Chapter 5 – Centaure Conversions the Next Level of the Evolution?

5.5 The Making of the Infamous Centaure „Mystery“ Army Conversion

 

5.5   5.5.1 5.5.2 5.5.2.1 5.5.2.2 5.5.3   5.5.4

The Making of the Infamous Centaure „Mystery“ Army Conversion What is a Colt „Mystery“ Army Conversion? The Making of the Nedbal Centaure „Mystery“ Conversion Progress Report The PITA 1st Annual Meeting of the FROCS in 2010 and Other Little Details More Centaure „Mystery“ Conversions?

 

5.5.1

What is a Colt „Mystery“ Army Conversion

 

Who needs a newly made Colt 1860 conversion cross fitted with an army barrel with cool looking barrel lug of 1861 Navy conversion contour, on which a Richards-Mason type ejector housing is mounted with dimensions differing significantly from the typical RM Armies assembled in Hartford during the 1870s, and a RM cylinder and frame assembly with a narrow saddle-type conversion ring fitted for good measure?

 

5.5.1_1 Colt 1860 Army “Mystery“ Conversion as discovered in R. Bruce McDowell’s conversion bible, typical Mexican style engraving, nickel plating, sculpted ivory grip

 

Even though some of the collectors call these „Mysteries“ Colt 1861 Richards-Navy conversions on steroids, every red-blooded cowboy or cowgirl should have one or better still a pair. Because less than a dozen only from yesteryear are known, probably made south of the border in Mexico around 1875. At least that is the considered opinion of the late R. Bruce McDowell in his famous conversion bible A STUDY OF COLT CONVERSIONS AND OTHER PERCUSSION REVOLVERS. Original “Mysteries” were made for the venerable .44 Colt center fire cartridge!

 

5.5.2

The Making of the Nedbal Centaure „Mystery“ Conversion

 

When Karl Nedbal phoned on December 31, 2008 with an update on the Centaure Richards-Mason we agreed that a „Mystery“ was going to be the next conversion project. Designated candidate for this somewhat exotic conversion was to be my 1971 production Regular New Model Army (RNMA) 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #11691. The project was formally kicked-off on April 30, 2009, the day the Richards-Mason came home.

 

5.5.2_1 Project gun for the „Mystery“ Conversion: Centaure RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #11691

 

Centaure	Project Outline
Project revolver	RNMA 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #11691
Barrel	8″, barrel lug with Colt 1861 Navy conversion contour
Barrel marking	CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK „1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“
Caliber	.44 Colt inside lubed (liner, .429″ rifling groove diameter)
Ejector housing	Richards-Mason type
Frame	altered to Civilian type round frame
Wedge	Centaure
Conversion ring	gated, Richards III type
Conversion cylinder	newly lathed conversion type, Centaure proprietary naval scene custom engraved
Hammer	altered C&B type from Centaure
Gate spring	internal
Grip frame	Centaure brass triggerguard, backstrap with with notch
Finish	traditional (rust blued, case color hardened)

 

5.5.2.1

Progess Report

 

It was agreed that Karl would not dash ahead at his usual pace of three months for the completion of a Centaure conversion but take his time with the „Mystery“ project. So, he researched what little he could find to read about the “Mysteries”. In fall of 2009 he started working metal. Here is what we have on November 9, 2009, see pictures below. Nedbal had

# Reshaped the 1960 Army’s percussion barrel lug like one of a Colt 1861 Navy Richards-Mason conversion,

 

5.5.2.1_1 Next of kin: 2nd gen. Colt 1861 Navy Richards-Mason Conversion #40660 .38 Long Colt cal., 6″ barrel

 

# Plugged the slot for the loading lever in the barrel lug,

# Installed the Richards-Mason type ejector housing.

 

5.5.2.1_2 Reshaping Centaure barrel lug to Colt 1861 Navy RM conversion contour, ejector housing installed

 

# The S-line on both sides of the barrel lug is now more pronounced in true 1860 Colt-fashion. This operation did not harm the Liège proof house stamps.

