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

5.7 A Bucket Full of Centaure Long Cylinder  Conversions

 

5.7   5.7.1   5.7.2 5.7.3     5.7.4   5.7.4.1 5.7.4.2 5.7.4.3 5.7.4.3.1 5.7.4.3.2 5.7.4.3.3 5.7.5   5.7.5.1 5.7.6 5,7.6,1 5.7.6.2   5.7.6.3   5,7.6.4

A Bucket Full of Centaure Long Cylinder Conversions What is a Long Cylinder Conversion (LCC)? Next of Kin – Colt Open Top 1871/72 Introducing Klaus Mumme – Master Gunsmith, Cowboy Action Shooter and Conversion Artist The Making of the Mumme Centaure Long Cylinder Conversions Proof Testing and the BATF The Day of Truth Range Report #1 Range Report #2 Growing Pains Ready for Action – at Last Winter 2011/12 – Update from Downrange Excerpts of the Testers‘ Report The Herd Keeps on Growing Centaure RNMA #12270 Centaure RNMAs #5590 and #11681 – # 5,5″ Barrels Centaure RNMAs #7956 and #7957 – 6″ Barrels Centaure RNMAs #12867 and #13859 – 4″ Barrels

 

5.7.1

What is a Long Cylinder Conversion (LCC)?

 

Bob Millington’s (www.armsportllc.com) 3rd generation Colt 1860 Army Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs) introduced by Dennis Adler in his book COLT SINGLE ACTION FROM PATERSONS TO PEACEMAKERS should have attracted more attention. Because this rustic as well as economical alterations of mostly Colt 1860 Armies to breechloading revolvers for the poor cowpokes back then looked like another interesting proposition for a conversion project.

The assessment of the late Bruce McDowell that originals were probably made south of the Border after the Civil War, that they could be had with barrels shorter than 8” and with drift-adjustable rear sights at the breech end of the barrel added to their desirability. This triggered the idea of having a pair of 5,5″ barreled Centaure Marshals converted into LCCs. McDowell further explained these Colt Army Long Cylinder Conversions of yesteryear were assembled from obsolete or rejected percussion parts but were no conversions. Because their cylinders were in fact cartridge cylinders for straight rounds. They were newly lathed and/or converted from old percussion cylinders by turning the rebated segment down to the ratchet stem, adding a ring to build up the area from which the metal was removed, and reboring the chambers through the entire assembly.

 

5.7.1_1 Left side close-up original Colt 1860 Army Long Cylinder Conversion: Note 4-screw Cavalry frame

 

To accommodate these new straight cylinders the water tables of the Colt 1860 frames will have to be milled flat. That is what the old-timers did when they manufactured their LCCs. Their loading levers often stayed in place, too but had no more function. The LCCs usually do not have an integrated ejector. Incidentally, they are not known with an ejector at all.

 

5.7.1_2 Right side close-up original Colt 1860 Army Long Cylinder Conversion: NB no loading gate

 

Historically, the first of these Army LCCs were chambered for .44 Henry RF cartridges. This big bore cartridge was readily available after 1865 in the American West and Southwest. Some were altered to shoot .44 CF fire rounds once such more modern cartridges became available to the public sometime during the middle of the 1870s. Typically their cylinders had no bolt approach notches. Newly lathed specimens were not roll-engraved with a naval cylinder scene.

 

5.7.2

Next of Kin – Colt 1871/72 Open Top

 

As the initiates know, these Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs) share important design characteristics with the later developed Colt 1871/72 Open Top (OT). The OTs were chambered for the same .44 Henry RF cartridge. Quite a few LCCs were fitted with a thin back plate. None had a conversion ring. The Open Top did not have a conversion ring either.

 

Like the Open Tops (OTs) the LCCs also had a straight cylinder. But theirs’ have the diameter of the large front segment of the Colt 1860 Army percussion cylinder of 4,12 cm/1.622 inch, whereas the OTs cylinder diameter measures less, like between 4,01 – 4,05 cm/1.577 – 1.596 inch.

