Chapter 3 – Models & Variations of the Centaure

3.2 First Model or Regular New Model Army (RNMA)

 

3.2 3.2.1   3.2.1.1 3.2.1.1.1 3.2.1.1.2 3.2.1.1.3 3.2.1.1.4 3.2.1.1.5 3.2.1.1.6   3.2.1.2 3.2.1.2.1 3.2.1.2.2 3.2.1.2.3 3.2.1.2.4   3.2.1.3 3.2.1.3.1 3.2.1.3.2 3.2.1.3.3 3.2.1.3.4 3.2.1.3.5 3.2.1.3.6   3.2.1.4 3.2.1.4.1 3.2.1.4.2 3.2.1.4.3 3.2.1.4.4   3.2.1.5 3.2.1.5.1 3.2.1.5.2 3.2.1.5.3 3.2.1.6. 3.2.1.6.1 3.2.1.6.2 3.2.1.6.3 3.2.1.6.4 3.2.1.6.5   3.2.1.7. 3.2.1.7.1 3.2.1.7.2

First Model or Regular New Model Army (RNMA) Common Characteristics of the Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) RNMA 1st Variation – Key Features RNMA 1st Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 1st Variation 2nd Sub-Variation RNMA 1st Variation 3rd Sub-Variation RNMA 1st Variation – Extra Cylinders RNMA 1st Variation – Pricing, Serial Number Ranges RNMA 1st Variation – FAQ   RNMA 2nd Variation – Key Features RNMA 2nd Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 2nd Variation 2nd Sub-Variation RNMA 2nd Variation – Pricing, Serial Number Ranges RNMA 2nd Variation – FAQ   RNMA 3rd Variation – Key Features RNMA 3rd Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 3rd Variation 2nd Sub-Variation Recollections of contemporary Witness Paul Roberts RNMA 3rd Variation 3rd Sub-Variation RNMA 3rd Variation – Pricing, Serial Number Ranges RNMA 3rd Variation – FAQ   RNMA 4th Variation – Key Features RNMA 4th Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 4th Variation 2nd Sub-Variation RNMA 4th Variation 3rd Sub-Variation RNMA 4th Variation – Pricing, Serial Number Ranges   RNMA 5th Variation – Key Features RNMA 5th Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 5th Variation 2nd Sub-Variation RNMA 5th Variation – Pricing, Serial Number Ranges   RNMA 6th Variation – Key Features RNMA 6th Variation 1st Sub-Variation RNMA 6th Variation 2nd Sub-Variation RNMA 6th Variation 3rd Sub-Variation RNMA 6th Variation – Pricing, Serial Number Ranges RNMA 6th Variation – FAQ   RNMA 7th Variation – Key Features RNMA 7th Variation – Serial Number Ranges RNMA 7th Variation – Pending Issues

 

3.2.1

Common Characteristics of the Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs)

 

The findings on these Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) are based on recent reviews and new evaluations of the transatlantic research program executed by Panhandle Paden in Lubbock, Texas and I in Hofheim, Germany. Available for the task were 1,393 regular production specimens recorded in the survey of this Centaure & FROCS website https://wp.1960nma.org/ per August 2022.

 

Barrel	8″
Frame	3-screw, recoil shield with notches for the attachment of a shoulder stock
Co. of origin mark	usually MADE IN BELGIUM on butt
S/N prefix	none
Comments	The Centaure model most often observed. Some variants were exclusively available in the U.S.A. or Europe.

 

Seven (7) variations and their many, many sub-variations of this 1st Model or Regular New Model Army (RNMA) have been discovered and documented since 2007 when this project was started. The variants are described and pictured below in some detail. Roughly 81 % of the total Centaure production accrued over the five (5) basic models are made up of RNMAs.

No rules without exceptions: During the early 1960s Centennial Arms Corp. of Chicago’s suburb Lincolnwood, IL. especially ordered a number of RNMAs (and Civilians and Cavalries as well – check subject chapters 3.3 and 3.4 for details) right off the production floor „in the white“ without any marks, markings and proof tests for their Colterization projects.

