1st Model	Regular New Model Army (RNMA) – Common Characteristics
Barrel	8"
Frame	3-screw, recoil shield cut for shoulder stock
Prefix	none
Comments	the type of postols most often observed. Some variations were exclusively available, either in Europe or the USA.

So far we have discovered 7 variations of the 1^st Model or Regular New Model Army. They are described and pictured below in detail.

1st Variation	RNMA - Key Features
Cylinder	rebated, plain
Finish	blue & case hardened (B/CCH)
Comments	first variation made from 1959 to 1973

3 sub-variations of the 1^st variation of the RNMA are currently known.

1st Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 1st Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	yes
Logo	none
Barrel marking	"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"
Chambers	large
Arbor	1st version
Comments	this sub-variation is only known from the USA. See 4 specimens pictured below:

RNMA #128 back-strap cut for stock, MADE IN BELGIUM		RNMA #394 without logo
RNMA #925 without logo	RNMA #952 without logo

2nd Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 1st Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	yes
Logo	rampant (early), walking centaur (intermediate & late production)
Barrel markings	"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"
Chambers	large, mid-size & small
Arbor	all 4 versions found in line with year of production
Comments	sold on both sides of the Atlantic. See specimens #3039 and 5535 pictured below:

RNMA #3039

RNMA #5535 with walking centaur logo

All currently known factory engraved RNMA be they of the de Luxe, Super de Luxe or Presentation variety are 1^st variations, 2^nd subvariations.

3rd Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 1st Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	none
Logo	walking centaur
Barrel markings	"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"
Chambers	mid-size & small
Arbor	2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th version
Comments	available on both sides of the big pond. See specimen #6176 pictured below:

RNMA #6176

No toe of butt of #6176

Doesn’t this original Colt 1860 Army look exactly like a Centaure Regular New Model Army of the 1^st variation? Please, note “short” loading lever which might be a replacement part taken from a 7,5” barrel specimen!

Refinished original Colt 1860 Army...

…without naval engagement scene on cylinder

Pricing & extras: 1960 in the USA Centennial Arms Corp. in Chicago (CACC) would have taken $ 99,95 of your hard earned cash, but 1992 their price had dropped to $ 89,95 already.

You could purchase an extra cylinder with the Colt-type naval scene at $ 14,95 back then. This extra cylinder had its own serial number not identical with the gun. A few years later during the early 1970s in Germany dealer Paul Jacoby of Iserlohn would ask DM 337,50 for the pistol.

This 1^st variation RNMAs could be had on the Eastern shores of the big pond with an extra cylinder featuring the Centaure naval scene of below 2^nd variation RNMA. In the USA customers could purchase the he optional cylinder, too. However, they were privileged and had a choice: either the one with the Centaure like the Europeans, or the one with below described Ormsby-style naval engagement scene of the 3^rd variation RNMA. No matter which extra cylinder was chosen its serial number does not match the one of the revolver.

From Bärbel Harlos, Germany catalog 1973

Your friendly French or German gun dealer would get you this 1^st variation RNMA with silverish Centaure logo medallions inlaid into the grip.

FAQ: “If the Belgian Colts were introduced to commemorate the Civil War and this 1^st variation RNMAs were the first models available 1959/1960 why are their cylinders not featuring the roll engraved naval scene like Colt Navies and Armies from the Civil War era?”

IMHO it is a fair guess that Bill Edwards and Sig Shore wanted to have their Belgian Army ready for sale in the USA in due time BEFORE the centennial of the Civil War festivities. It was their objective rather to commemorate the introduction of the successful 1860 Army pattern pistol with the launch of the “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” despite the fact that it was MADE IN BELGIUM. They got away with it because the Centaure was the only game in town at the time.

We should also disregard thoughts that the 2 model guns after which the first variation RNMAs were patterned were so worn out that no more cylinder scene was detectable for copying. Tight production or shipment schedules at FAUL’s BEFORE the projected US launch date in 1960 as a cause for the lack of this feature might have been a concern, however.

