Chapter 2 – Facts and Figures

2.3 Factory Markings and Dealer Stamps

 

2.3   2.3.1   2.3.1.1 2.3.1.2 2.3.1.3   2.3.1.4   2.3.1.5   2.3.2 2.3.3   2.3.3.1 2.3.3.2 2.3.3.3 2.3.4 2.3.5   2.3.5.1 2.3.5.2 2.3.6 2.3.6.1 3.3.7 3.3.8

Factory Markings and Naval Scenes on Cylinders Centaure Top of the Barrel Markings – Regular Production No Top of the Barrel Marking „1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“ CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CHIGAGO U.S.A. “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK BLACK POWDER ONLY The Centaur Logo – Rampant, Walking or Nothing at All No Logo Rampant Centaur Logo Walking Centaur Logo Country of Origin Mark Naval Engagement Scenes on the Cylinders Centaure Proprietary Naval Scene Colt/Ormsby-Style Naval Scene Importers, Distributors and Dealers European Business Partners Thoughts about Availability Myth Buster – Distrubution of Centaures in the U.S.A. and Europe

 

2.3.1

Centaure Top of the Barrel Markings – Regular Production

 

Between the start of the Centaure production sometime in the fall of 1959 and its end during the early summer in 1973 five (5) versions of barrel marking are recorded, namely no barrel marking at all and four (4) different roll-engraved model markings on top of the barrel. Details are explained below.

 

2.3.1.1

No Top of the Barrel Marking

 

No top of the barrel marking is a rare feature of a few Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) found interspersed in the making in the years 1959, 1961 and 1964. Reasons suggested are specially ordered pistols by 1) Mars Equipment, the importer of replicas of the Shore Galleries Group 2) (for – omit) Centennial Arms Corporation, the distributor or wholesaler as well as main dealer of replicas for the Shore Galleries Group (– omit) in the U.S.A. for projects such as external embellishments or colterizations etc. The human factor is a further possibility to be considered.

Between 1967 and 1970 dealers and engravers could special order RNMAs 5th variation 1st sub-variation for external embellishments projects etc. without any (!) factory marks and markings.

 

2.3_1 RNMA 5th variation 1st sub-variation #6748 from 1967 without barrel marking and logo

 

Marshal Models and factory engraved New Model Armies (NMAs) were made between 1971 and the end of the production 1n 1973. These variants have no top of the barrel marking.

 

2.3_2 Marshal 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #12142 from 1972 without barrel marking

 

2.3_3 Factory engraved RNMA 5th variation 2nd sub-variation #11903 from 1971 without barrel marking

 

2.3.1.2

„1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“

 

This is the top of the barrel marking for the periods listed below. All RNMAs, Civilians, Cavalries and Pocket Armies produced during these years were roll-engraved with this marking except for the RNMAs specifically listed under 2.3.1.1.

 

Period	RNMAs	Civilians	Cavalries	Pocket Armies
1959	
1960			
1961			
1962				
1972	
1973	

 

2.3_4 Typical period barrel marking like on RNMA 1st variation 1st sub-variation #M4 of 1959

 

As mentioned elsewhere on this website Centennial Arms Corporation of Lincolnwood, IL. was the company that kicked-off the Centaure production for the U.S. market at Belgium’s Fabriques d‘Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.) in 1959. This had some impact on the hype a few years later of our favorite Belgian made Colt 1860 Army pattern percussion revolvers.

Centennial Arms Corp. was the distributor and main dealer of the Centaures in the U.S.A. until they withdraw from the Centaure business eventually in late 1972 or early 1973. Therefore, at their request CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK was added to top of the barrel marking “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY of the Centaures from some day in 1961 – the exact date cannot be pinpointed today – no matter where on the globe the revolvers were sold eventually.

During the last months of the Centaure production in 1973 the top of the barrel marking was “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY again.

This is how the top of the barrel marking would read:

CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”

“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CHIGAGO U.S.A

“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK

 

2.3.1.3

CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”

 

This is the version of top of the barrel marking applied for the longest period of time, see years listed below. RNMAs, Civilians and Cavalries produced during the period were roll-engraved with this marking except for the specific RNMAs listed under 2.3.1.1 above.

 

Period	RNMAs	Civilians	Cavalries
1961	
1963		
1964	
1965	
1966	
1970	
1971			
1972	
1973	

 

2.3_5 Typical barrel marking like on RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #11691 of 1971

 

2.3.1.4

“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CHIGAGO U.S.A

 

For a few months only in 1962/63 this top of the barrel marking was in use. RNMAs, Civilians and Cavalries produced during this short period were roll-engraved with this marking except for the few RNMAs specifically listed above under 2.3.1.1.