# Karl removed the Centaure step where frame and barrel lug meet.

# For the “Mystery” Nedbal left the Belgian factory arbor in place but

# Opened-up wide the right side of the recoil shield. This way room was made for the internal spring-loaded gate of general RM Navy 1861 outline, just a mite larger.

 

5.5.2.1_3 Right side view of Colt 1861 Navy RM conversion #40660

 

# For a period-correct installation of the Richards III type conversion ring of saddle design master Nedbal will have to attach it to the recoil shield by a screw. This required working on the two notches for the shoulder stock and welding them shut. He then contoured and finished that area to shape. This way the frame has no longer has the typical RNMA contour with two notches.

# This little operation transformed the frame of #11691 it into a round Civilian contoured frame. Neat little job, isn’t it?

 

5.5.2.1_4 Nedbal magic: Transforms RNMA frame into round Civilian-type frame for the „Mystery „project

 

# Regarding the finish of the Centaure „Mystery“ conversion we have a change of the original plan. Most of the „Mysteries“ documented were nickel plated. But after my shooting experience with the Centaure Richards-Mason it is going to be Nedbal’s traditional rust blue. He will make every effort to maintain as much as possible of the pretty factory case colors of the frame.

# November 14, 2009: The loading gate is shaped and installed.

 

5.5.2.1_5 New conversion cylinder lathed, ratchets cut

 

# December 3, 2009 and the beat goes on: Nedbal is approaching completion of the “Mystery” conversion. By now the conversion cylinder is already milled to specs. But Nedbal had to remove a small layer of steel from the forward area of the frame. For reasons unknown Fabriques d’Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.) had lathed the original C&B cylinder of #11691 with a diameter that is ca. 1 mm less than what is the norm (!) and had adjusted the position of the arbor in the recoil shield accordingly. In other words, the overall height of the barrel lug is smaller than those of other Centaures.

 

5.5.2.1_6 Conversion cylinder installed, slot for ejector housing cut into right side of barrel

 

5.5.2.2

The PITA

 

# On Dec. 7, 2009 new news arrived from the “Mystery” front: The cylinder is completely done now but the project with project gun #11691 is turning into a glorious PITA. The technician back then at Fabriques d’Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L.) had cut the slot for the hand in the recoil shield too far off center compared to original Colts and other Centaures as well. Therefore, it will engage only half of a ratchet tooth. But the teeth of the conversion cylinder have only half the width of what is needed for reliable engagement, due to the recesses for the cartridge rims in the breech side. To correct this Nedbal opened-up the slot towards the center for proper functioning and made a new, wider hand (same as for an original). This is one of the challenges the master needs from time to time to maintain his sharpness I reckon.

# December 15, 2009: Notches are cut into the cylinder. For the first time the „Mystery“ conversion is test-fired. The pistol will be transferred to the Vienna Proof house now for proof testing before the finishing tasks could be completed.

# January 30, 2010: The deed is almost done. The “Mystery” conversion passed the Viennese proof testing procedure and Nedbal’s contract engraver has applied the proprietary Centaure naval engagement scene with the legend NEW MODEL 44 between the scene’s ends.

 

5.5.2.2_1 Nedbal Centaure “Mystery” conversion #11691 barrel marking CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” maintained

 

She is now ready for the master’s finishing touch: Installation of the .429 inch diameter liner for my .44 Colt cal. inside lubricated bullets, adjustment of the sights to hit POA and finally the rust bluing of the barrel assembly, new cylinder and other formerly cyanide blued parts.

 

5.5.3

The 1st Annual Meeting of the FROCS in 2010 and Other Little Details

 

5.5.3_1 Nedbal Centaure “Mystery” Conversion #11691 (picture courtesy Terushi Jumbo, Düsseldorf/Germany)

 

Due to some business traveling I could not put my hands on her before July 16, 2010. Therefore, the Centaure “Mystery” conversion was presented to the public on occasion of the 1st Annual Meeting of the FROCS to celebrate 50 years of the Centaure “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” in Hofheim, Germany, July 17/18, 2010.