But we must also understand that William B. Edwards, the “driver” of the Centaure project during the late 1950s/early 1960s was somewhat biased: being a respected Civil War and Colt historian in the USA he was fully aware that 99,9% of the Belgians were sold through his US company to USA shooters, en-actors but also collectors. To the US initiates he was the man to blame for the use of Centaure parts in cases of fakery of 1^st generation Colt Armies. That was a serious issue.

Considering this, he had FAUL built the Centaures with subtle differences to the Civil War Colt Armies. The advanced Colt students will notice this immediately. By this approach Edwards hoped to prevent situations where “his baby Centaure” was getting connected too easy to fakery of the real thing, by the powerful Colt Collectors Associations.

There were other considerations: during the early stages of the Centaure project the prime objective was to provide shooters and re-enactors with a high quality, functional and rugged, no nonsense C&B revolver at a decent price, not a display piece. Hence the plain cylinder as opposed to one with an Ormsby style naval scene, among other details.

As we know today Edwards’s fakery concern was unfounded, the solution for a problem that did not exist because Italian made Navies from the same period had the PC naval scene on their cylinders and also the reference to the famous Ormsby engraving. They did not care less.

2nd Variation	RNMA - Key Features
Cylinder	Centaure proprietary engagement scene similar to Ormsby-type but less background details
Cylinder marking	NEW MODEL 44
Cylinder legend	none
Finish	blue & case hardened (B/CCH)

Belgian Navy Brevete #199910 made by V. Gulikers-Maquinay Maker					Why would I share pics of this old and worn Belgian Navy 1851 (left & below) from the 2^nd half of the 19^thcentury, that saw action in Turkey according to the proof marks, but that was not made by the Hanquets, because the barrel marking reads COLT’S SYSTEM OF NEW-YORK V.GULIKERS-MAQUINAY MAKER? Take a closer look at her cylinder engraving (below).

What do you think of this idea: Would it be too far-fetched a thought that above stylized scene of a naval engagement on the cylinder of Belgian Navy #199910 was the role model, the inspiration for the engravers at FAUL a century later during the early 1960s when they designed their period proprietary Centaure naval scene … that we admire today on the Civilian Model, the 2^nd variation RNMA discussed in this chapter, a handful of Cavalry Models and a few Pocket Armies?

Do you have a better idea? Let’s talk about it over at the forum.

RNMA 2nd variation #2722

Until July 17, 2010 I firmly believed that this variant was only made between 1962 and 1964. Until we had the 1^st European Centaure meeting to celebrate the 50 anniversary of this pistol. Until German FROCS 77 Sliding Horse presented such a variant with a serial number indicating manufacturing during the late 1960s and without the toe on the butt. All specimens known until that date had the toe on the butt. Therefore, the 2^nd variation of the RNMA was made at least in 2 sub-variations. Here comes the 1^st sub-variation:

1st Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 2nd Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	yes
Logo	rampant centaur
Barrel markings	"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CHICAGO U.S.A. CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"
Chambers	large & mid-size
Arbor	1st & 2nd version
Comments	this variation is only known from the USA and New Zealand

A thoughtful US pard felt sorry for this European cowboy who could not obtain an early production 2^nd variation RNMA over here at his friendly gun dealer or at a European gun auction. Because these 1^st sub-variations were all shipped to remote shores like the other side of the big pond or down under to New Zealand back then. So this US cowboy liberated #1833 for me. She has a new home in Germany now. Thanks pard.

Incidentally, did you notice that FAUL used nicer grained wood for the grips during the 1960s, compared to the panels found on the pistols of 1970s manufacture?

RNMA #1833 after disassembly and cleaning: pretty grained grips
Right side view of #1833	Rampant centaur logo & all marks of #1833

#2024 below was found worn out and abused possibly as a prop gun. But US Centaure smith Rifle not only restored her function but also applied a PC finish. Great work.

RNMA #2024

#2535 below was discovered in the used gun display of a Swiss gun shop in Spring 2009. Strangely enough she has the 1963 barrel marking "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CHICAGO U.S.A.. This indicates that she was originally made for the US or New Zealand market. In addition the cylinder is stamped “353” and not “535”. But more importantly, she is marked MADE IN BELGIUM 3 times, namely

#1 in the regular place underneath the butt,

#2 in the rare position on the left side of the barrel lug but

#3 additionally in different and bigger font above the factory and Liège Proof house marks on the upper left side of the barrel.