 

5.7.2_1 Original Colt 1971/72 Open Top Late Model with Army grip (picture courtesy Collectors Firearms, Houston, TX, U.S.A.)

 

Several of the LCCs recorded got a rear sight dove-tailed on the barrel lug, again similar to the OTs sight arrangements but the OTs’ are an integral part of the barrel. Technically, some historians and collectors consider the Long Cylinder Conversions predecessors of the Colt Open Top. In frontier reality more often they were the poor man’s no-nonsense big bore pistol or an economy version of the OT.

 

5.7.3

Introducing Klaus Mumme – Master Gunsmith, Cowboy Action Shooter and Conversion Artist

 

For these first Long Cylinder Conversion (LCC) projects German master gunsmith Klaus Mumme of Pirmasens/Germany was trusted with the task of altering a couple of Centaures into LCCs. In addition to being a seasoned smith Klaus is a respected C.A.S. competitor, alias Sliding Horse as well. At the 1st Annual Meeting of the FROCS in July 2010 in Hofheim he applied for FROCS membership which was granted on July 20, 2010. His FROCS is number #77. Mumme’s professional specialty are cowboy guns. He understands what it takes to transform a six-shooter, lever gun or shotgun into a reliable iron for dynamic shooting sports.

I met Klaus the first time in 2004. Back then he altered my Uberti Henry 1860 rifle and an Army san Paolo (ASP) Winchester 1873 carbine from .44-40 to shoot the modern inside lubed .44 Colt cartridge. These jobs were so nicely executed that my pard and fellow FROCS #7 Bumble Bee asked him to give his ASP Winchester carbine the same treatment.

 

5.7.3_1 At ease Klaus Mumme and yours truly discussing the LCC project on June 1, 2008

 

Much more important and closer to the subject here are Mumme’s credentials as the conversion artist of a more recent project: Early in 2008 he altered my 1971 production Uberti fabricated Remington New Model 1863 Army percussion pistol into the below pictured .44 Colt caliber flat backplate arsenal conversion without loading gate.

 

5.7.3_2 Mumme-Uberti New Model 1863 Army flat backplate arsenal conversion #24229 in .44 Colt cal.

 

Conversion artist Bob Millington mentioned elsewhere provided the cylinder for this Remington alteration. Klaus fashioned a new octagon barrel with .429″ rifling groove diameter bore from a .44 Magnum tube, dovetailed the thin recoil plate and historically correct front sight into place. Also, he constructed and fitted the period but still flimsy ejector assembly and modified the percussion hammer with a typical Remington conversion firing pin to ignite my inside lubed .44 Colt cartridges. The finish is traditional blue with a case-colored hammer like the originals. Despite her mileage this Mumme-Uberti Remington New Model Army conversion is one sweet tack driver!

 

5.7.4

The Making of the Mumme Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs)

 

5.7.4_1 Centaure Marshals used for Long Cylinder Conversion project (top down): #12089 and #12067

 

Project guns for these LCC alterations were my Marshals 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #12089 and #12067 of 1972 production. #12067 was selected because she needed waynerizing anyhow (see chapter 1.1 of this website). In addition to waynerizing this conversion project shall accomplish another objective: I need a new pair of stylish match pistols for S.A.S.S. Cowboy Action Shoots (C.A.S.). It will be cool to use a pair of nicely tuned Centaure Marshal Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs) in C.A.S. instead of my two Uberti Open Tops.

