Chapter 4 – Fiction, Odds and Ends

4.5 Exotic New Model Armies (NMAs)

 

4.5 4.5.1 4.5.1.1 4.5.1.2 4.5.1.3 4.5.1.4 4.5.1.5 4.5.1.6 4.5.1.7 4.5.2 4.5.2.1 4.5.3 4.5.3.1 4.5.3.2 4.5.4

Exotic New Model Armies (NMAs) Customized Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) Cut-Away Model „Golden“ Centaure RNMA with Trigger Stop Centaure Revolving Carbines First Marshal? RNMA with Modern Target Sights Belgian Frankenstein Gun Customized Civilian Models Civilian Turned Avenging Angel Customized Marshal Models Cavalry Combo in Disguise Marshal with Tiffany Grip Significance

 

In this chapter we will be looking at several unusual, very different, one of a kind but also somewhat strange Centaures. These variants were brought to our attention from pards and pardettes in North American and Europe since we started the research program in 2007. Some of the specimens were found at internet auctions or presented at collectors‘ or Western forums. One thing is for sure, the modifications you are going to see done to our favorite Belgian C&B pistols are all custom alterations. They share one important characteristic: The maker or gunsmith who did the initial modification is unknown. He or she cannot be traced back to one of F.A.U.L.’s importers or key dealers.

The modifications might have been an attempt to replicate a historical pattern, they were executed to serve a special purpose, and some are just cute embellishments performed in a most unusual way.

 

4.5.1

Customized Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs)

 

We start the show by sharing impressions and information on seven (7) customized Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) spanning the curve from highly unusual to almost obscure or from cut-away to Frankenstein.

 

4.5.1.1

Cut-Away Model

 

Even today gun makers provide cut-aways of regular production guns to the military or police for basic pistol training (, -omit) and also as demonstration pieces for exhibitions or their dealers to present function and interaction of internal parts. You probably agree we can exclude military or police here as the target group for this Centaure cut-away, leaving the exhibition or dealer option.

This Regular New Model Army (RNMA) was sold around 2o1o years at German auction house Hermann Historica. The serial number was not disclosed, nor could we do a physical inspection back then. No information is available if this Centaure was possibly proof tested before her transformation into a cut-away.

 

4.5.1.1_1 RNMA cut-away 1st variation 2nd sub-variation

 

It is not known who executed this cut-away job. It could have been a technician at F.A.U.L. but some outside gunsmith just as well. According to visible features like the 4th version hammer spur and the high-profile front sight this is RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation is from the early 1970s.

 

4.5.1.2

„Golden“ Centaure

 

Who applied the gold leaf to this Regular New Model Army (RNMA) from 1965? A pard from Florida offered RNMA 3rd variation 2nd sub-variation #4331 in early January of 2013 at GunBroker auction house in the U.S.A. Here is what the seller wrote: “This one I have is 99 % gorgeous blue and case colors. cylinder unturned and of course never fired, looks like the wedge has never been removed. This must have been a higher-grade purchase with the gold leaf”

As could be expected she drew a lot of attention at GunBroker. Now she is a happy safe queen in a country on the Eastern banks of the big pond.

 

4.5.1.2_1 RNMA #4331 came with anodized aluminium centennial coin

 

4.5.1.2_2 Close-up #1 of centennial coin

 

4.5.1.2_3 Close-up #2 of centennial coin

 

Did you ever see gold washed Centaures in a similar fashion? The seller advised the previous owner had told him he really had three such pistols. Where are the other two?

 

4.5.1.2_4 RNMA #4331 gold leaf applied to the cylinder scene, proof marks on cylinder and barrel marking

 

No proof can be presented that the gold leaf was applied at or on behalf of Centennial Arms Corp. of Lincolnwood, IL during the middle of the 1960s, nor do we know if it was done at the Centennial Arms shop. Who added this gold anodized aluminium centennial coin that came with #4331? Was this to further enhance the attractiveness of the pistol in 1965 towards the end of the Civil War centennial festivities, or to market her as a CW commemorative?

 

4.5.1.3

RNMA with Trigger Stop

 

Below RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #10522 from 1970 has been discovered in the U.S.A. with a trigger stop! The installation may have been executed by a gunsmith.