RNMA #2535 reported from Switzerland

MADE IN BELGIUM stamped on but & twice on barrel

This latter MADE IN BELGIUM mark might have been applied by an eager-beaver import agent when the pistol found her way from the USA into Switzerland some time ago…

2nd Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 2nd Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	No
Logo	walking centaur
Barrel markings	"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK
Chambers	small size
Arbor	3rd version
Comments	this variation is only known from Germany

In July 2010 Centaure #9036 surfaced in Germany. There are no indications that this pistol has a history of ownership in the USA or down-under. After disassembly it was confirmed that the cylinder had matching digits 36, i. e. it is the original cylinder with the Centaure proprietary naval scene installed at the Belgian

Left side view of RNMA #9036 discovered in Germay: note walking centaur logo

factory. Therefore, a 2^nd sub-variation of the 2^nd variation RNMA exists. Above and below are her pictures to proof it.

Right side view of #9036: there is no toe on the butt!

This RNMA 2^nd variation 2^nd sub-variation #9036 is unlike RNMA #9139 in the survey. #9139 also features a cylinder with the proprietary naval engagement scene. The digits 46 are stamped on the breech side of her cylinder, however. This means an extra cylinder is installed with no matching numbers, as can be expected with extra cylinders. The original cylinder of this 1^st variation RNMA (!) was lost years ago.

The Belgians sold the 1^st sub-variation exclusively via Mars Equipment to Centennial Arms Corp. the USA during the early 1960s. Centennial Arms sold them to US and Canadian

dealers and shooters In addition they exported a few to New Zealand. The 2^nd sub-variation was assembled during the late 1960s only. We cannot exclude that specimens were sold on both sides of the Atlantic.

FAQ: “How come that the first decision regarding naval scenes on Centaure cylinders was reversed and 2^nd variation RNMAs have this proprietary naval scene but none in Ormsby style?”

IMHO Bill Edwards realized early after the launch of the 1^st variation RNMA that his fears related to fakery were unfounded, that only few Colt Collectors got up in arms. Actually, most of them were happy to have now a reasonably priced 1960 Army as a shooter which was made of much stronger steel than their priced 1^st generation pistol. His anxiety selling a Belgian Colt in the USA with a naval scene was unjustified. But he still felt not comfortable offering a Centaure with a naval scene engraved in Ormsby-style. In late 1960 this led to the introduction of the Civilian Model with its Centaure proprietary naval scene. Which is still kind of PC as we have seen above.

In my book, the reason for the introduction of this 2^nd variation RNMA as well as the above mentioned extra cylinders was simply $$$, to make use of the excess stock of cylinders with this proprietary naval scene from the Civilian Model project.

3rd Variation	RNMA - Key Features
Cylinder	Ormsby naval engagement scene
Cylinder legend	ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843
Finish	blue & case hardened (B/CCH)
Comments	sold in America North of the Rio Grande only

Centaures with cylinder engravings of the Centaure proprietary naval engagement scene found on the Civilian, a few early Cavalry Models, one variation of the Pocket Army Models and the 2^nd variation RNMA were produced at FAUL’s in Belgium. However, and as proven by the sales of these pistols, these were not satisfactory for the US market.

Around 1961 Centennial Arms Corp, Chicago (CACC) therefore, hired Thomas “Tom” Haas to produce a roll cylinder die with the Ormsby naval scene as used on Colt C&B revolvers. Haas was a noted “custom manufacturer-gun maker” of early Colt revolvers and friend with Bill Edwards and Sig Shore. Haas also made guns to “duplicate” original guns.

RNMA 3rd variation, 2nd sub-varition #5252: note Haas’s Colt/Ormsby style naval scene on cylinder

You can read more about that subject and the role the Centaures played in that scenario on the MOTHERLOAD page.

