Source: ATF P 5300.11 · Curios or Relics List · Jan 1972 – Apr 20253,573 entries · 4 sections
The C&R RegisterA finding aid to the ATF Curios or Relics List, for Type 03 collectors
C&R · IV · 004

ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 (Colt)

Section IV: still an NFA firearm, also a curio or relic

Official wording

ATF P 5300.11 · APRIL 2025 EDITION · SECTION IV · VERBATIM · PDF P. 81 ↗

Armalite, AR-15, Model 601, cal. .223, mfd. by Colt. Must be marked "Armalite."

Applies only to examples marked “Armalite.”

What this entry requires

  • ATF REQUIRESYour firearm carries the marking “marked "Armalite."”
  • ATF REQUIRESMade or imported as stated: “mfd. by Colt”
  • INFOATF states no date; production was about 1959–1964.
  • INFOStill an NFA firearm; only registered examples transfer, with ATF approval (26 U.S.C. 5812, 5861).

Editorial facts · Our research

Country
United StatesBasis: no citation
Manufacturer
Colt's Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co.Basis: the ATF wording
Type
RifleBasis: outside reference ¹
Action
Select-fire / autoBasis: no citation
Caliber
.223Basis: the ATF wording
Made
c. 1959–1964production; ATF states no dateBasis: estimate ²
Service
Commercial

Source

Official wording
ATF P 5300.11, April 2025 edition · Section IV · PDF p. 81 ↗ · ATF original ↗
Entries
1 line
Verbatim check
Checked against the PDF text before every release
Editorial facts
Confidence: Medium · Last revised 18 October 2026 (Evidence pass) · How we rate confidence
References
  1. 1. Wikipedia, “ArmaLite AR-15” ↗, type: select-fire rifle; infobox manufacturer ArmaLite and Colt's Manufacturing Company (Colt-made AR-15s are covered by the article).
  2. 2. Wikipedia, “ArmaLite AR-15” ↗, years (estimate: range of the base model): 'manufactured in the United States between 1959 and 1964'; infobox production 1959–1964.
Fact tags
  • ATF the ATF wording states it.
  • REF ¹ an outside reference supports it; the number points to the list of references.
  • ESTIMATE an approximate or indirect reading, for example the production range of the base model.
  • NO CITATION we haven’t attached a reference for this fact; it’s our editorial reading, not ATF’s.
Source checked
20 October 2026: ATF’s page still lists the April 2025 edition
Corrections
None

Historical context

ArmaLite AR-15 (base model shown for ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 (Colt))
Shown: an early ArmaLite AR-15, not specifically this Colt-made Model 601.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, “ArmaLite AR-15 SPAR 3240 DEC. 17. 2004.png” by Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain. Retrieved October 2026.

Summary: Wikipedia, “ArmaLite AR-15”. Text CC BY-SA 4.0.

FROM WIKIPEDIA

The ArmaLite AR-15 is a gas-operated assault rifle manufactured in the United States between 1959 and 1964. Designed by American gun manufacturer ArmaLite in 1956, it was based on its AR-10 rifle. The ArmaLite AR-15 was designed to be a lightweight rifle and to fire a new high-velocity, lightweight, small-caliber cartridge to allow infantrymen to carry more ammunition.