 

4.5.1.3_1 RNMA #10522 with custom fitted trigger stop

 

4.5.1.4

Centaure Revolving Carbines

 

Is this Centaure Revolving Carbine a prototype from F.A.U.L., the work of a gunsmith or an ambitious tinkerer? I “found” this Regular New Model Army (RNMA) 1st variation 3rd sub-variation #7057 project gun early in 2009 during one of my internet searches. She was offered by a French auction house with some descriptive text but without pictures. In October 2010 I “rediscovered” her at another French auction. This time the below grainy low-resolution picture was attached. It showed this cute little revolving carbine with a shoulder stock permanently attached to the frame.

 

4.5.1.4_1 RNMA # 7057 transformed into a revolving carbine

 

The hooked trigger-guard might be made of steel. When shooting revolving carbines or rifles the recommended modus operandi is to keep both hands behind the cylinder. With that purpose in mind that hook would be a great little helper.

To answer the initial question without a physical it is my considered opinion that this French revolving Centaure carbine #7057 is no prototype of the Belgian factory but some aftermarket work like our German FROCS #76 Gunfire’s 2013 winter project gun.

 

4.5.1.4_2 Blank firing HS121 with shoulder stock

 

Gunfire was out there for some fun project when he spotted this blank firing HS121 in an internet auction. She had a shoulder stock permanently attached instead of the regular pistol grip. The design of the shoulder stock and the hooked triggerguard indicate it might have been originally fixed to one of the Uberti revolving pistol carbines.

 

4.5.1.4_3 RNMA #12106 Centaure turned revolving pistol carbine

 

Gunfire’s talents to work with wood and metal are well-known from previous repair and restoration jobs. After chemical removal of the varnish of the shoulder stock, he sanded it nicely and applied an oil finish. Then the shoulder stock of the HS121 was mated to his RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #12106 from 1972 once her factory backstrap, grip and triggerguard were removed. And voila: Gunfire ended up with this handy little pistol carbine!

 

4.5.1.4_4 Metal to metal fit of F.A.U.L./HS combo looks acceptable, no additional fitting needed

 

The first time we stumbled over RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #10422 was at the Kassel gunshow on Nov. 29, 2019. Back then she featured a badly custom fitted Uberti made bronze Tiffany stype grip of 1851 Navy size. The dealer presented her with the original Bärbel Harlos sales slip dated June 16, 1971.

 

4.5.1.4_5 RNMA #10422 custom fitted with Uberti made Tiffany grip

 

Noteworthy at that time were the markings on the barrel lug, namely Kal. 44 – Kal. Instead of the regular CAL, and 44 in italics – left of the wedge and the Perron right of the wedge (see picture below). Who applied these irregular proof marks?

 

4.5.1.4_6 Unusual barrel markings of #10422 namely Kal. 44

 

A couple of months ago a FROCS from northern Germany felt pity for this ugly combination and dutifully liberated her. First, he removed the ill fitted Tiffany grip in exchange for a Uberti Colt 1873 SAA carbine butt stock he happened to have in his junk box. Although this new combination is not historically correct but sure looks better, wouldn’t you agree?

 

4.5.1.4_7 RNMA #10422 in July 2021: Another Centaure turned revolving pistol carbine

 

4.5.1.5

First Marshal?

 

U.S. based icollector.com had this Regular New Model Army (RNMA) 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #3738 from 1964 on auction in January 2018. The pistol features the usual markings and stamps but presents herself highly modified and maltreated. The factory finish had been removed and the barrel cut to ca. 5,5″. Someone had the loading lever poorly adjusted to length and a new front sight installed.

 

4.5.1.5_1 RNMA #3738 poor sod of a carry gun

 

4.5.1.6

RNMA with Modern Target Sights

 

Centaures were constructed to be highly accurate percussion revolvers. That we know for years. In early 2017 this modified 1966 production Regular New Model Army (RNMA) 3rd variation 3rd sub-variation #5656 was discovered at a U.S. auction house. To further improve the accuracy potential of his piece the shooter had modern adjustable target sights fitted to the barrel.