No Centaure logo on #2: experimental Ormsby style cylinder scene

Early on Haas experimented with design modifications like different markings between the naval scene, see #1423 further below. These experimental roll engraved cylinders were perfect. Once the final design was agreed upon with the marking CENTENNIAL between the scene ends the die was heat treated for hardness but it shrank 1/1000 in. So the engraving would not cut deep enough. A new die was made by Tom Haas oversized. This one shrank to proper size when it was heat treated. These activities explain why this variation of the RNMA was only available through CACC and US dealers but not in Europe.

Back then CACC ordered their Centaures in Belgium from Fabriques d’Armes Unies de Liège with their cylinder blank, i. e. regular 1^st variation RNMAs. Their naval scene was added at CACC’s shop in Lincolnwood, IL 60712, USA. Regular cylinder roll engraving operations of these 1^st variation turned 3^rd variation RNMAs commenced in earnest ca. 1963.

1st Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 3rd Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	yes
Cylinder marking	experimental CENTENNIAL or COLTS PATENT + serial number
Logo	none or rampant centaur
Barrel marking	"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"
Chambers	large
Arbor	1st version

Only a few such experimental specimens in the low serial number range with or without rampant centaur logo are known. Some pistols like #2 (pictured above) or #96 were reference guns in the CACC inventory. Today they are in the Shore Collection of early Centaures. Others were sold eventually like #1423 (right). Probably no more than 10 such specimens were made. Doesn’t #1423 (right) compare nicely to below original Colt 1860 Army? Martial Colt 1860 Army from Civil War period

RNMA #1423

2nd Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 3rd Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	yes
Cylinder marking	CENTENNIAL between the naval scene
Logo	rampant (early) & walking centaur (intermediate & late production)
Barrel markings	"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"
Chambers	large, mid-size & small
Arbor	all 4 versions in line with year of production

See #4612 below left & right:

RNMA #4612

#4612 Note notch on butt:

3rd Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 3rd Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	none
Cylinder marking	CENTENNIAL between the naval scene
Logo	walking centaur
Barrel markings	"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"
Chambers	mid-size & small
Arbor	3^rd & 4^th version

RNMA #8215

#5644 See #8215 (left) and 5644 (above). Note there is no toe on butt.

#8900 is another splendid example of this 3^rd variation RNMA without the “cut on the butt”. She was purchased at an estate auction in June 2009 in the USA. 2 features make her unique, check pics below:

RNMA #8900

Unique grip and cylinder of #8900

#1 The grip is fitted to the pistol just fine but its number is 100 and not 900 for the 3 last digits of the serial number, as one would expect.

#2 The CENTENNIAL mark between the naval scene on the cylinder is missing. This makes her a rare find.

Pricing: 1962 Centennial Arms Corporation would charge US $ 89.95 for this RNMA!

FAQ: “And now the correct Colt-type naval scene on the cylinder? Where is the logic?”

IMHO flexible response to market pressure: at first a few experimental guns which were made during the time when the Civilian and 2^nd variation RNMA were still being actively promoted but were appearantly lacking sales, see serial numbers of above mentioned 3^rd variation RNMA, 1^st sub-variations. But once Uberti had presented there 1860 replica with PC naval scene AND all marks and markings in April 1963 Centennial Arms Corporation as the principal US dealer of the Centaures swiftly reconsidered their earlier lukewarm position and had most of the 1^st variation RNMAs modified to 3^rd variation RNMA specs in their Lincolnwood. IL, USA shop by roll-engraving the Ormsby-style naval scene.

Shying away from the never occurring conflict with Colt Collectors they had the marking CENTENNIAL applied between the naval scene from 1963. But they never had the PC patent mark PAT. SEPT. 10^th 1850 nor the reference to Ormsby between the naval scene Engaged by W.L. Ormsby New York added like the Italians did. This is only to be found on “Colterized” Centaures from Thomas Haas.

Incidentally the PCness of the Ormsby reference on the Army cylinder can be argued.

4th Variation	RNMA - Key Features
Cylinder	fully fluted
Finish	blue & case hardened (B/CCH)
Notch on butt	yes
Logo	walking centaur
Barrel marking	CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”
Chambers	small
Arbor	3rd version
Comments	this variant is very rare. Currently such pistols were discovered in Germany only, see #12038 below:

RNMA #12038

Variants of these pistols with serial numbers below ca. 11000 should be inspected with great care because their fluted cylinders might be Italian replacements! Such specimens have been reported from Germany and the USA.

