Hey Rex. We can look at it in two ways: They ARE the last known M16s and SMG's to transfer out of Colt's possession. They are NOT the highest SN's to transfer out from Colt. Ruben just posted an M16A2 with serial number 8113601. His is a period correct M16A2. The Black Rifle guns (80300XX) from the John Keosayian collection are earlier/older serial numbers than Rubens but the guns are "physically" 25 years newer. The black rifle M16A2s (80300XX) were "physically" updated/refreshed at Colt in 2008 with factory Colt tooling prior to transferring out from Colts possession. The single digit serial number SMGs like my HT000009 were "physically" updated/refreshed" in 2004.
They were the last guns to my knowledge to transfer out of Colt on a Form-3 to John's personal SOT02. I know that because it is recorded in the Colt database. I did not ask when they transferred out but sometime between 2008 when they were manufactured, I mean "Physically" updated/refreshed at Colt, and 2015 when they were brokered by David, Chad and Ed. I'm guessing around 2012 is when they transferred out from Colt.
You can make a movie on the Keosayian collection and the whole brokered deal, whole story is super interesting. John was not a CEO, I don't think he was even an formal executive at Colt. From what I gathered John was/is a very wealthy individual that got his wealth outside of Colt. It was told to me that John bailed Colt out of bankruptcy in the late 70s early 80s with his own money. For that, he basically had the keys to the place. Actually, not figuratively speaking, he DID have the keys to the place.
So from what I was told, he would stay in the loop on all R&D and prototypes. If he saw a prototype gun that he though was interesting, he would take it with no questions asked. One offs, unique variants, he would have them for himself. I could not imagine what kind of crazy guns he has in his personal collection that he did not part with. These black rifles were from Keosayian but not really from his "collection" per say. I'm sure he kept a couple of examples of the black rifles for himself, but the bulk of it was to get a return on his investment back in 1985.
He was/is a visionary or at least an incredible businessman. In 1985 he registered many dozens of MG serial numbers. M16A2, A1, X-prefix protos, SMGs. Whether these SN's were on physical guns in 1985 is up for speculation. They are sometimes considered greyarea guns. Some of them might be legit 1985 guns, but the most were "physically" updated/assembled in 2004 and 2008 using old M16A1. A2 and SMG die stamps. Which is why earlier I said these guns are modern day military weapons' with retro diestamps. Proving they are post bans would be impossible. The ATF turned a blind eye to it as they never transferred out from manufacturer. Nor does the ATF have the will, drive or resources to investigate Colt. Design wise, they might have post 2000 M4 receiver features, but who is to say they aren't 1985 prototypes with those exact features? Like I said before, the chances of that are very unprobeable, but prove it...
Secondly, we're talking about Colt here. You think the ATF/Gov is going to investigate the US military's main supplier of small arms for making ~100 "counterfit" preban machineguns? Thirdly, Colt's 400 lawyers would squash any sort of investigation. I know my M16A2 receivers were born in 2008 (It was manufactured in December 1985 AND manufactured in June 2008), but even if they were born in 1985, I could not prove they were born in 1985. They never left Colt in 30 years. It could be a 1985, 1989, 1996 or maybe even a 2005. Mine in the eyes of the court is a 1985 with prototyped M4 features unless definitively proven otherwise. John had the ability to hand over a list of SN's and retro diestamps to the production line manager at anytime. Who knows how many he did over the years. I started off mentioning Rubens legit M16A2 he listed. It looks 1985 and period correct but has a newer serial number then the black rifles. Seems like a no questions asked 1985 gun... However, with Johns history, who is to say it was not put through the line in 1987, manufactured to the still period correct finish and features then transferred out from Colt in 1991? It is very possible. Unless you personally bought your Colt before 86 who knows how many were counterfeit pre-86 guns. A1s, A2s SMGs, examples of all of them were made at the factory post 86 and transferred out. Could be 100, 500, 1000+. Only John would know, but I would imagine he lost count. I think the Black Rifles are just an example of the many years old scheme getting lazy, were previous guns were done more period correct, believable forgeries. By 2008 it was: "Slap M16A2 on this black painted M4A1 and ship it!"
The forth reason I have no concern when the receivers were made, is the IF, somehow, the ATF willingly, with resources wanted to purse Colt, got past their 400 lawyers and convinced the courts with proof that dozens or hundred of receivers were manufactured after 1986 and sold as pre86 guns, that would be like a Watergate type event. Call it the "Colt Pre-86 MG Scandal". Terrible publicity for Colt, which would cost them tens of millions of dollars. After all, these are guns that have retro die stamped receivers. The receivers you can not definitively prove what year they came from, but you definitely can trace a diestamp back to the physical die as you would a bullet to a barrel. Add on top of that was that the first time these "pre86" guns were form-4'ed was 2015 onward. The short form3 papertrail, just goes right back to Colt. So IF, (it would never happen) but IF the ATF won the court case and deemed the current owners purchased postbans and had to turn them over, there would be a Class action lawsuit by morning, form owners an against Colt. It would be for hundreds of thousands of dollars PER gun for damages to the plaintiff for defrauding them by selling them what the ATF deamed a counterfeit pre86 transferable. As I was telling someone earlier today: I lover my three M16A2s, I never want to part with them, they are precious to me. Buuuuttt.. I love 1.5 million dollars more... Hand them over, collect the money, buy 3 M16a2s like the one from Ruben I mentioned, 1million dollar house, Porsche GT3rs, hookers & blow.
Anyways I got a little sidetracked. But it would be interesting to make a documentary of the whole brokering of the Keosayian collection. Hearing from the horses mouth, I heard he was very secretive on lowkey with the whole transfer of guns. They had to earn his trust. Started off with a couple of guns, then build his confidence in brokering more. Then he would give them another, bigger batch, sell that then get a bigger batch of guns and so on. For the brokers this kind of client is life changing. Kudos to them for being selected to move these guns. If I was john, I too would of picked the same group of dealers. (With a client like that, these dealers are probably going to be tight lipped on the events, so I would not go nagging them for more details). I would love to meet John one day. Could you imagine how interesting it would be to talk to him? God forbid see his personal "collection"? I don't know if he has a daughter, but even if she was a balding fat chick with four eyes, I'd date her just to get access to speak and hangout with her dad. "Sorry honey, I'd love to go out to dinner for Valentines, but your dad and I are going to the range".
So there you have it folks, about as much details that I know of for the Keosayian collection, specifically the Black Rifle group of guns 80300XX. Hope you enjoyed the read.
-Snail
