive Colt is usually marked CH/CK/CM or in the case of .mil issue it is unmarked.

 

[koalorka]

Cardinal does forgings for a bunch of AR manufacturers. LMTs are usually cardinal.

 

[BattleRife]

Lowers are easy.

Barrels are usually possible.

A handful of uppers are marked by their manufacturer, LMT and Armalite come to mind. Apart from that, there is no way to tell.

 

[Leg]

Looks like the manufacturer is cardinal forge. I beleive Colt is usually marked CH/CK/CM or in the case of .mil issue it is unmarked.

Cardinal Forge is just that, a forge. They make the forging and that is it. The forgings are then sent to various manufacturers who then do all of the machining. The same forge can supply Colt and Model 1 sales for example. It doesn't mean that they are made to same standards or specs. A few companies identify their uppers but most do not. For example Colt, Diemaco and Armalite all have identifying marks built into the forgings. Colt has the C as well as the regular forge mark, Diemaco the stylized D and Armalite has an AR with crosshairs. Some others will engrave their uppers, like LMT and Sabre defence.

If no markings are present than it's impossible to tell who made it, although if purchased as a factory original upper than the markings on the barrel may give a clue as to the manufacturer.