|
|
Centaure Richards Transitional
Conversion # Colt 1860 Transitional
Richards # What is a
Colt Richards II? # Project
Outline # The Last
Nedbal Centaure Conversion or the Shock of March 29, 2011 # Is there Light at the End of the
Tunnel? |
The Colt 1860 Transitional Richards
or Richards II (R2) as some call this “improved” Richards conversion is the
rarest of the Hartford factory conversions. Their
total number produced is estimated today at probably less than 1000 specimens.
If you add to this equation that the survival rate of period guns was only 10
to 15 % but that Colt breech loading Army conversion pistols saw extensive military
use not only through the 1880s at the Western frontier and later again during
the skirmishes of the Mexican revolution between 1910 and 1929 it does not come
as a surprise at all that well maintained R2s demand very high prices at
auctions.
|
Colt Richards Transitional Model |
But if Originals hit the market at all they are
usually in a used to molested condition. This might be an explanation why my good friends
from Gardone/Italy decided to market 2006 a replica of the Richards
Transitional instead of the more common Richards … at they are less costly in
the making. |
Then what is a Colt Richards II?
In essence the barrel assembly of the Richards (R1) combined with frame and
conversion ring of the later Richards-Mason (RM). This model was launched
during the early 1870s after some 9000 Richards Army conversions were
completed. Although the US Army was happy with the latter breech
loaders Colt’s found them too expensive in the making! Hence they
incorporated these afore mentioned short cuts in the production and could make further
use of their stock of old Army C&B parts. While some of the Richards had
reworked C&B cylinders, all Richards II had newly lathed cartridge
cylinders installed. This R2 program led to the even more advanced RM
conversion once the inventory of C&B barrels in Hartford was exhausted!
|
RNMA #6981 1st variation, 3rd
sub-variation from 1966 |
Thanks to Austrian master gunsmith Karl Nedbal
Centaure Richards (R1) and Richards+Mason (RM) chambered for the modern .44
Colt cartridge are reality by now. On the other hand, a Centaure R2 would
bridge the evolutionary gap between R1 and RM within the family of Hartford made
Colt Army type conversions. |
Therefore, I had to have one!
After the experience FROCS #50 Luger Master aka Karl Nedbal had gathered
with the previous Centaure Richards and the Richards-Mason conversions this was
going to be a straight forward Centaure conversion. This time Nedbal converted his
RNMA #6981 for me.
|
The
project was kicked-off July 18, 2010, right after the 1st European
FROCS & Centaure meeting. We agreed on a completion date around the end
of March 2011. Because at that time some business trip was scheduled to
Vienna. It will not be necessary to discuss details of her
making. This is already covered in the subject chapters on the Centaure |
Richards (barrel assembly) and the Richards-Mason (frame/conversion ring
assembly). But I like to share one piece of specific information with you,
namely the labor time incurred for this conversion. It added up to an amazing 40
working hours!
|
Left side view of #6981 |
As anticipated in mid 2010 the day of truth was to be March 29, 2011
when I took possession of this last piece of Karl’s conversion art.
The Last Nedbal
Centaure Conversion or the Shock of March 29, 2011: Yes, pards
& pardettes, you got that right I am afraid. This Nedbal Centaure Richards
Transitional Model is the last conversion that the master completed!
|
Right side view of #6981 |
Why the last one? Because Karl will not accept any more new orders for conversions
or any other sizable gun projects. Because he will close his shop during the
next few weeks once the last orders on hand of his clients like repair jobs etc.
are done. Because Mr. Nedbal will retire at the age of 65 in
April 2011. While this sad news is sinking in please, have a closer look
at the interesting details of this Centaure conversion.
|
Note
new firing pin on hammer & outside gate spring |
Original barrel marking maintained |
A legend in his time, a great European artist of traditional and
innovative gunsmithing, renowned Colt and Winchester collector who has in the
tips of his magic fingers more about restoring, repairing and tuning of
originals and clones alike than many of the so called specialists. The genius who made small series of .45 ACP Lugers from scratch to add
another perspective. Karl is tired and will be around no longer as a gunsmith. So much for the bad news.
|
Close-up
of the loading gate area: note serial number on loading gate |
Liège
proof house marks are maintained. Note domed screw heads and 44 CAL on trigger-guard |
Is there Light
at the End of the Tunnel? Although Karl is closing his shop in Ortsstraße 189,
2331 Vösendorf/Austria and is selling his heavy equipment, he is moving many of
his tools and some of his machinery to a new, smaller place in the attic of his
house. His missus Christa confided into me that he bought selected modern,
smaller equipment. This he is planning to use for tinkering his other love, old
steam engine models…
|
Frame & conversion ring with newly lathed arbor |
Breech side view of the newly
lathed conversion cylinder with Vienna proof marks |
However, it occurred to me that some of the machinery he keeps and
bought new has no use for working steam engines. My gut feeling tells me that
he cannot sit in his new shop brooding over issues of old steam engines. Good
ole Karl will soon be back doing some gun repairs and restorations eventually,
possibly some gun building as well … at his own pace … for a few selected clients…I
hope. So, this conversion artist might be back, the sooner the better. Let’s triple
X fingers!
And finally, what do you think of below trio of Nedbal Centaure
conversions? They all have “Richards” in their names
Nedbal Centaure Conversions proudly
displayed on the Austrian flag (top to bottom): Richards #4079,
Richards Transitional #6981, Richards-Mason #6176
WDN/April 5, 2011
© 2007-11 Wolf D. Niederastroth