Only 5 specimens of this 4^th variation RNMA are documented from Germany so far.

5th Variation	RNMA - Key Features
Cylinder	rebated, plain
Finish	high gloss polish/"in the white", stainless look
Logo	walking centaur
Comments	very rare, discovered in Germany only

Only a handful specimens made 1967 and again 1972 have been discovered in Germany. Despite the small total number of specimens the Belgians made 2 sub-variations.

1st Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 5^th Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	none
Logo	none
Barrel marking	none
Comments	Only specimen known is #6759 below

RNMA #6759

Proof marks on barrel lug of #6759

I can offer 2 explanations for the existence of this variant:

# prototype of some kind, like for the new stainless look finish. See also #6377 below in the chapter on the 6^th variation RNMAs.

Abbildung 3No barrel marking…

…no toe on butt of #6759!

# special order pistol for an outside engraving job that went sour.

What do you think? Let me have your comments please, over at the forum.

2nd Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Features of this 5th Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	yes
Logo	walking centaur
Barrel marking	CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”
Chambers	small
Arbor	3rd & 4th version

Below #11867 was (re-) discovered in a German gun shop May 2009 only. She came from the Belgian factory 1972 NIB with a shipment of other Centaures. The owner stowed her away in a box in the back of his warehouse together with a 1^st generation Colt 1860 and 2 C&B Uberti revolvers of 1972 production, and forgot all about it…

RNMA #11867

With her blued screws and wedge #11867 is an example of the later Centaure production guns in the stainless look. Typically the last 3 digits of the serial number are embossed on the breech side of the cylinder. All other features of Centaures of this serial number range are present:

# on the left side of the barrel lug CAL. .44 left and 1^st perron right of the wedge.

# left side of the frame the walking centaur logo plus the 2^nd perron under the 1^st screw of the frame.

Pricing: German importer/mail-order dealer Bärbel Harlos of Schwäbisch Hall advertised the launch of this variation 1972 in one of their flyers with Centaure medallion at DM 337,50!

FAQ: “Why have so few 5^th variation RNMAs surfaced”

IMHO this variation was never planned for sale to the public. They were supposed for factory engraved de Luxe, Super de Luxe and Presentation style RNMAs at FAUL’s or shipped to outside engravers like Rothenburger Waffeneck in Germany for customs engraving. Only the ca. 90 leftover pistols not used for these inside or outside engraving jobs were sold to deplete inventories. Remember all this happened when the writing was on the wall that FAUL would terminate the Centaure production.

Which makes them today a rare and sought after variation.

6th Variation	RNMA - Key Features
Cylinder	fully fluted
Finish	high gloss polish/”in the white” stainless look
Logo	walking centaur
Comments	to protect these pistols from rust the surface is specially heat treated. Only discovered in Europe.

This 6^th variation of the RNMA was made in 2 sub-variations, namely as the 1^st sub-variation during 1967, and regularly as the 2^nd sub-variation 1972 and 1973!

1st Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 6th Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	none
Barrel marking	CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”
Chambers	mid-size
Arbor	3rd version
Comments	only pistol known is #6377 from 1967, possibly another prototype of the new "in the white finish" (see also #6759 in above chapter on the 5th variation RNMA). Below are pictures of this only known specimen:

Views of RNMA #6377

Coin in right grip is aftermarket

2nd Sub-Variation	Additional Specific Properties of this 6th Variation RNMA
Notch on butt	yes
Barrel markings	“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”
Chambers	small
Arbor	3rd & 4th version
Comments	regularly encountered specimens in Europe from 1972. #12966 pictured below is a typical example of this variant:

Views of RNMA #12966

In February 2009 such a 6^th variation of the regular NMA #14238 was offered at German auction house Egun. Which makes her is the highest serial number currently known of this variation.

RNMA #14238 with extra cylinder of the plain, rebated kind: Initials PE carved in square cartouche in lower part of the left grip panel & in reverse order in the upper left corner, COLTS PATENT between logo and bolt screw

The fluted cylinder is numbered to the gun with the last 3 digits of the serial number stamped on the breech side but the extra plain cylinder is not numbered at all. The proof mark of the Liège Proof house, ELG in oval is stamped in the usual place, however.

