1.4 The Motherload – Highlights of the Shore Collection

Chapter 1 – Myth and Motherload

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1.4

1.4.1

1.4.2

1.4.3

1.4.4

The Motherload – Highlights of the Shore Collection

Regular New Model Armies CRNMAs)

Civilian Models

Cavalry Models

Pocket Army Models

1.4.1

Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs)

#2: Until November of 2015 she was the Regular New Model Army (RNMA) with the lowest serial number recorded in the survey. In August of 2020 she still is the oldest RNMA 3rd variation. It is our considered opinion today, however, that she was used as a reference sample at Centennial Arms Corp. originally for some years before the two Shore boys Mitch and Scott applied her naval scene roll-engraving with the Haas apparatus sometime in 1961/62!

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1.4_1 RNMA 3rd variations 1st sub-variation #2 from 1959 at which time she still featured a plain cylinder making her an RNMA 1st variation 1st sub-variation

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1.4_2 Close-up of RNMA #2: Note early production barrel marking „1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“

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1.4_3 Close-up of RNMA #2: Note visible serial numbers on barrel lug, frame and triggerguard, no logo which is typical for the early Centaure production

#9.6: Another early RNMA 3rd variation 1st sub-variation with a dot between the two digits of the serial number not seen on any other Centaure documented. Even in 2020 no explanation can be proposed for this dot.

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1.4_4 RNMA 3rd variation 1st sub-variation #9.6

Please, note the unusual application of the ELG proof mark and the *Y inspector mark of Francois Delsaux near the CENTENNIAL on the anterior roll-engraved segment of the cylinder. These proof marks are normally stamped on the rebated portion of the cylinder. Delsaux served at the Liège Proof house from 1959 to 1968 when the stamping of these inspector marks was discontinued.

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1.4_5 Close-up of Cylinder of RNMA #9.6: Unusual location of ELG oval and inspector mark * over Y on forward band of cylinder

#1099: RNMA 2nd variation 1st sub-variation found with two (2) unusual features. 1) Perfectly custom fitted bi-colour grips made of horn! 2) The legend ENGAGED 16 May 1843 close to the rim of the cylinder was applied to 1st variation Civilian models only. It was discontinued at the request of the Ohio Gun Collectors Association.

1.4_6 RNMA 2nd variation 1st sub-variation #1099: Note cylinder engraved with Centaure proprietary navel scene fitted and legend ENGAGED 16 May 1843

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1.4_7 Butt view of RNMA #1099 pretty custom made horn grip fitted

#2212: Custom engraved RNMA 2nd variation 1st sub-variation. This piece of art was probably embellished by Horacio Acevedo Sr., associate of Thomas Haas during the early 1960s.

1.4_8 RNMA #2212

#6969: Cute serial number of this RNMA 1st variation 3rd sub-variation!

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1.4_9 RNMA #6969: Note visible serial number on barrel lug, frame and triggerguard

1.4.2

Civilian Models

#C1: This is the first Civilian made, found in the Shore Collection with original carton and instructions for use! It is a Civilian 1st variation. Barrel marking reads “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”. The cylinder had been roll-engraved at the Belgian factory with the Centaure proprietary naval engagement scene with legend ENGAGED 16 May 1843 close to the rim. Typically for this early production Centaure there is no centaur logo on the frame.

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1.4_10 Civilian 1st variation #C1

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1.4_11 Visible serial numbers of Civilian #C1 on barrel lug, frame and triggerguard

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1.4_12 Typically wooden grips of Civilians are varnished, triggerguard and backstrap silver plated

#C4: This Civilian 1st variation was found with the original carton.

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1.4_13 Civilian #C4 displayed on some protective cloth in original carton

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1.4_14 Visible serial numbers of Civilian #C4 on barrel lug, frame and triggerguard

#ENG No 2: Civilian custom cased in English fit with green interior, custom engraved and gold inlaid, Colt/Ormsby style naval scene on cylinder. ENG No 2 gold-inlaid on barrel lug and frame but engraved on trigger-guard. Top of the barrel marking reads Centennial.

