Have you ever wanted a major piece of Armalite/Colt history? Then the rifle for you is up for auction at GunBroker: A low serial Colt 601, the first AR-15 variant manufactured at Colt.

Still marked “Armalite”, this rifle’s serial number is 00059X:

Serial number highlighted by author.

The Colt 601 still retained Armalite roll marks, and “patents pending”.

Note the early duckbill flash hider, indicative of the 601. Also visible is a small remnant of green paint on the forearm.

Note the early triangular charging handle, changed with the Colt 603.

The Colt 601’s early chromed bolt carrier group; these were replaced with phosphated units in the middle of 602 production.

The 601 was the first production variant of the AR-15, and the beginning of Colt’s long legacy producing AR-15s for military and civilian customers. Aside from unattainable prototype rifles, this is the granddady of the modern .22 bore AR.

Buy It Now on the rifle is $25,000, so it’s an auction not for the faint of heart – or light of wallet.