 

Period	RNMAs	Civilians	Cavalries
1962	
1963			

 

2.3_6 Typical period barrel marking like on Civilian 2nd variation #C782 of 1963

 

2.3.1.5

“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK

 

This is the top of the barrel marking for the years listed below. All RNMAs and Cavalries produced during the period carry this marking except for the specific RNMAs listed under 2.3.1.1 above.

 

Period	RNMAs	Cavalries
1963		
1965	
1966	
1967	
1968	
1969	
1970	

 

2.3_7 Typical barrel marking like on RNMA 3rd variation 2nd sub-variation #4331 of 1965

 

2.3.2

BLACK POWDER ONLY

 

No Centaure has surfaced with such a mark. This is in contrast to most Italian replicas

 

2.3.3

The Centaur Logo – Rampant, Walking or Nothing at All

 

The vast majority of all Centaure models from around the fall of 1960 until the end of production in 1973 is featuring a logo. It was stamped on the forward left side of the frame. Centaures with logo were marked either with a rampant (early production) or a walking (mid-term and late production) logo.

 

2.3.3.1

No Logo

 

A number of Centaures are recorded with no logo at all.

Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) beginning with the first ones manufactured in 1959, i.e. #M1 until #1141 (currently highest such serial number in the survey, assumed to be sometime in 1961) were not stamped with a centaur logo.

 

2.3_8 No logo on RNMA 1st variation 1st sub-variation #480 from 1960

 

Ca. 60+ RNMAs 5th variations 1st sub-variations were deliberately manufactured without any factory markings and no logo between 1967 and 1970. These RNMAs were special ordered for external embellishment projects, see also above under 2.3.1.1.

Very few regular production RNMAs of later production without a logo are recorded. They are an extremely rare find. We believe they just slipped through the F.A.U.L. quality control.

None of the Civilian Models 1st variations are stamped with a logo. This variant is serial numbered between #C1 and #C441 (highest serial number currently recorded from around fall of 1960). The exception of this rule is #C545 without logo but all features of a Civilian Model 2nd variation!

 

2.8_9 No logo on the frame of Civilian 1st variation #C418 from 1960

 

Likewise, none of the factory engraved Marshals (only recorded in De Luxe style) and RNMAs (De Luxe, Super De Luxe and Presentation style) were stamped with a logo.

 

2.3_10 No logo on the frame of RNMA 5th variation 2nd sub-variation factory engraved in De Luxe style #11834 from 1971

 

2.3.3.2

Rampant Centaur Logo

 

A rampant centaur with the front legs raised and the rifle pointing upwards is found on all Civilian Models 2nd variation (#C459 to #C932) (but – omit) (note exception #C545 mentioned above) all Cavalry Models 1st variation (#F1 to #F1000) and all Pocket Army Models.

 

2.3_11 Rampant centaur logo

 

Of the RNMAs specimens from serial number #1153 of sometime in 1961 (lowest serial number currently recorded) to #3377 in 1964 (highest serial number recorded) have this rampant centaur logo stamped on the left side of their frames.

 

2.3_12 Rampant centaur logo of RNMA 2nd variation 1st sub-variation #1833 from 1962

 

2.3.3.3

Walking Centaur Logo

 

A walking centaur with the rifle pointing downwards will be found on all New Model Armies (NMAs) produced from sometime in 1964. Currently the lowest serial number is #3405 in the RNMA Models.

None of the Civilians, Cavalries 1st variation or Pocket Armies surfaced with this logo. Simply their making was discontinued before the switch!

 

2.3_13 Walking Centaur logo

 

No explanation can be offered why in 1964 the rampant logo was discontinued and the switch to the walking logo occurred. Rumors persist of (legal?) issues between Colt in Hartford and either Centennial Arms Corp. of Lincolnwood, IL. or Fabriques d‘Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.) in Belgium regarding the use of rampant Centaure logo. Some initiates feel the F.A.U.L. logo was too closely resembling the rampant Colt logo and it had to be sacrificed to solve issues.

 

2.3_14 Walking centaur logo of RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #5105 from 1966

 

2.3.4

Country-of-Origin Mark

 

Most New Model Armies (NMAs) have the mark MADE IN BELGIUM on the butt strap. The mark was applied by manual operation to the 1st version or early type of backstraps – 2-parts bent-over version– whereas it was an integral part of the 2nd version or late cast version. For details see 2.1.6.2.