 

Centaure	Project Outline
Project revolvers	Marshals 1st variation 2nd sub-variation #12067 and #12089
Barrel	5,5″
Barrel marking	none
Caliber	.44 Colt inside lubed (liner, .429″ rifling groove diameter)
Ejector housing	none
Wedge	Centaure
Conversion cylinder	Newly lathed without rebate from 1.7225-42 CrMo4-V320 steel, Texas cattle brands custom engraved
Hammer	bobbed Centaure, fitted with firing pin
Hammer stop	screwed in front of recoil shield with guiding hole for new firing pin
Rear sight	dovetailed and mounted on barrel, blued
Frame	water table milled flat
Recoil shield	cartridge loading channel cut into right recoil shield
Grip frame	Centaure brass triggerguard, backstrap steel cut for shoulder stock
Finish	rust blued, hammer „in the white“

 

After some more discussions backwards and forwards regarding technical details of the conversions and the finish it was finally agreed that these two Centaure conversions will be completely rust blued, no case colors whatsoever! Initially, the preference was towards nickel-plating often found on Mexican guns. This idea was dismissed eventually. From shooting the nickel-plated Centaure Richards-Mason I had learnt the hard way how difficult alignment of shiny sights can be in bright sun light.

 

5.7.4_2 Step from water table removed, thin back-plate before contouring, original arbor left in place

 

5.7.4_3 This blank will be turned into two LCC cylinders

 

The newly made conversion cylinders of the LCCs were lathed from 1.7225-42 CrMo4-V320 steel. That is the same alloy Karl Nedbal uses for his conversion cylinders like in the Centaure Richards, Richards-Mason, “Mystery” and Richards Transitional projects. The LCC cylinders will be custom engraved with Texas cattle brands.

 

5.7.4_4 „In the white“ without bolt approach notches: One of two newly lathed LCC conversion cylinder

 

5.7.4.1

Proof Testing and the BATF

 

When the conversions were completed sans rear sight, cylinder engraving and bluing in January 2010 they were presented to the Munich Proof house for proof testing. There was an unexpected hold-up, however. The proof house inspectors slammed on the brakes. They did not feel comfortable applying their stamp of approval because they smelled “design deficiencies”. No, they were not worrying about the open top design. They felt potential danger from a conversion without loading gate, supposed to preventing cartridges or empties from dropping out of the pistol during firing or blocking the action, respectively. They stuck to this position even though they had proof tested my above Uberti altered Remington arsenal conversion two years earlier which did not have a loading gate either!

 

5.7.4.1_1 LCC without loading gate: Cartridges and empties are kept in place by the recoil shield unless you cock the pistol while aiming at the sun, note bobbed hammer with firing pin

 

Only on May 12, 2010, the inspectors changed their minds after the historical correctness of this type of conversion was presented through supportive print evidence from Dennis Adler’s and Bruce McDowell’s books. No more discussion and the proof marks were applied.

Thanks, Klaus for your patience dealing with these worry warts.

Another important accomplishment was recorded with this project on June 16, 2010: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) of Martinsburg, WV, U.S.A. confirmed that custom converted F.A.U.L. Centaure Long Cylinder Conversions in .44 Colt cal. can be legally imported into the U.S.A. on a temporary base! One could also speculate an important U.S. government agency recognized this project.

 

5.7.4.1_2 Close to completion: August 7, 2010: Mumme Marshal LCC #12067 “in the white” Texas cattle brands custom engraved on cylinder

 

On August 7, 2010, I could take the first brief look at almost completed #12067 LCC. Just a few finishing jobs were required like cutting the dovetail on the breech end of the barrel for the installation of the rear sight, test firing her and adjusting the sights to bring POA and POI together, and finally polishing and rust bluing the Centaures.

 

5.7.4.2

The Day of Truth

 

On December 5, 2010, after some 30 months the deed is done, the conversion of my new pair of C.A.S. match pistols completed. They were personally delivered by Klaus Mumme to my house. During the bluing process he noted that an even blue-black color of the factory high gloss polished steel of the Marshals could not be achieved. Not even after a second and third attempt. Now they have this antique like mottled look. I like it.

During his test firing Mumme could establish that both pistols were shooting to POA at a typical C.A.S. distance of 10 yards with very little spread. Empties would drop out of their chambers by gravity, no tools were needed for that job.

