Eric, a friend of Gun Lab, let me borrow his AR-10 hand guards collection to photograph and measure up.
The first set of pictures is of a very early hand guard that has not been completed. The information I obtain from this single piece is worth volumes in trying to determine how and what material they were made from. This hand guard has none of the hole drilled into it and has neither of the end caps installed.
Looking at the front end of the hand guard you can see the thickness of the sheet metal liner and the density of the foam and fiberglass outer housing.
Here you can see the seam on the hand guard when it was put together.
This view of the rear of the hand guard you can see the forming of the sheet metal for the gas tube as well as a good view of the type of foam material used.
He sent the end caps as well. This allow for a detailed examination of both pieces. Drawings were made of both of them.
The front end cap, front view.
The front end cap, rear view.
The type of material has not been accurately determined yet, still working on it.
The rear end cap has a great deal more detail to it.
The second hand guard that Eric sent is an unused Sudanese type. You can easily see the hole pattern on the hand guard.
This close up shows the fit up of the rear end cap and the grove and hole alignment.
You can see the difference between an early and the later rear end cap.
A good view of the gas tube slot in the rear hand guard.
A close up of the front end cap.
This Sudanese hand guard is from a friends parts kit.
The rear end cap design was changed between the first model and the Sudanese model
The grove for the gas tube has been increased in depth as well.
The hand guards and stock are easily damaged
Because of the damage and I now need U.S. 922r parts for my build everything on the front hand guards has been drawn up and as in the case of the rear end cap has been test run on the machines.
I started on a set of molds to make new ones in the future. Unfortunately, the first set that I made did not work correctly. A second set has been designed and programed and when time allows will be made. Projects are based upon time and if parts are available for me to complete the project.
I have to give special thanks to Eric for letting me borrow these rare components.
Just one last look of all of the hand guards in a single picture.
Looks like Bakelite
Not Bakelite, just not sure what it is. Yet
Chuck,
Your photographed hand guard ring (see below) is made from PF (Phenol formaldehyde), reinforced with canvas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenol_formaldehyde_resin
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Phenolic+Round+Rod&iax=images&iar=images&ia=images
http://gunlab.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSC_9078cs.jpg
http://gunlab.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSC_8981cs.jpg
Can’t believe I never saw this page before now. I’m a big Dutch AR-10 guy. Huge. We should talk…..
Kent
Are you sure you and to duplicate a Hollywood AR10 handguard? Why not a Sudanese contract HG like what was borrowed from Eric? Not much demand for the Hollywood handguards.
I know someone who did a short run of Sudan HG’s and he machined the rear end from phenolic composite
The one that will be made is the Sudanese one. That is the one I need for the rifle that I want to put together.
The original cap looks to be an industrial phenolic resin/woven cloth or paper fiber composite that was common in the era. It is still in use to this day. My guess is that the raw material is was made by someone like Westinghouse.
I think that the material is Paxaline that was popular foe electrical work in the 40`s and 50`s
Always the photographs you share are top notch and viewing at home on the computer is much better than thy guys that follow me around museums telling me to stop drooling on the glass.
I know there is a Sudanese handguard coming up for auction, can give you the link if you email me at: willsswords@gmail.com
Nice Article with pictures.
Thanks for sharing the information about Ar 10 with us. The AR 10 has various features which are deployed to make it a precision gun. It has Serrated Barrel Nut Clamp-On Design, Anti-Rotational Tabs and Covers up to Rifle Length Gas Systems.