 

2.3_15 Country-of-origin mark of Cavalry 1st variation 1st sub-variation #F490 of 1962: MADE IN BELGIUM manually applied to buttstrap, note relatively small fonts

 

2.3_16 MADE IN BELGIUM mark of factory engraved RNMA 5th variation 2nd sub-variation #12208 from 1972: Mark is integrated element of cast backstrap, note comparatively bold fonts

 

A few Centaures of 1963 production are recorded with an additional MADE IN BELGIUM mark on the left side of the barrel. Why this second country of origin stamp was applied is not known.

 

2.3_17 Second MADE IN BELGIUM mark on the barrel lug close to proof house markings of RNMA 2nd variation 1st sub-variation #2442

 

Of the shoulder stocks fitted to Cavalries 1st variation quite a number of stocks is recorded with a MADE IN BELGIUM stamp applied to the left side of the yoke.

 

2.3_18 MADE IN BELGIUM on the left side of yoke of shoulder stock of #F566 from 1962

 

A few early and mid-term production Centaures are known without country of origin stamp. They may have been set aside for Belgian dealers.

 

2.3_19 No country-of-origin mark on the butt of RNMA 1st variation 3rd sub-variation #7702 from 1968

 

2.3.5

Naval Engagement Scenes on the Cylinders

 

Centaures with two styles of a naval engagement scene roll-engraved on the forward band of their cylinders were marketed. Among Centaure collectors one is called the Centaure proprietary the other the Colt/Ormsby-style naval scene. Of both styles two different types are known.

 

2.3_20 Centaure RNMAs 2nd variation 1st subvariation #1833 with Centaure proprietary and 3rd variation 2nd sub-variation #5252 Colt/Ormsby naval engagement scene (picture courtesy Terushi Jumbo, Düsseldorf/Germany)

 

2.3.5.1

Centaure Proprietary Naval Scene

 

Cylinders with these scenes were manufactured and roll-engraved at Fabriques d‘Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.) in Belgium. This scene is quite similar to the famous Colt/Ormsby pattern of yesteryear but shows less background details. Two versions or types are recognized:

Type 1: The legend  Engaged 16 MAY 1843 is engraved parallel to the front rim of the cylinders of

• model pistol Regular New Model Army (RNMA) 2nd variation 1st sub-variation #M5 of 1959 (see also chapter 3.1.2) and
• Civilian Models 1st variation. Between the scene’s ends you find the marking NEW MODEL 44.

 

2.3_21 Cylinder of Civilian 1st variation #C418: Note type 1 Centaure proprietary scene: with legend ENGAGEND 16 MAY 1843

 

At the request (!) of the Ohio Gun Collectors Association this legend was omitted as early as in fall 1960. This move was perceived necessary to prevent the use of these cylinders in fakery.

Type 2: This is the same naval scene as in type 1 without the legend ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843. The marking NEW MODEL 44 is stamped between the scene’s ends like found in type 1 above. Type 2 cylinders were found fitted to

• Civilian Models 2nd variation,
• RNMAs 2nd variation,
• Cavalry Models 1st variation 3rd sub-variation (pictorial proof only),
• Pocket Army Models 1st variation (know from descriptions in ads only).

 

2.3_22 Cylinder of RNMA 2nd variation 1st sub-variation #2689 type 2 Centaure proprietary scene from 1963: No legend, marking NEW MODEL 44 between the scene’s ends

 

This proprietary engraving was used for the making of extra cylinders, too. They were offered through the Belgian factory and their dealer network.

 

2.3.5.2

Colt/Ormsby-Style Naval Scene

 

As explained above, cylinders with the Centaure proprietary naval scene were roll-engraved at Fabriques d‘Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.). This does not apply to this Colt, or Ormsby-style, scene. According to the management of U.S. Centaure distributor and main dealer Centennial Arms Corp., Chicago, IL the American shooters did not like the Centaure proprietary scene. Hence, the drivers at Centennial Arms, William B. Edwards and Sig Shore had noted U.S. gunmaker Thomas Haas produce a roll cylinder die with the Ormsby-style naval engagement scene, like the one used on Colt 1851 and 1861 Navies, 1860 Armies and 1871/72 Open Top.

According to more recent findings, however this die was produced by master gunsmith, engraver and jeweler Horacio Q. Acevedo Sr., not by Haas. Acevedo used to work for Haas during the 1960s.

Centennial Arms Corp. ordered their Centaure New Model Armies (NMAs) through sister company Mars Equipment Corp. from F.A.U.L. with their cylinders blank, i.e. as what today’s collectors call Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) 1st variation. Upon arrival most of these RNMAs‘ cylinders would then be roll-engraved with this Colt/Ormsby die in the Centennial Arms Corp. shop in Lincolnwood, IL., U.S.A. This clever process transformed RNMAs 1st variations into RNMAs 3rd variations.