 

5.7.4.2_1 Centaure Marshal #12089 with dovetailed rear sight displayed on Dennis Adler’s book titled COLT SINGLE ACTION FROM PATERSON TO PEACEMAKERS

 

Now the $ 10,000.00 question: Are these Mumme Centaure LCCs the ultimate CAS pistols for a cowboy portraying an early 1870 character? You bet and lots of style points are on the horizon, too! As a side note our FROCS and buddy Bumble Bee was impressed by Klaus’s conversion jobs, too. He happened to be at my house with one of his Centaure Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) when Mumme delivered my new toys. BB was so hot he banged his RNMA 1st variation 2nd variation #11681 from 1971 on the table to have her converted into an 8” barrelled LCC! His plan was to use her together with his 7,5” barrel Uberti Colt Open Top as one of this pair of main match pistols in C.A.S. According to Mumme this time the conversion would only require three (3) months. He explained that by the experience gained building my Marshal conversions!

 

5.7.4.2_2 Breech view of LCC, note hole in hammer stop/back-plate for firing pin

 

5.7.4.3

Range Report #1

 

The first work-out of my two Marshal Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs) took place on December 8, 2010. Accuracy at CAS distances is OK by me but getting used to their short sight radius will take some time before I test them at longer distances like 25 and 50 meters. The objective will be to establish their accuracy potential but more importantly their long-term reliability.

5.7.4.3_1 First shooting of LCC #12067 at 10 meters/11 yards, cocked and fired as fast as possible, aiming at the bulls eye, connecting slightly to the left

 

5.7.4.3_2 First shooting of LCC #12089 at 10 meters/11 yards, cocked and fired as fast as possible, aiming at the bulls eye, connecting slightly to the right, easy corrected with drift adjustable rear sighs

 

I noted some cocking issues with a two-handed stance attributed to the lack of a loading gate: When the pistols were slightly raised while being cocked some cartridge but more often an empty would move slightly backwards into the loading channel and block the action. The answer to this? I had to learn shooting them in duellist style.

 

5.7.4.3.1

Range Report #2

 

Gave my Marshal Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs) another workout on March 9, 2011, spiced with some CAS holster drills. The objective was to get a feeling of their reliability in C.A.S. conditions, and how smooth the action felt after Klaus Mumme provided some more fine tuning. Additionally, another assessment of POA vs. POI shooting duellist style was called for. The LCCs were loaded with my standard C.A.S. load of 200 grainers over smokeless powder.

For the records: After the switch to duellist shooting style there were no more cocking issues.

 

5.7.4.3.1_1 Close-up of Marshal LCC #12089, barrel & cylinder pulled: Back plate is epoxied to recoil shield and additionally fixed by 2 screws, note guiding hole for firing pin

 

• Reliability: Was satisfactory initially. After 30 rounds fired through each LCC the barrel stud of #12089 went flying. Function of the pistol was not affected by this incident because the lever screw was fixed very tight. Found the stud in the dust of the range later and fixed it to the barrel with epoxy.
• Pointability: Both pistols point excellent as you would expect from their 1860 Army lineage. You hit what the front sight is pointing at. They lean themselves to point-shooting, which is against both BDS and C.A.S. rules, however.
• Unloading empties: I was amazed how easy empties can be removed although these LCCs don’t have an ejector. Just bring the hammer in the half-cock position, point the barrel upwards, turn the cylinder and the empties will drop out. Period, just like this. Getting the empties out after a couple of stages have been shot might become a different story when the chambers are dirty from powder residue.
• Mainspring and slicking up the action: Both pistols were fitted with Uberti SAA mainsprings instead of the original heavy duty Centaure ones recommended for C&B pistols. Cocking of #12067 felt a bit harder compared to #12089 but not unpleasant. Her mainspring may need some more lightening. Remember, #12067 was the pistol that needed waynerizing when still in C&B state. Some amateur smith had worked the bolt and the hand. After she got some additional attention from Klaus her action is still a bit stiff compared to #12089. This should improve over time with more mileage. For the time being I can live with it.
• Triggers: They are just sweet of both pistols, broke like glass!

