Chapter 4 – Fiction, Odds and Ends
4.6 Accessories of the Centaure
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4.6 4.6.1 4.6.1.1 4.6.1.2 4.6.2 4.6.3 4.6.4 4.6.4.1 4.6.4.2 4.6.5 4.6.6 4.6.7 4.6.8 4.6.8.1 4.6.8.2 4.6.8.2.1 4.6.8.2.2
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Accessories of the Centaure Display Cases Display Cases – English Fit Display Cases – French Fit Powder Flasks Cap Boxes Bullet Molds Bullet Molds – Steel Bullet Molds – Brass Oil Bottles and Vent Picks Nipple Wrenches Cleaning Kit Original Cartons and Leaflets Cartons from Germany Cartons from the U.S.A. U.S. Handling Instructions U.S. Warranty Slip
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4.6.1 |
Display Cases |
Like Colt Firearms in Hartford, the maker of our favourite Belgian percussion revolver, Fabriques d’Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.), (particularly their main U.S. dealer Centennial Arms Corporation of Lincolnwood; but, other dealers and distributors in Europe and New Zealand as well) offered wooden display cases for the Centaures. Different grades seem to have been available including elaborate presentation cases like for two pistols or for Cavalry Models with shoulder stocks.
According to our survey data this cased option could be had for three of the five models of the New Model Army (NMA) except for the Marshal and the special-order Pocket Army. Although cased Marshals and Pocket Armies are recorded, their cases were originally for the 8” barreled brothers.
Original F.A.U.L. accessories (namely powder flasks, cap boxes, bullet moulds or nipple wrenches) could be had during the 1960s and into the 1970s. Today the cases with original accessories are rare and pricey finds. If you happen to spot one for sale today, there are often Italian accessories added.
Varying colors of the interior of the cases was noted including different shades of blue, green and red. The cases you find in the next chapters are taken from the picture collection of the data bank of the Centaure & FROCS website https://wp.1960nma.org/. Cases were filled with both plain and engraved Centaures.
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4.6.1.1 |
Display Cases – English Fit |
Most cases recorded were made in English fit, many less in French fit. English fit implies partitions. The listing of the sets below is by model and serial number, starting with Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs).
4.6.1.1_1 Cased RNMA 3rd variation #1807 with Italian accessories spotted in the U.S.A.
4.6.1.1_2 Cased and custom engraved RNMA 2nd variation #2211 with F.A.U.L. made mould, original cap box, Italian flask discovered in the U.S.A.
4.6.1.1_3 Custom cased RNMA 1st variation #6017 with Italian accessories found in Finland
4.6.1.1_4 Cased and custom engraved RNMA 5th variation #7425 with Italian flask, mould and cap box of unknown origin spotted in France
4.6.1.1_5 Cased RNMA 1st variation #8645 with Italian accessories unearthed in Germany
4.6.1.1_6 Custom cased RNMA 3rd variation #9960 with Italian accessories from in the U.S.A.
4.6.1.1_7 Cased and custom engraved RNMA 5th variation #14164 with original accessories discovered in Germany
4.6.1.1_8 Custom cased Civilian 1st variation #C320 with Italian accessories from the U.S.A.
4.6.1.1_9 Cased Civilian 2nd variation #C782 with Italian accessories found in the U.S.A.
4.6.1.1_10 Rare custom cased Cavalry set 1st variation #F220 with accessories of unknown origin discovered in the U.S.A.
4.6.1.1_11 Cased Cavalry 1st variation #F324, Italian flask reported from the U.S.A.
4.6.1.1_12 Cased and custom engraved Cavalry 1st variation #F946, F.A.U.L. made mould, possibly original cap box, Italian flask from the U.S.A.
4.6.1.1_13 Cased Cavalry 2nd variation #11103, 2nd gen. Colt flask attached found in Germany
4.6.1.1_14 Cased Marshal 1st variation #13323 with Italian flask from Germany; case was originally made for an 8” barrel NMA
4.6.1.1_15 Cased Pocket Army 2nd variation #6 with F.A.U.L. made mould and Italian flask; case was originally made for 8” barrel NMA
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4.6.1.2 |
Display Cases – French Fit |
Display cases in French fit means contoured.