These RNMA 3rd variation cylinders bear the legend ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843 parallel to the rim of the cylinder. Exactly the same legend which drove the Ohio Gun Collectors Association up in arms earlier in connection with the Centaure proprietary naval scene. But a few years later nobody seem to have cared anymore.

Cylinders with three types of (additional) markings between the scene’s ends could be identified:

Type 1: Between the scene’s ends of subject cylinders of RNMAs 3rd variation 1st sub-variation the legend COLTS PATEND NO plus serial number of a few pistols has been found embossed. Today we believe this is one of the experimental markings used on the first few pistols with this type of cylinder scene. The pistols discovered are in the serial number range below #1500. From a collector’s point of view they are extremely desirable, rare finds.

 

2.3_23 Cylinder of RNMA 3rd variation 1st sub-variation #1423 type 1 Colt/Ormsby scene: Note experimental marking including serial number between the scene’s ends

 

Type 2: On the RNMAs 3rd variation pistols with higher serial numbers the regular marking between the scene’s ends was CENTENNIAL. With toe on the butt for the attachment of a shoulder stock the RNMAs 3rd variation become a 2nd sub-variation, without said toe a 3rd sub-variation.

 

2.3_24 Cylinder of RNMA 3rd variation 2nd sub-variation #4331 type 2 Colt/Ormsby scene from 1965: CENTENNIAL between the scene’s ends

 

Type 3: A few RNMAs 3rd variations were discovered in the #9000 and #10000 serial number range without the CENTENNIAL marking. This is assumed to be due to a worn out die.

 

2.3_25 Cylinder of RNMA 3rd variation 3rd sub-variation #9176 type 2 Colt/Ormsby scene from 1970: No CENTENNIAL marking between the scene’s ends

 

2.3.6

Importers, Distributors and Dealers

 

As pointed out already, Centennial Arms Corporation of Lincolnwood IL. U.S.A. was unique in many respects. Among others they are the only distributor and dealer of Centaures whose name was ever prominently featured as part of the top of the barrel marking of many Centaures sold all over the world.

In this context a few interesting aspects deserve to be shared. Centennial Arms Corp. was in charge of the North American Centaure business which by definition included Canada. From what we know from the Belgian F.A.U.L. HQ, however, they were officially not supposed to do any export business.  Still the factory „tolerated“ some export to New Zealand and to Great Britain. Regarding the latter F.A.U.L. even helped with revolvers from their inventory when Sig Shore hand-carried Centaures via Belgium to J. Roberts & Son in London (see chapters 2.3.7 2.3.7, 2.6.3, 3.2.1.3.3, 3.3.1.5).

As far as the European markets in the 1960 and early 1970s are concerned F.A.U.L. was supposed to take care of business with the Centaures there.

 

2.3.6.1

European Business Partners

 

In addition to the ca. 50 Centaures hand-carried to Great Britain by Sig Shore other purchases by gun importers and dealers from European markets were noted. According to our data between 1960 and 1965 spotty shipments are recorded to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland6. But, no dealer’s names are known because the guns were not yet to be stamped by the importer. But his was soon to change.

In 1966 and 1968, respectively, two Regular New Model Armies (RNMA) are recorded with the German Oskar Hanke stamp or signature rather. Hanke was a renowned gunsmith from the Cologne area. We have to believe he purchased the two pistols directly from the factory because from Cologne Liège is just around the corner. At that time the border was pretty wide open between Germany and Belgium. No gun license was required to purchase or own percussion revolvers .

 

2.3_26 Oskar Hanke’s signature stamp on RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #5118 right next from the wedge screw

 

In 1969 and 1970 imports to Germany of Belgian Centaures were seemingly becoming a more regular affair. Five RNMAs are recorded wearing the importer stamps of three German gun dealers: JACOBI from Iserlohn, NEUMANN from Langenzenn and WITHUM from Kressbronn on Lake Constance.

 

2.3_27 The importer stamp of dealer JACOBI on the left side of the frame of  RNMA 1st variation 3rd sub-variation #8906

 

2.3_28 The importer stamp of dealer NEUMANN on the forward segment of the triggerguard of  RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #10014

 

Currently recorded are two NEUMANN imports namely RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variations #10012 and #10014 from 1970.

 

2.3_29 Close-up of the Neumann importer stamp

 

Regarding the third dealer/importer it is my considered assumption that during the late 1960s the owner Werner Withum was primarily busy as a gunsmith and gun maker of historical target rifles.