I feel this Long Cylinder Conversion concept has potential in C.A.S. for main match pistols, particularly if duellist or double duellist is your preferred category. That was the comment of European champion in the classic cowboy category FROCS #30 Socks formerly Lederstrumpf after he fired a couple of strings with both pistols as well.

 

5.7.4.3.1_2 Left side clinical view of Centaure Marshal LCCs (top down): #12089, #12067

 

5.7.4.3.2

Growing Pains

 

But all spring and most of summer passed by before the pair was ready for serious cowboy action shooting. Here is a list of minor and major headaches that needed to be addressed.

• Barrel studs: The epoxy did not do its job on the barrel stud of #12089. It went flying again during my 3rd string of 5 rounds a week later. To make things worse the stud of #12067 followed suit. Obviously, medicine stronger than epoxy was required to cure this ailment. Welding the studs with a dental laboratory laser seemed to be the way to go. This worked and still works perfectly until today for #12089 but not for #12069. Because during the next work-out session her stud went flying again. Another session with the laser was called for. Again, this fix did not do the job. After consultation with Klaus Mumme the only option left seemed to manufacture a new stud with a wider base and to cut a new wider and deeper dovetail into the barrel. And that did it, finally. We are now well into June.
• Action job of #12067: After her laser welding #12089 works flawless. Cocking of #12069 became more and more difficult during all this experimenting with the fixes of her barrel stud. It reached a point were cocking under match conditions was almost impossible. It seemed that both hand and bolt were not properly hardened, and the hammer cam had suffered some, too. Possibly the timing was gone. Time for a complete overhaul of the action including fitting a newly fabricated bolt and hand. This was accomplished by mid-August.
• During the latter part of August and early September both pistols were given their regular .44 Colt treatment of some 200 rounds each. Both pistols performed fine, no flying studs, no timing issues. So, I was confident that shooting them at the forthcoming 2nd Annual Meeting of the FROCS on September 10 would just be a piece of cake.
• New front sight: During the main match and the side matches at the FROCS meeting percussion and conversion Centaures were to be fed with BP loads only. And that was a stiff gentleman’s load of CH2. #12089 went flying through the paces but #12067 again had issues. No action or stud troubles this time but the front sight went off during the second stage of the main match. This was frustrating some because I could no longer compete in the match. Apart from that it was no immediate problem. But it could quickly develop into a major PITA because I had registered both pistols for temporary import into the U.S.A. with the BATF for the War Dept’s (the best wifey of the all aka Cornelia) and my Texas vacation 10 days later. But luck was on my side again.

 

5.7.4.3.2_1 Right side view of Centaure Marshal LCCs (top down): #12089, #12067

 

5.7.4.3.3

Ready for Action – at Last

 

Gunsmith and LCC converter Klaus Mumme aka FROCS #77 had attended the 2nd Annual Meeting of the FROCS. That is the good news. He took ailing #12067 back home to his shop in southwest Germany for the making and installation of a new front sight of proper height. He did that chore at no charge. So, #12067 was back in Hofheim a week later and I was ready for some shooting action Texas style!

Thanks to Klaus’ timely support I could attend the Sunday shoot of the Tejas Pistoleros at Eagle Lake near Houston on September 25 and the Annual Shoot of the Canadian River Regulators at the Bar H Ranch in Clarendon in the Texas Panhandle on October 8, 2011, with both Centaure Long Cylinder Conversions in perfect shooting order. Actually, I did quite well at the bullet splitting contest. It was about time. Off-hand long-range shooting up to 150 yards was very satisfactory once I found the sighting point.