 

5.5.3_2 Shield presented to hosting shooting club 1938 e.V. Hofheim on occasion of this 1st Annual Meeting of the FROCS on July 17/18, 2010

 

5.5.3_3 Close-up right-side view of frame/cylinder assembly of #11691: Note enlarged and flared out section of conversion ring at base straddling frame

 

5.5.3_4 Close-up left side view of frame/cylinder assembly of #11691: Note narrow conversion ring resting like saddle on frame; cylinder custom engraved with Centaure proprietary naval scene; 44 CAL stamp on shoulder of triggerguard

 

5.5.3_5 Close-up/breech view of #11691: Note guiding hole in conversion ring for firing pin, long lip of loading gate

 

Together with the Regular New Model Army (RNMA) factory engraved in Presentation-style and the FROCS Special the “Mystery” conversion was one of the highlights of the 1st ever Centaure exhibition in Germany on Sunday, July 18, 2010. She surely got proper attention of the initiates.

 

5.5.3_6 Conversion cylinder breech side view: last 3 digits of serial number, Viennese proof, caliber stamp

 

B5.5.3_7 ottom view of barrel: Note plugged loading lever slot, proof marks, caliber stamp

 

Our visiting FROCS and Centaure aficionados of the German C.A.S. fraction but particularly ruling European champion of the classic cowboy class by the alias Lederstrumpf aka Socks aka FROCS #30 liked her a lot after firing a couple of rounds on the 25 m indoor pistol range of the club. Functioning of the „Mystery“ was flawless. Experienced C.A.S. and bulls eye shooters had no issues with the narrow rear sight, but some target shooters used to Remington New Model 1863 Armies or 1865 Rogers & Spencers had.

 

 

5.5.3_8 Yours truly with new toy Centaure RNMA „Mystery“ conversion #11691 on indoor range during 1st Annual Meeting of the FROCS in Hofheim

 

This Centaury “Mystery” is a very special and a one-of-a-kind conversion pistol. To the best of my knowledge none of the U.S. or European conversion artists ever made one! That is until Karl Nedbal got bitten by the vicious Centaure Bacillus Conversicus (BC)!

 

5.5.3_9 „Clinical“ left side view of Nedbal Centaure ”Mystery“ Conversion #11691

 

Does this recontoured forward portion of the “Mystery’s” barrel lug look to you similar to the bow of a racing yacht? Now I understand why the U.S. Navy preferred the Richards-Mason conversions of the Colt 1861 Navy over the 1860 Army Richards, ha!

 

5.5.3_10 Mexican connection? Right side view of Nedbal Centaure ”Mystery“ Conversion #11691 displayed on Mexican State flag

 

5.5.4

More Centaure „Mystery“ Army Conversion?

 

To this date in August 2022 at least three (3) additional Centaure „Mystery“ are owned now by members of the FROCS community. In fall of 2019 Master Nedbal completed the alteration of Regular New Model Army (RNMA) 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #11948 into another .44 Colt cal. „Mystery“.

 

5.5.4_1 Centaure „Mystery“ #11948 was one of the hightlights of the 2019 exhibition at Kassel Gun Show on occasion of the 50th Anniversary festivities of Verband für Waffentechnik und -geschichte (VDW)

 

On occasion of the 11th Meeting of the FROCS in Rüthen Karl Nedbal delivered a very special pair of RNMAs 1st variation 3rd sub-variation converted to “Mysterys”. In addition to the regular alterations found on a “Mystery” these two had their barrels cut to 6” plus historical drift adjustable rear sights were dovetailed on the breech end of the barrel lug. Because this pair shall be used as competition pistols in western matches. These three “Mysterys” are now in the herd of German reenactor, competition shooter and collector FROCS #140 aka Cheyenne Wolf.

 

5.5.3_2 Pair of special “Mystery” Conversions (top down) #6789 & #8430 in .44 Colt cal.: Cut barrels and low-profile rear sights on barrel lug facilitate the draw and make for faster target acquisition

 

Updated February 13, 2024

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