Chapter 3 – Models & Variations of the Centaure
3.4 Third, Cavalry or Wade Hampton Model
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3.4 3.4.1 3.4.1.1. 3.4.1.2 3.4.1.2.1 3.4.1.2.1.1
3.4.1.2.3 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
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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
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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.
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.
3.4.1.1_1 Extra shoulder stock for the Cavalry: No prefix F and serial number on top strap of butt plate
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 |
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.
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.
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.
3.4.1.2.1_1 Typical specimen Cavalry 1st variation 1st sub-variation #F882 with matching shoulder stock attached