 

5.7.5

Winter 2011/12 – Update from Downrange

 

This endurance and torture test was performed to evaluate large frame percussion revolvers plus their custom and replica industry produced conversions for Cowboy Action Shooting as explained elsewhere already. In the custom conversion category of Colt 1860 Army pattern pistols four (4) Centaures were entered, namely this pair of Mumme Marshal Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs) and the Nedbal Richards (R1) and Richards Transitional (R2). The testers‘ statements on the latter two pistols are to be found in chaper 5.1 and 5.6, respectively.

The key data on the LCCs are listed in below table. Similar information is available on all pistols entered into this test.

 

Colt 1860 Army pattern LCCs	Centaure LCC #12067	Centaure LCC #12089
Modifications/tuning	Mumme conversion	Mumme conversion
Project pistol/model	Centaure Marshal	Centaure Marshal
Caliber inch	.44 Colt	.44 Colt
Manufactured	1972	1972
Proof test	2010 conversion	2010 conversion
„Mileage“	ca. 2,100 rounds since conversion	Ca. 2,200 rounds since conversion
Grip	properly fitted oiled walnut, sides of panels custom flattened, good grip	properly fitted oiled walnut, sides of panels custom flattened, good grip
Barrel inch	5,5	5,5
Cylinder gap mm inch	0,25 .01	0,5 .02
Rifling groove diameter inch	.428	.428
Chamber mouth diameter inch	6 x .428	6 x .428
V5 black powder m/s fps	234,3 (load 3) 767,7 (load 3)	221,9 (load 3), 211,0 (load 2) 728,2 (load 3), 692,4 (load 2)
V5 smokeless m/s fps	208.3 (load 2) 683,4 (load 2)	207,8 (load 2) 681,8 (load 2)
MIP black powder	153,5 (load 2)	145,6 (load 3), 138,5 (load 2)
MIP smokeless	136,7 (load 2)	136,4 (load 3)
Modifications/tuning	conversion cylinder, lined barrel, SAA main spring, hand with coil spring	conversion cylinder, lined barrel, SAA main spring, hand with coil spring
Condition	C.A.S. match revolver	C.A.S. match revolver

 

5.7.5.1

Excerpts of the Testers‘ Report

 

„Both Long Cylinder Conversions are reliable and highly accurate shooting irons with smokeless loads despite their short barrels and sight radius.“

During the initial trials with black powder loads we noted problems to cock and turn the cylinder of LCC #12089 after three (3) strings already because MoS2 was used to lube the arbor. After the switch to Vaseline based lube four (4) strings were managed with #12089 easily. Match readiness for the final two (2) strings was re-established by wiping the face of the cylinder with a wet cloth. Sensitivity to black powder fouling of the LCCs (and the two Centaure Richards R1 and R2 as well) is due to their historically correct conversion cylinders without gas ring to protect the arbor (NB: Modern replica industry produced conversions are fitted with conversion cylinders equipped with a historically not correct gas ring). Therefore, cleaning of the cylinder face and possibly applying a drop of Ballistol or a spray shot of WD-40 to this area between stages is prudent. Too bad during the 4th string of the black powder stage LCC #12067 was disabled by a broken firing pin. Cartridges were no longer ignited.

 

The testers concluded: „… after shooting smokeless rounds the empties usually drop from the chambers from gravity only. After shooting black powder loads, we needed to use a rod to eject the empties.“

„The rear sight on the barrel lug is easily aligned with the front sight, particularly if you have older eyes.”

 

5.7.6

The Herd Keeps on Growing

 

With my pair of Marshal Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs) as main match pistols for CAS I was well equipped. However, in April 2013 I felt a third Centaure LCC as back-up would be prudent. This time it was to be a Regular New Model Army (RNMA) with 8” barrel. The idea was to have an additional  shooting iron with longer sight radius and potentially greater accuracy in competitions other than C.A.S. like Speed as well.

 

5.7.6.1

Centaure RNMA #12270

 

The previous owner of project pistol RNMA 6th variation 2nd sub-variation #12270 of 1972 production had the visible screw heads nicely domed and strawed.

