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3.4 Third, Cavalry or Wade Hampton Model

Chapter 3 – Models & Variations of the Centaure

3.4 Third, Cavalry or Wade Hampton Model

 

 

1-FIL06905-001

 

 

 

3.4

3.4.1

3.4.1.1.

3.4.1.2

3.4.1.2.1

3.4.1.2.1.1


3.4.1.2.2

3.4.1.2.3

3.4.1.2.3.1

3.4.2

3.4.2.1

3.4.2.1.1

3.4.2.1.2

3.4.3

 

 

Third, Cavalry or Wade Hampton Model

Common Characteristics of the Cavalry Models

Shoulder Stocks of the Cavalry Models

Cavalry Models 1st Variation – Key Features

Cavalry Models 1st Variation 1st Sub-Variation

More on Shoulder Stocks and Recollections of Contemporary Witness Friedrich Hebsacker

Cavalry Models 1st Variation 2nd Sub-Variation

Cavalry Models 1st Variation 3rd Sub-Variation

Cavalry Models 1st Variation 3rd Sub-Variation – FAQ

Cavalry Models 2nd Variation – Key Features

Shoulder Stocks of Cavalry Models 2nd Variations

Cavalry Models 2nd Variation 1st Sub-Variation

Cavalry Models 2nd Variation 2nd Sub-Variation

Cavalry Models – Pricing, Serial Number Ranges

 

 

3.4.1

Common Characteristics of the Cavalry Models

 

In August 2022 the survey data of 124 regular production Cavalry Models as recorded in the Centaure data bank were available to tell their story.

 

Frame

4-screw frame cut for shoulder stock, recoil shields and backstrap notched; in most specimens the 4th or guiding screws extend out from the frame providing a platform for the attachment of the shoulder stock

Finish

„traditional“ blue and case colors (b cch)

Comments

This model owes its being to the U.S. National Rifle Association’s (NRA’s) efforts to amending existing outmoded laws regarding stocks pistols.

 

This Centaure with shoulder stock and 4-screw frame is dubbed Cavalry Model by many collectors and shooters alike. In the U.S.A. some call it Wade Hampton Model after this famous C.S. general who is said to have suggested the fluted cylinder design to Sam Colt.

 

Ein Bild, das Text, Person, alt enthält.

Automatisch generierte Beschreibung

3.4.1_1 Wade Hampton III *March 28, 1818 – † April 11, 1902

 

Centennial Arms Corporation in Lincolnwood, IL., U.S.A. termed the Cavalry First Model Centennial Revolver in one of their ads, possibly because the launch in the U.S. market was 1961, the centennial of the Civil War.

This variant was the third Centaure model produced by Fabriques d’Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.) in Belgium for Centennial Arms Corp. Their production commenced sometime late in 1960, after the introduction of the Regular New Model Army (RNMA) and Civilian Model. The Centennial Arms marketing activities for the Cavalry began in 1961 only, however.

Centaure collectors recognize two basic variations of the Cavalry Model today. Specimens of the 1st variation have 7,5” barrels. They were manufactured between 1960 and 1963 in three sub-variations. Variants of the 2nd variation were fitted with the 8” barrels instead and fabricated in 1971 only. Of the later variation two sub-variations are documented.

 

3.4.1.1

Shoulder Stocks of the Cavalry Models

 

A detachable shoulder stock, often with matching serial numbers, could be had as an accessory with most variants of the Cavalry Models. However, a few such combos are reported with perfectly fitted mismatching stocks.

During April of 2011 noted U.S. gun collector, and FROCS #14, Chain-Fire conducted a test to assess the interchangeability of original F.A.U.L. shoulder stocks manufactured between 1961-1963 and then again in 1971, and a Colt shoulder stock of 1977 making, with various Centaure Cavalry and two Colt revolvers.

It should be remembered that the Cavalry pistols of the early period have backstraps of the 1st version installed, i.e. 2-parts welded together and the buttstrap bent-over, whereas the later production revolvers have the 1-part cast backstrap.

The test results for all Centaures and Colts and shoulder stocks are presented in below spreadsheet.

 

Stock Description

Cavarly

#F472

Cavalry

#F651

Cavalry

#F786

Cavalry

#F802

Cavalry

#F11166

Colt 2nd gen #208342

Colt 1st gen

#4935

MADE IN BELGIUM stock

no S/N came with #F472

fits

fits

fits

fits

no fit

no fit

no fit

MADE IN BELGIUM stock

no S/N came with #786

no fit

poor tight

fit

fits

poor tight fit

no fit

no fit

poor loose fit

MADE IN BELGIUM stock

no S/N came with #F802

no fit

fits

no fit

fits

no fit

no fit

no fit

Stock #F340

came with #F651

no fit

fits

fits

no fit

no fit

no fit

no fit

Stock #F11166

came with #F11166

poor loose

fit

poor loose

fit

poor loose

fit

poor loose fit

fits

poor loose

fit

very poor loose fit

Stock #US2970

came with Colt Commemorative

no fit

no fit

no fit

no fit

no fit

no fit

very poor loose fit

 

Chain-Fire unexpected conclusions: Each stock was hand fitted to the revolver with which it was delivered and sold, no matter if the serial numbers were matching or not!

