It happens when you deal with colt - Colt 223 Rem/ 556 NATO M4 Feed Ramps Upper

I want to preface this by saying that I did not buy my upper from Optics Planet, but instead received it through RSR and it was the exact same way. No "C"; no cage code... just the square forge mark. This upper actually came in a group of uppers that were marked. The general picture that I am seeing, based on my experience with countless Colt parts, is that these unmarked items are still Colt products as Colt is becoming increasingly inconsistent when it comes to markings. It is possible however, that there are third party facilities that may be making some of these parts, per the TDP, for mil contractors such as Colt and FN. There is currently an ongoing lawsuit between the workers union and Colt over Colt outsourcing the production of parts, in violation of a collective bargaining agreement, but I am speculating but believe that these outsourcing facilities probably aren't your typical facilities where companies such as PSA, BCM, or whoever sources parts from. I say this because there are examples, one in particular, of an upper being received by a military armorer (in a combat zone) through the military supply chain that was stamped with the "C" as well as FN's cage code. The only way I see this happening is if it is coming from a facility that produces products for both Colt and FN for military use. The reason I gave a 4 star rating here is that it is clear that if you order the upper here, it may not have the "C" mark which is a big deal for some people who like to do the whole cloning thing or whatever, however, the product is still made exactly to the specifications of the TDP and still maintains the same quality as any part being produced for military service. Quality is there even if the C is not.