 

5-7-6-1_1 RNMA LCC #12270 displayed with unloading rod and a box of rare German factory loaded .44 Colt inside lubed ammo from WM Bullets

 

Klaus Mumme delivered #12270 match-ready with the front sight adjusted for my 200 grain .44 Colt cowboy loads in August. Only in November 2013 she could pass the acid test at the 6 stage Winter Trail match in Philippsburg/Germany. Old friend and FROCS #56 Archangel needed a 2nd conversion as companion pistol to go with his 5,5″ barreled Uberti made Colt 1871/72 Open Top (OT) in .44 Colt, to compete in the BDS 1875 Conversion category (very similar to Classic Cowboy, no short strokes allowed, MIP 120).

He carried the LCC in a cross-draw holster on the left, the OT on the strong hand side. Archangel came in second, highly impressed by the crisp trigger and her inherent accuracy. Compared to my Marshal Model LCCs and Archangel’s short OT this 8″er seems to be a more “forgiving” pistol thanks to her better inherent point-ability. A year later he sweet-talked me out of her.

 

5.7.6.2

Centaure RNMAs #5590 and #11681 – 5,5″ Barrels

 

Whatever happened to Bumble Bee’s Regular New Model Army (RNMA) #11681? Remember, Mumme was to transform her into a Long Cylinder Conversion (LCC) as well? Already a couple of months ago BB had changed his original order. Regarding #11681 Klaus’s new instructions for this conversion project now called for the RNMA’s barrel to be cut to a comfortable length of 5,5″, like my Marshals. BB had also added his RNMA 1st variation 3rd variation #5590 of 1966 making to the order to be altered the same way. Their cylinders were to be custom engraved with centaur logos!

 

5.7.6.2_1 Bumble Bee’s Centaure RNMA based  LCCs, barrels cut to 5,5” #5590 & #11681 (top down): Note high front sights adjusted for POI

 

5.7.6.2_2 Conversion cylinder of BB’s #11681 custom engraved with rampant centaur logo: Note rear sight dove-tailed on barrel lug

 

5.7.6.2_3 Walking centaur logo custom engraved on cylinder of BB’s #5590

 

As expected, the lineage of Bumble Bee’s LCCs from Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) instead of Marshals resulted in slightly thicker diameters of the barrel measured at the muzzles compared to my pair of Marshal LCCs:

 

Centaure Model LCC	Muzzle Diameter
RNMA #5590 mm inch	17,50 .689
RNMA #11681 mm inch	18,00 .709
Marshal #12067 mm inch	17,10 .673
Marshal #12089 mm inch	17,40 .686

 

5.7.6.3

Centaure RNMAs #7956 and #7957 – 6″ Barrels

 

In 2017 my good Texas friend, cowboy action shooter and FROCS #202 Jacobite Jack from Amarillo, U.S.A. felt the itches of an acute attack of Bacillus Conversicus (BC). After consultations with European FROCS and a few U.S. conversion artists he grabbed his consecutively numbered pair of Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs) 3rd variation 3rd sub-variation #7956 and #7957 and paid a visit to gun smith Jared „JB“ Baker of Long Hunter Shooting Supply in Amarillo https://www.longhunt.com/web/. Among others Jared specializes on building and tuning C.A.S. guns and open top type percussion revolvers. This was the beginning of a great friendship which came to fruition in early June of 2018, yours truly being present.

 

5.7.6.3_1 Jacobite Jack inspects his Jared Baker built pair of RNMA LCCs #7956 & #7957 in .44 Colt cal.

 

The barrels of this Texas altered pair of RNMA LCCs were cut to a handy 6″. Below are a few comparative views of one of the Jared Baker converted 6″ barreled RNMAs to one of my Klaus Mumme altered 5,5″ barreled Marshals.