According to ads of Centennial Arms Corp. from the early 1960s, extra stocks for Cavalry Models and the RNMAs (!) were available. They usually carried no serial number. Some carry just the country-of-origin mark MADE IN BELGIUM. As per Chain-Fire’s findings these stocks would require some fitting when they were to be attached to a 4-screw frame Cavalry pistol. Others found that they would usually work fine with the 3-screw frame RNMAs.

 

D:\#F Cavalry stock not numbered MS USA\1-P1020731.JPG

3.4.1.1_1 Extra shoulder stock for the Cavalry: No prefix F and serial number on top strap of butt plate

 

P1020730-3

3.4.1.1_2 Extra stock for Centaure Cavalry without serial number: Note MADE IN BELGIUM mark on left side of bottom tang

 

In June 2020 Chain-Fire conducted a second test on shoulder stocks for only theCavalries 2nd variation, i.e. 1971 production. The goal was to assess if the switch to the cast backstraps of the matching sets‘ pistols would affect interchangeability of the stocks. Entered in this test were the single revolver #F10705 (Cavalry 2nd variation 1st sub-variation without stock) and combos #F10715 (Cavalry 2nd variation 1st sub-variation), #F11155 and #F11166 (the latter are Cavalry 2nd variation 2nd sub-variations).

Chain-Fire tried to mount each of the three Cavalry 2nd variation shoulder stocks to each of the four Cavalry 2nd variation revolvers. The findings are that each shoulder stock was hand fitted to its matching serial number gun. In all cases, each shoulder stock would only fit its matching serial number gun. This implies the effect of the more standardized cast backstraps in 1971 is of lesser importance. More important are the manual shaping process of the wood of the individual grip to a Cavalry 2nd variation pistol and later the fitting of the respective shoulder stock.

 

3.4.1.2

Cavalry Models 1st Variation – Key Features

 

D:\FAUL Cavalry 1V 1SV #F490 1V\1-DSC_7984.jpg

3.4.1.2_1 Typical specimen of Cavalry 1st variation #F490 from 1962 with shoulder stock attached (picture courtesy Terushi Jimbo, Düsseldorf/Germany)

 

Barrel

7.5″

Logo

rampant centaur

Chambers

large

Arbor

1st version

Hammer spur

2nd version

Prefix F

F in front of visible serial numbers of pistols and shoulder stocks in one line

Comments

This model was often sold with a (matching) shoulder stock. Produced for the U.S. market in a separate block of serial numbers beginning with #F1.

 

When sold as a set, the serial numbers of the revolvers are usually matching the shoulder stock. In serial number range of around #F600 to #F1000 most of the Cavalry pistols 1st variation inspected have the mark MADE IN BELGIUM stamped on the pistol’s butt which is the regular location and again on the left side of its barrel lug, see below picture.

 

D:\#F786 Cavalry 1V 1SV WVT USA\1-Cal.44.jpg

3.4.1.2_2 Left side of barrel lug of Cavalry 1st variation #786: Note second country-of-origin mark MADE IN BELGIUM stamped left side of barrel lug

 

The shoulder stock had its serials with prefix stamped on the top strap of the butt plate and often again on the bottom of the tang. Yoke and butt plate were made of brass. Some were stamped MADE IN BELGIUM on the left side of the brass of the bottom tang.

 

D:\#F786 Cavalry 1V 1SV WVT USA\1-Stock lug.jpg

3.4.1.2_3 MADE IN BELGIUM stamped on left side of bottom tang of shoulder stock of Cavalry 1st variation #786

 

3.4.1.2.1

Cavalry Models 1st Variation 1st Sub-Variation

 

Cylinder

fluted

Barrel markings

„1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“

„1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“   CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CHICAGO U.S.A.

„1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“   CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK

4th pair of screws

extend ca. 6 mm/.236 in from frame

Comments

Produced between 1960 and 1963.

 

This is the Cavalry variant most often encountered out there.

 

D:\#F882 Cavalry 1V 1SV RGB USA\1-F882 - 1960 New Model Army Revolver & Shoulder Stock.JPG

3.4.1.2.1_1 Typical specimen Cavalry 1st variation 1st sub-variation #F882 with matching shoulder stock attached