 

2.9_30 Gunsmith’s Werner Withum importer stamp on triggerguard of RNMA 1st variation 3rd sub-variation #9291

 

However, from around 1970 Withum focused his activities more on importing and selling guns and renamed the company WIKE. In 1971 and 1972 the last two Centaure RNMA sales were recorded through this new company with the WIKE importer stamp.

 

2.3_31 Gun dealer’s WIKE importer stamp above the barrel lug proof house marks on RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #11779

 

It should be noted that F.A.U.L.’s new German exclusive importer Bärbel Harlos of Schwäbisch Hall not only acted as importer; but, as a distributor and dealer of Centaures (and other replicas) as well. The Bärbel Harlos company had been appointed in 1971. They soon became the new star in the European Centaure universe (see also chapter 3.1.3) and a leading replica dealer. Like Centennial Arms Corp. in the U.S.A. previously, Harlos not only sold tons of Belgian New Model Armies they also closely cooperated with the Belgians (from today’s perspective we should call that „pushed“) regarding the extension of the Centaure line of models, variations and sub-variations. The German Centaure business, and a lot of the European too, was channeled through Harlos between 1971 and 1973.

1. Currently, two different Harlos importer stamps are recorded found on Centaures imported by Harlos into Germany (see also chapter 3.1):

B.HARLOS

RIEDEN

1. Stamped in two lines on the buttstrap, often right above the country-of-origin mark MADE IN BELGIUM. > 98 % of the Centaures recorded with a Harlos stamp carry this stamp.

 

2.3_32 Typical 2-line B.HARLOS RIEDEN importer stamp on butt of Cavalry 2nd variation 2nd sub-variation #F11103

 

2. On the other hand this same 2-line stamp located above the serial number of the barrel lug flat is a very rare find.

2. The other similarly rare Harlos stamp reads B.HARLOS in 1-line. First it was accidentally found under the barrel of a Marshal factory engraved in DeLuxe style during a cleaning session.

 

2.3_33 Rare 1-line B.HARLOS importer stamp under barrel  of  DeLuxe factory engraved Marshal  #13528

 

Regarding the two last stamps – 1b. in two lines with RIEDEN in the second line and 2. in one line just B.HARLOS – mentioned and due to currently only few specimen documented for further analysis no pattern can be determined yet as to when and why which of the altogether three types of Harlos importer stamps were applied. At the last count between the last two they account for less than 2 % of the Harlos imported Centaures.

 

2.3.7

Thoughts about Availability

 

As a Centaure collector you may want to consider this: Regular New Model Armies /RNMAs) 3rd variation pistols are the most often discovered Centaure variants in the U.S.A. Only a few specimens were hand-carried to a gunsmith and dealer J. Roberts & Son of London in the United Kingdom by Sig Shore during the mid-1960s. This was a compensation for a WW1/WW2 surplus rifle deal. Which implies these RNMAs 3rd variation were not sold originally (!) on the European mainland. This makes them desirable collectors‘ pieces on the Eastern banks of the Big Pond.

 

2.3.8

Myth Buster – Distribution of Centaures in the U.S.A. and Europe

1.	U.S. Models, Variations and Sub-Variations RNMA 1st Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 2nd Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 3rd Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 3rd Variation 3rd Sub-Variation Civilian 1st Variation Cavalry 1st Variation all Sub-Variations Pocket Army all Variations
2.	European Models, Variations and Sub-Variations RNMA 2nd Variation 2nd Sub-Variation RNMA 4th Variation all Sub-Variations RNMA 6th Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 6th Variation 3rd Sub-Variation RNMA 7th Variation Marshal 1st Variation 1st Sub-Variation Marshal 2nd Variation all Sub-Variations RNMA 5th Variation 2nd Sub-Variation Super De Luxe Factory Engraved Marshal 1st Variation 2nd Sub-Variation De Luxe Factory Engraved
3.	„Universally“ Available Models, Variations and Sub-Variations RNMA 1st Variation 2nd Sub-Variation RNMA 1st Variation 3rd Sub-Variation RNMA 3rd Variation 2nd Sub-Variation RNMA 5th variation all Sub-Variations RNMA 6th Variation 2nd Sub-Variation Civilian 2nd Sub-Variation Cavalry 2nd Variation all Sub-Variations Marshal 1st Variation 2nd Sub-Variation RNMA 5th Variation 2nd Sub-Variation De Luxe Factory Engraved RNMA 5th Variation 2nd Sub-Variation Presentation Factory Engraved

 

 

Updated August 12, 2024/WDN

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