 

5.7.6.3_2 Two Centaure LCCs (from top): 6″ barreled RNMA #7957, 5,5″ barreled Marshal #12089

 

5.7.6.3_3 Different style of crowned business ends of the two LCCs (from left): Texas, Germany

 

5.7.6.3_4 Conversion cylinders, back plate and hammers with firing pin (from top): Texas, Germany

 

I like to mention here that this task was the first conversions Jared ever built. The two LCCs each represent an excellent package of workmanship, reliability and accuracy. Hopefully, we will see more Centaures altered by this young conversion artist to shoot metal cartridges in the future!

 

5.7.6.3_5 Jared joined the ranks of the FROCS as FROCS #216 JB on June 16, 2018, present at the informal ceremony were (from left) Jacobite Jack, Jared „JB“ Baker, yours truly

 

5.7.6.4

Centaure RNMAs #12867 and #13859 – 4″ Barrels

 

After analyzing specs of Centaure LCCs recorded in the data bank of this website and some more studying of McDowell’s conversion bible FROCS #196 Doc Richards, from my hometown and I realized we were in dire need of another conversion each. Doc is hunter, gun collector, competition shooter and gun dealer on the sideline. His alias was granted after he had Karl Nedbal rebuilt or improve rather his pair of C.A.S. competition revolvers, namely two Uberti made Colt 1860 Army Richards Transitionals (R2s) in .44 Colt cal. into Richards conversions (R1s) with proper Colt markings and all.

He had this Centaure RNMA 6th variation 2nd sub-variation #12867 of 1972 production in his inventory begging to be altered to fire cartridges. I had available another RNMA 6th variation 2nd sub-variation, namely #13859 from 1973. To have the two RNMAs transformed into another unique pair of Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs) found in McDowell’s book on pages 411 ff. assumed definite form in the fall of 2018.

 

5.7.6.4_1 Doc Richards and my 2018/19 LCC project: Pair of Centaure replications of famous Overland Stage LCC

 

We hoped Karl Nedbal would be available to make these alterations. To the best of our knowledge, he never built a LCC before. Hence, it could be an interesting challenge for him. And yes, the master was interested. Our short project list reads like this: Barrels cut to 4″, loading levers removed, slots in barrel lugs plugged, Centaure barrel markings maintained, no separate rear sights on the barrels but for use with the original C&B rear sights, finish in high gloss polish.

 

5.7.6.4_2 Test firing the pair by the master in February 2019: Excellent accuracy.

 

5.7.6.4_3 Hand-delivery of the goodies by Master Nedbal at Kassel gun show on April 17, 2019, present (from left): Prof. Dr. Frank Thielemann and Georg Reitmeyer aka FROCS #213 The Fox (representatives of VDW), yours truly, FROCS #196 Doc Richards

 

Here are a few more views of the new toys.

 

5.7.6.4_4 Doc’s Centaure RNMA LCC #12867 a week after delivery: Some bluing applied

 

5.7.6.4_5 My Centaure RNMA #13859: Will keep the white finish

 

5.7.6.4_6 Factory barrel marking maintained

 

5.7.6.4_7 Both LCCs share OVERLAND STAGE marking like original on buttstrap: Doc’s is L.1, mine is L.2

 

The pair was successfully introduced to the sport in the B.D.S. equivalent to the Classic Cowboy category by yours truly at a C.A.S. shoot on July 4, 2020, organized by the Open Range Shooters in Klein-Umstadt/Germany https://open-range-shooters.de/.

Above LCC stories add up to nine (9) Centaure Long Cylinder Conversions (LCCs). Do they represent all the LCCs of Belgian origin out there? At least one additional Regular New Model Army (RNMA) converted to LCC in .38 Special cal. is known from the herd of another FROCS but her serial number is not available. Therefore, please holler if you own a Centaure LCC or know of one, send an e-mail to Wolf at info@niederastroth.com.

 

5.7.6.4_8 In recognition of the accomplishments of Mexican gunsmiths proudly displayed on the Mexican State flag (from top): Austrian Nedbal “Mystery”, German Mumme LCC 5,5″, Austrian Nedbal LCC 4″

 

 

Updated February 15, 2024

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