Until sometime in 1970 backstraps were welded together from 2-parts with the buttstrap bent-over. We call this the 1st version or early backstrap. They were made with and without a toe on the butt. Most RNMAs carry the country-of-origin mark MADE IN BELGIUM on the buttstrap. The mark was placed there by a manual operation.

A few RNMAs recorded are fitted with buttstraps without the country-of-origin mark. Why? Please, consider these explanations:

1) Human factor, the technician in charge at F.A.U.L. on the production floor simply forgot to stamp the buttstrap because it was one of these Mondays,

2) More often these were special order New Model Armies for sale within Belgium. Included are some Centaures sold at the U.S. PX in Brussels. These pistols came eventually into their respective home countries with their (NATO) owners like to France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, the U.S.A. etc.,

3) Or they were special order pistols for an external engraving task.

From some time in 1970 the 2nd version backstraps was manufactured as 1-piece casts. The country-of-origin mark of these RNMAs was an integrated element of the cast.

 

3.2.1.1

RNMA 1st Variation – Key Features

 

Cylinder	rebated, plain
Finish	„traditional“ blued/color case hardened (b cch)
Comments	Produced from 1959 to 1973.

 

The 1st variation of the RNMAs was the first variant produced from 1959. With its rebated, plain cylinder and traditional finish this is classic Centaure. More importantly it is The Mother of All New Model Armies (NMAs).

The three (3) sub-variations of the RNMA 1st variation combined account for ca. 40 % of all Centaures produced.

 

3.2.1.1.1

RNMA 1st Variation 1st Sub-Variation

 

Notch on butt	yes
Logo	none
Barrel marking	„1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“
Chambers	large
Arbor	1st version
Hammer spur	1st and 2nd version
Comments	Produced between 1959 and 1961. Few very early ones are model guns stamped with Ms instead of visible serial numbers, see chapter 3.1.2. This sub-version was imported to and sold in the U.S.A. only.

 

3.2.1.1.1_1 #87 typical specimen of RNMA 1st variation 1st sub-variation made in 1959 for the official U.S. launch, discovered in January 2010 in the preowned drawer of a gun shop in Las Vegas, NV.: Note „as new condition“, no centaur logo on forward left side of frame,1st version hammer spur, oiled grips

 

3.2.1.1.1_2 Left side view of #313 another early production RNMA from 1960: Discovered in the U.S.A. in January 2020, no logo, original carton

 

3.2.1.1.1_3 Right side view of RNMA #313: Note brilliantly polished traditional finish, varnished grips and the historically correct low-profile front sight like the 19th century Colt 1860s

 

3.2.1.1.1_4 Butt strap of RNMA 1st variation 1st sub-variation #128: Note toe on butt, country-of-origin mark MADE IN BELGIUM between screw head and toe

 

3.2.1.1.2

RNMA 1st Variation 2nd Sub-Variation

 

Notch on butt	yes
Logo	rampant (early) or walking centaur (intermediate and late production)
Barrel markings	„1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“ „1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“ CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK „1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“
Chambers	in line with production period large (early), mide-size (intermediate), small (late)
Arbor	in line with production period all four (4) versions (early to late) are found
Hammer spur	in line with production period all four (4) versions (early to late) are found
Comments	Produced between 1961 and 1973. Sold on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

3.2.1.1.2_1 Typical specimen of early production RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #2851 from 1963: Note early low-profile front sight, rampant centaur logo, 3rd version hammer spur

 

3.2.1.1.2_2 Typical specimen of late production RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #10012 from 1970: Note high-profile front sight, walking centaur logo, 4th version hammer spur

 

3.2.1.1.2_3 Butt strap of RNMA #10422: Note country-of-origin mark MADE IN BELGIUM, upside down stamped 2-line German importer mark of B. HARLOS RIEDEN on left side of toe

 

3.2.1.1.3

RNMA 1st Variation 3rd Sub-Variation