4.6.1.2_1 German dealer Bärbel Harlos sold this type of wooden cases to display Centaures, as used for RNMA #10203 on next picture
4.6.1.2_2 Custom engraved RNMA 5th variation #10203 with F.A.U.L. flask, cap box and nipple wrench, Italian made bullet mould liberated in Germany
4.6.1.2_3 Cased RNMA factory engraved in De Luxe-style #11834 with Italian flask found in Germany
4.6.1.2_4 Double cased set of Marshal 1st variation #12449 and RNMA 6th variation #12530, F.A.U.L. wrench, Italian made mould discovered in Germany
4.6.1.2_5 Custom cased RNMA 5th variation #13361 displayed on lid found in the U.S.A.
4.6.1.2_6 RNMA 5th variation #13361 custom case opened from the U.S.A.
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4.6.2 |
Powder Flasks |
At the request of demanding U.S. customers Fabriques d‘Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.) added high quality powder flasks made of copper to their assortment of Centaure revolvers. These flasks were fabricated for F.A.U.L. by famous Dixon & Sons in Great Britain.
4.6.2_1 Front side of the Dixon made .44 cal. powder flask made for F.A.U.L.: Note COLTS PATENT mark in two lines under the four guns like on 19th century flasks
4.6.2_2 Back side of Dixon powder flask: Note two line makers‘ stamp DIXON & SONS and MADE IN ENGLAND close to upper brass ring
4.6.2_3 Close-up of front side of Dixon powder flask made for F.A.U.L.
4.6.2_4 Close-up of faint two-line makers‘ stamp
4.6.2_5 Close-up of Dixon powder flask: Note makers‘ mark and numbering of spout
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4.6.3 |
Cap Boxes |
Like the powder flasks also the cap boxes were supplied to Fabriques d‘Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.) by Dixon in Great Britain. Most were made of polished pewter. They were found with hallmarks and serial numbered in custom display cases in Germany. Their bottoms are marked in three (3) lines
JAMES DIXON & SONS
SHEFFIELD
MADE IN ENGLAND
Options were round or square with plain or sculpted lids. Allegedly they could be had in sterling silver, too.
4.6.3_2 Bottom view of cap boxes: Note makers‘ mark, serial number, hall marks and P could mean pewter
4.6.3_3 Cap boxes open, right one filled with caps
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4.6.4 |
Bullet Molds |
The F.A.U.L. made bullet moulds had two (2) cavities for a round and a conical ball, respectively. Two versions were offered, one of blued steel and a brass one. Most were marked MADE IN BELGIUM on the outside. Contrary to newly made Italian moulds the Belgian ones feature a conical ball with grease groove. The steel version has the longer handles. Brass and steel molds compared side by side below:
4.6.4_1 Bullet moulds of F.A.U.L. for Centaures (top down): Brass vs. steel; note Centennial Arms, Chicago address (left) and country-of-origin stamp (right)
4.6.4_2 Bullet moulds of F.A.U.L. for Centaures (top down): Brass vs. steel
During the early 1960s Centennial Arms Corp. advertised these steel bullet moulds at U.S. $ 9.95 whereas your German dealer during the early 1970s would let you have then at DEM 19.00.
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4.6.4.1 |
Bullet Molds – Steel |
Until 2022 the steel made versions have surfaced in the U.S.A. only. Different views pictured below.
4.6.4.1_1 Centennial Arms Corp. address and country of origin mark stamped on outsides
4.6.4.1_2 Note grease groove of conical ball
4.6.4.1_3 Country-of-origin mark MADE IN BELGIUM stamped on outside
4.6.4.1_4 Top view of steel made bullet mould
4.6.4.1_5 Centennial Arms Corp. address stamped on the outside
4.6.4.1_6 Bottom view of steel made mould
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4.6.4.2 |
Bullet Molds – Brass |
This brass version has been found both in Europe and the U.S.A.
4.6.4.2_1 Centennial Arms Corp. address and country-of-origin mark stamped on outsides
4.6.4.2_2 Note grease groove of conical ball
4.6.4.2_3 Country-of-origin mark stamped on outside