 

4.5.1.6_1 Easy target acquisition with these modern adjustable sights of RNMA #5656

 

4.5.1.6_2 Barrel assembly of RNMA #5656: Pure function

 

4.5.1.7

Belgian Frankenstein Gun

 

A French FROCS discovered and dutifully liberated this Frankenstein RNMA 2nd variation 1st sub-variation without visible serial numbers in January 2019. According to a previous owner she was assembled from discarded or rejected parts by someone with access to the dustbin at the production floor of Fabriques d‘Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.).

There are no visible factory stamps, markings or proof marks on this Centaure. The frame is blued (!) instead of the usual case colors whereas loading press and hammer are „in the white“. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Centaure proprietary naval engagement scene, the engraving is gold inlaid.

 

4.5.1.7_1 Frankenstein Centaure assembled from parts with features of RNMA 2nd variation 1st sub-variation

 

The barrel lug has the typical Centaure S-curve, the low-profile front sight visible file marks. Muzzle and loading lever catch were not properly finished.

After disassembly, 0 is found stamped under barrel and on the rear side of the frame, 739 embossed in the wood in typical F.A.U.L. manner. No serial numbers were found under barrel lug, on hammer, backstrap or breech side of cylinder, ditto no safety pins. The barrel features the typical shallow rifling profile with seven grooves as known from most Centaures in the data bank.

 

4.5.1.7_2 Frankenstein arbor does not look like 1st version Centaure below: Note long transitional step and 19 round grooves

 

4.5.1.7_3 Centaure 1st version arbor: Note short transitional step and 19 flat threats

 

4.5.1.7_4 Badly fitted wood to silver plated 1st version backstrap of Frankenstein gun

 

In a nutshell: Fitting of parts and surface finishing of this revolver is not of the fine quality one would expect to find in a Centaure.

 

4.5.2

Customized Civilian Models

 

Are you ready for another unique transformation? We leave the Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) alone and take a close look at a Civilian altered into a handy period belly gun. Almost period is more correct. Back in the days stag made grip panels were seldom seen, they became popular some 30 years later.

 

4.5.2.1

Civilian Turned Avenging Angel

 

One such pistol is Civilian #599. In 1961 she started life as a regular production Civilian 2nd variation Civilian Model #599 at F.A.U.L. before being shipped over the Atlantic to Centennial Arms Corp., Lincolnwood, IL to please some collector, re-enactor, shooter or otherwise Centaure enthusiast in the U.S.A.

 

4.5.2.1_1 Civilian Model #599 2nd variation turned big bore belly gun

 

In December 2011 this Civilian was discovered offered for sale at U.S. internet auction house Gunbroker. Her features were by now completely different from the pistol that left Belgium 50 years earlier.

 

4.5.2.1_2 Civilian Model #599 period replication of Avenging Angel

 

This work of an unknown U.S. gunsmith or tinkerer was obviously carried out before 2011. He or she might have been inspired by the Avenging Angel or Natchez Special type pocket revolvers of the 19th century. Below are a few close-ups for your entertainment.

 

4.5.2.1_3 Barrel cut to ca. 2,5″, re-contoured barrel lug, new low profile front sight

 

4.5.2.1_4 Top of factory barrel marking „1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“ maintained

 

4.5.2.1_5 Serial numbers maintained on barrel lug and frame, newly fitted triggerguard is not stamped, unplugged slot of barrel lug

 

4.5.2.1_6 Original Army size silver plated grip frame replaced by Navy size all brass grip frame, 2-piece stag grip panels fitted

 

The person who did this job worked very careful. None of the factory marks and marking and proof marks are affected by the transformation into the Avenging Angel.

 

4.5.3

Customized Marshal Models

 

Two Centaures in Marshal configuration from France and Germany qualified for an entry in this chapter, enjoy the stories below.

 

4.5.3.1

Cavalry Combo in Disguise

 

First rumors of a Cavalry 2nd variation in stainless look finish with matching shoulder stock allegedly discovered in France were received as early as during the summer of 2010. As for a serial number, #12002 was (spread -omit) reported. More information was provided early in 2015 in a phone conversation by a new owner. Finally in January 2016 I could see the combo for the first time and an in-depth physical inspection of most parts was possible.

