Factory Markings

Factory Markings & Cylinder Naval Scenes

# Barrel Markings of Centaure Models & Variations

# Centaur - Corporate Logo

# Country of Origin

# Naval Scenes on the Cylinder

# Centaure Proprietary Naval Scene

# Colt-Type Naval Scene

# Thoughts about Availability

# Mythbuster

Barrel Markings of Centaure Models & Variations

No barrel marking: selected models 1967, 1971 through 1973

RNMA 5th variation #6759

De Luxe factory engraved RNMA #11851

· Early RNMA 5^th variation (above left #6759)

· Marshal Models

· Factory engraved Models (above right #11851)

“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”: 1959 through 1973

RNMA 1^st variation, 2^nd sub-variation #14260

· RNMA 1^st variation, 1^st& 2^nd sub-variation (above #14260)

· RNMA 2^nd variation

· RNMA 3^rd variation, 1st sub-variation

· RNMA 6^th variation, 2^nd sub-variation

· Civilian Model 1^st & 2^nd variation

· Cavalry Model 1^st&^2ndvariation

“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK: 1965 through 1973

RNMA 1st variation, 3rd sub-variation #7266

· RNMA 1^st variation, 2^nd & 3^rd sub-variation

· RNMA 2^nd variation

· RNMA 3^rd variation, 2^nd & 3^rd sub-variation (# > 2000)

· RNMA 7^th variation

“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CHICAGO U.S.A.: 1963 (USA and New Zealand)

RNMA 2nd variation #2024

· RNMA 2^nd variation (above #2024)

· Civilian Model 2^nd variation

· Cavalry Model 1^st variation

CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”: 1963 through 1973

RNMA 1st variation, 2nd sub-variation #11567

· RNMA 1^st variation, 2^nd (above #11567) & 3^rd sub-variation

· RNMA 2^nd variation

· RNMA 3^rd variation, 2^nd & 3^rd sub-variation (# > 2000)

· RNMA 4^th variation

· RNMA 6^th variation, 1^st & 2^nd sub-variation

· Cavalry Model 3^rd & 4^th variation

Centaure - Corporate Logo

RNMA #128

Early RNMAs through ca. serial number 950 do not have the Centaure logo (1959 through 1961 production, see #128 left) embossed into the frame nor do the Civilian Models from #C1 to C490 (1960/61), nor factory engraved models!

Later production pistols without the corporate logo are very rare. They would most likely represent an error at the assembly line but not a pistol specially ordered without logo.

RNMA #1269

From 1961 to the end of production the Centaure logo was placed on the forward left side of the frame.

Through 1964 (#3281) the logo is a rampant centaur with the front legs raised and the rifle pointing upwards, see left #1269.

RNMA #4601

This was changed to a walking centaur from around #3408 with the rifle

pointing downwards, see left #4601.

Country of Origin

Pistols have MADE IN BELGIUM embossed into the butt of the back-strap (#128 left below). Few pistols are known with this mark on the left side of the barrel (as well, #2538 right below),

RNMA #128

RNMA #2538

even fewer with no such mark at all (#7638 left below). Most shoulder stocks of the Cavalry Model are stamped on the left side of the brass. See picture of F845 below right.

RNMA #7638

Shoulder stock #F845

Naval Scenes on the Cylinder

Centaures with 2 types of naval engagement scene roll engraved into the cylinder were marketed.

Centaure Proprietary Naval Scene

These cylinders were roll-engraved at FAUL’s in Belgium. The naval scene is similar to the Colt/Ormsby-type but shows less background detail. 2 variants of this scene are known:

# Type 1: The legend ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843 is engraved parallel to the front end of the cylinder on the first 490 of the Civilian Model (see #C418 below left), i. e. 1^st variation but was omitted on the later ones.

# Type 2: Found on 2^nd variation Civilians, 2^nd variation RNMAs and 2^nd variation Cavalry Models (confirmation pending) do not have this legend. Likewise, it is not found on the extra cylinders with this naval scene.

Between the naval scene is the marking NEW MODEL 44 (#2684 below right)

Civilian 1st variation #C418

RNMA 2nd variation #2684

Centaure proprietary naval engagement scene without legend, details below (extra cylinder #969):

Colt or Ormsby Type Naval Scene

Contrary to the before mentioned type of cylinder scene these cylinders were roll-engraved in the USA! Because US shooters did not like the Centaure proprietary naval engagement scene. Therefore, Centennial Arms Corporation, Chicago (CACC) had noted US gunmaker Thomas Haas produce a roll cylinder die with the Ormsby naval scene as used on Colt 1851 & 1861 Navies and the 1860 Armies. Revolvers were ordered by CACC from FAUL’s with their cylinders blank so the Colt/Ormsby scene could be added in the USA.

These pistols then became what we call today RNMAs 3^rd variations. Their cylinders regularly bear the legend ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843 parallel to the rim of the cylinder. 2 basic types of such cylinder scenes are currently known:

# Type 1: Between the naval scene of the 1^st sub-variation the marking embossed COLTS PATENT N^o plus serial number is embossed. It is assumed that this is the regular marking of the first pistols with this cylinder scene, assumed in the 1400 serial number range (#1423 left below). These are the extremely rare RNMA 3^rd variation, 1^st sub-variation.

#Type 2: On 3^rd variation RNMAs with this cylinder scene but higher S/Ns, i. e. 2^nd and 3^rd sub-variation the marking was changed to CENTENNIAL and the serial number was moved to the breech end of the cylinder (right below #2999). Centaures with this type of cylinder engraving are called 2^nd sub-variation (with cut in butt for shoulder stock) and/or 3^rd sub-variation (without cut in butt for shoulder stock). These variations are very common in the USA. A few late production pistols with this cylinder scene are known without the CENTENNIAL mark.