1.4_15 Civilian #ENG No 2 displayed in custom wooden case with original DIXON marked powder flask sold through F.A.U.L., Italian bullet mould

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1.4_16 ENG No 2 gold inlaid on barrel lug and frame, engraved on triggerguard

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1.4_17 Top of barrel Centennial engraved and gold inlaid

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1.4_18 Civilian #ENG No 2: Note typo of gold inlaid MADE IN BELGUIM country of origin mark

1.4.3

Cavalry Models

#F1: This is first Cavalry Model made, complete with matching stock! The stock is stamped #F1 on top of butt plate and under the tang! This set was manufactured already in fall of 1960 but the Cavalry Models were launched in 1961 only. Top of the barrel marking is “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”. In accordance with the Coppell classification today’s collectors call this one a Cavalry 1st variation 1st sub-variation.

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1.4_19 Cavalry 1st variation 1st sub-variation #F1: Note visible serial numbers of the pistol on barrel lug, frame and triggerguard

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1.4_20 Serial number on shoulder stock of Cavalry #F1: Stamped #F1 on top strap of the buttplate

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1.4_21 #F1 is also under the tang

#F44: This is another typical Cavalry Model 1st variation 1st sub-variation with matching stock.

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1.4_22 Cavalry #F44 with matching stock pictured at Shore Galleries in February 2010

#F946: Custom cased in English fit and engraved revolver without stock. An unusual observation is the cased hardened cylinder. They are normally found blued! An Italian powder flask is added and a cap box of unknown origin. The steel made bullet mould is an original from F.A.U.L.

1.4_23 Custom cased and engraved Cavalry 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #F946 with accessories

Our research points towards Horacio Acevedo Sr. as the artist who embellished #F946, and not Thomas Haas as we were led to believe earlier.

#F11118: Singular shoulder stock fabricated in 1971 for Cavalries 2nd variation, no SILE stamp on wood under butt plate like you would usually find on 1st variation stocks.

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1.4_24 Cavalry model shoulder stock #F11118

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1.4_25 Close up of shoulder stock #F11118: Serial number on top of butt plate is stamped in two lines

Extra shoulder stock w/o serial number: Singular stock stamped MADE IN BELGIUM on the brass of the yoke. A SILE stamp was discovered under butt plate in the wood.

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1.4_26 Visible mark of extra shoulder stock is MADE IN BELGIUM on left side of yoke

These visible and hidden marks imply this is an extra shoulder stock offered for Cavalry Models 1st variation or Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs), respectively during the early 1960s.

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1.4_27 Close-up of extra shoulder stock: No serial number on top strap of butt plate

1.4.4

Pocket Army Models

The three (3) Pocket Armies 2nd variation of the Shore Collection all feature the round frame, fluted cylinder, varnished grip, silver plated triggerguard and backstrap like you find on the Civilian Models. The country of origin stamp MADE IN BELGIUM is on the buttstrap in the usual location. No serial numbers were visible on these specimens. Also they were found fitted with an unusual post type front sight. The top of the barrel markings of all three pistols inspected was “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”. Their 4″ barrels are of special production without integrated loading lever and no slot for a loading lever in barrel lug either.

First: Visible differentiation was inspector mark *U, no accessories.

1.4_28 First Pocket Army 2nd variation, *U inspector marked

Only in 2011 we were able to add serial number #8 to this First Pocket Army 2nd variation.

Second: Inspector mark *R found with the original carton

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1.4_29 Second Pocket Army 2nd variation *R inspector mark, displayed in original carton

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1.4_30 Second Pocket Army, note specially made 4″ barrel, no visible serial numbers

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1.4_31 Second Pocket Army: Barrel marking „1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“

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1.4_32 Second Pocket Army: Note post-type front sight

Years later this Second one could be identified as Pocket Army 2nd variation #4.

Third: Inspector mark *F on barrel lug and frame but *U on cylinder, original carton and brass loading rod.

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1.4_33 Third Pocket Army 2nd variation, inspector mark *F on barrel lug and frame, *U on cylinder

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1.4_34 Third Pocket, no visible serial numbers, silver plated triggerguard and backstrap

In 2020 Third was sold at U.S. internet auction house Gunbrocker and identified as Pocket Army 2nd variation #1.

But back in February 2010 these three Pocket Armies with the inspector marks *F/*U, *R and *U were the first real life specimens of this rare Centaure model I could take pictures from.

Updated August 23, 2022/WDN

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