 

4.5.3.1_1 Combo with 5,5″ barrel connected to 4-screw frame, shoulder stock attached

 

This is what was presented to me in January 2016, what I disassembled, reassembled and photographed eventually: A

# Centaure Marshal with 4-screw frame and all matching numbers #12002 or digits thereof, without importer mark on the butt or elsewhere on the gun,

# Matching shoulder stock and

# Matching extra barrel of 8″ length with separate wedge.

As for finish the high gloss polish/“in the white“ or stainless look was confirmed, too.

Disassembly and close inspection revealed surprising facts:

1. What looked like a Marshal was a bona fide Marshal 1st variation 2nd sub-variation with the typical factory marks and marking and proof marks of the period in correct fonts.
   1. The serial number under the barrel lug has no prefix F!
   2. A pair of 4th screws was custom fitted to the frame by some previous owner. They extended ca. 2 millimeters from the frame, i.e. too long for a Marshal 2nd variation 1st sub-variation but too short compared to cavalry pairs of 4th screws.
   3. The only mark of the shoulder stock is #12002 – no prefix F again – stamped under the bottom tang in a font different from the font used on the Marshal. Steel parts are „in the white“. Sorry, I did not remove the buttplate to verify the stock was F.A.U.L. made. Because at that time I did not yet know what to look for (see chapter 3.4.2.1.1 for details).
2. The 8″ extra barrel had no top of the barrel marking. CAL. .44 stamped on the left side of the barrel lug but not the usual perron. Under the barrel lug #12002 was stamped without prefix F in a font different from the one used on the Marshal.
   1. The shallow 7 groove rifling of this extra barrel led us to assume it left F.A.U.L. as a semi-finished barrel without finalizing of the outer contouring for reasons unknown. Possibly another part from the dustbin at the production floor? Lack of final finishing including the S-curve contouring, polishing and lack of top barrel marking do not correspond to F.A.U.L. standards.
   2. The brass made rear sight attached to the breech end of this extra barrel top is not factory but would be a customized historical configuration.
   3. Connecting this extra barrel to the frame using its wedge is almost impossible.

 

4.5.3.1_2 Close-up with 8″ extra barrel: Note 4th screw head is in the white, each barrel with its own wedge

 

4.5.3.1_3 4-screw frame connected with 5,5″ extra barrel works fine: Note visible serial number #12002 without prefix F, 4th screw too short for regular Cavalry length

 

Conclusion: What we have here is a regular Marshal 1st variation with a pair of 4th screws added transforming her into a Marshal 2nd variation plus an extra semi-finished (?) barrel and a shoulder stock the origin of which was not clarified.

 

4.5.3.1_4 8″ barrel can be pushed on arbor of the Marshal frame, wedge cannot be inserted without applying (overly -omit) excessive force

 

4.5.3.1_5 8″ barrel: Note contour of S-curve of barrel lug is not right, fonts of CAL. .44 not in proper style, custom rear sight sitting on breech end

 

4.5.3.1_6 #12002 stamped on yoke of shoulder stock without prefix F: Note screw without bluing

 

Masterminding and putting this combo together must be the job of some enthusiastic tinkerer. He or she is to be commended for this handsome and unique looking toy.

 

4.5.3.2

Marshal with Tiffany Grip

 

This next Centaure is pretty Marshal De Luxe factory engraved #12677 from 1972 with custom fitted and silver-plated Tiffany-style grips. She was discovered at a German internet auction in July 2019. I cannot tell by the picture if the triggerguard was custom silver plated, too.

 

4.5.3.2._1 Marshal #12677 factory engraved in De Luxe style with Tiffany style silver plated grip further embellished

 

To the best of my knowledge these newly made Tiffany grips were and still are available through the Uberti dealer network. The ones I could inspect were all two-piece grips made of bronze and in Navy size. It is the grip with integrated backstrap and screw-on butt plate. For the installation of such a grip the original backstrap of the Centaure would have to be replaced by this Tiffany grip, the triggerguard needed to be shortened some for proper fit.

 

4.5.8

Significance

 

Respectfully and in my humble opinion, any significance of the New Model Armies (NMAs) presented here is in the eye of the beholder. If more background information were available about their making, purpose or the owners their stories might have even greater appeal. Like if a direct involvement of F.A.U.L. or one of the Centaure distributors or dealers could be established, or the smith who did the work could be identified.

 

 

Updated January 12, 2024

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