This pistol has a couple of unusual features worth mentioning here:

Close-up of COLTS PATENT

PE stamped on trigger guard

Up to now COLTS PATENT marks on Centaures are known on cylinders only but not on frames of regular production Centaures (see chapter on 3^rd variation RNMAs, 1^st sub-variation). This mark has been found on “colterized” Centaures in the USA only from the early 1960s, see the MOTHERLOAD page for details.

“1960” of “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“ altered to “1860”	Close-up of “1960/1860“
Plain, rebated extra cylinder (left) in stainless look like pistol without serials, fluted cylinder (right) with last 3 digits of S/N	Genuine looking Belgian proof mark on both cylinders

In addition, the fonts used and their application here differs from what we know from FAUL but also from Colt or the “colterized” Centaures of Tom Haas. Therefore, it is my considered opinion that this is an aftermarket enhancement by some previous owner, and not an original factory mark. The same applies to the altered barrel marking and certainly to the initials on grip and trigger-guard. Interesting customization, anyhow.

Regarding the extra cylinder, however, this is not an Italian replacement but the real thing. The ELG in oval of the Liège Proof House is present in the place where it should be. It is of the same size and format as on the fluted cylinder.

Extra cylinders known so far are of the blued kind with FAUL or Lincolnwood applied naval scene. But as we learnt the hard way repeatedly: nothing can surprise us anymore because we are dealing with Centaures here!

Pricing: back in 1973 German dealer Harlos had an interesting offer – “get this variant with an extra 5,5” barrel at DM 448,00!”.

One such combo inspected had the serial number #13106. The 2 barrels had matching numbers!

From Bärbel Harlos, Germany catalog 1973

The 2^nd sub-variation of this RNMA 6^th variation could be had in Germany with 2 silverish Centaure logo medallions inlaid into the grip.

FAQ: “Rational for the introduction of 1^st, 3^rd,, 5^th and 6^th variation RNMAs without toe on butt?”

IMHO there must have been significant inventories of 3 part forged & welded back-straps without toes on the butt at FAUL’s since the anticipated sales volume of the Civilian Model and the special production Pocket Army had not materialized as expected. To correct this financial burden these parts were randomly used in the assembly of the 3^rd sub-variations of 1^st & 3^rd variation, and later also 1^st sub-variations of 5^th & 6^th variation RNMAs, until these stocks were exhausted ca. 1970. Which represents further interesting sub-variations for the collectors today.

7th Variation	RNMA - Key Features
Cylinder	fully fluted
Finish	high gloss polish/”in the white”, stainless steel alloy
Notch on butt	yes
Logo	walking centaur
Barrel marking	CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"
Chambers	small
Arbor	3rd version
Comments	Fabriques d’Armes Unies de Liège wrote gun history with the making and introduction of this first ever stainless C&B revolver in 1972!

I had the chance to physically inspect below consecutively numbered triplets #12305, 12306 and 12307. The unexpected find?

RNMA #12305

Digits on the cylinder read 105!

The last 3 digits of the serial number on the breech side of their cylinders are not 305, 306 and 307 as one would expect but 105, 106 and 107 respectively. Is the “1” instead of the “3” some early, later discarded internal code at FAUL’s for “stainless steel”?

RNMA #12306

Digits on cylinder are 106

Incidentally, these three pistols are the lowest serial numbers discovered of Centaures in stainless steel. Are these 3 pistols of the first batch of Centaures made in stainless steel?

RNMA #12307

Digits on cylinder read 107!

7^th variation RNMAs of higher serial numbers like #12736 have the “regular” digits on their cylinders. Go figure…

7^th variation RNMAs have surfaced in Europe only, plus 1 in South Africa and 1 in the USA! The one in

South Africa was purchased new 1972 from German Western gun shop Bärbel Harlos by a German who immigrated to the Cape Republic some 20 years ago.

WDN/July 27, 2010

© 2007-2010 Wolf D. Niederastroth

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