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SECOND MODEL or CIVILIAN MODEL:- Of the 8” barrel NMAs there exists only one
model with 3-screw frame configuration without cuts for shoulder stock in recoil shield and back-strap. It is named Civilian Model. This is an important
but rare and early variation with ”C“ prefix (“C” for Civilian Model)
before the serial number. These models were manufactured from the end of 1960 in a separate
block of serial numbers beginning with C1. Lowest serial in this survey is
C46, highest documented is C931. It is assumed that ca. about 1000 were made
in 2 variations. Only blued and case colored finish
was available with silver plated trigger-guard and back-strap. The cylinder bears the proprietary Centaure
naval scene. |
US buyers were used
to C&B pistols of the Colt design with a naval engagement scene on the
cylinder engraved in Ormsby-style. Market acceptance
for these Civilian Models was limited, sales were lower than anticipated. As a
consequence significant inventories existed at FAUL’s
during the early 1960s of specific Civilian parts, namely cylinders, frames and
back-straps. This situation sheds new light on the introduction of a number of
variants launched during this period, like the
# 2nd
variation RNMA: “Civilian” cylinder
# small run of 2nd Cavalry Models: “Civilian”
cylinder
# launch of the Pocket Army as special order pistol:
“Civilian” cylinder, frame, back-strap
Later on 1st
and 3rd variation RNMAs were available
with “Civilian” back-straps not cut for stock, i. e.
3rd sub-variations as we term them today.
2.1 – 1st
Variation: about
the first 490 of the guns came without centaur logo. They have cylinders with
the legend ENGAGED 16 MAY
1843 and the
marking NEW MODEL 44 between the scene end.
Below are views of S/N C418:
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#C418,
no centaur logo on frame, silver plated back-strap and trigger-guard,
varnished grips |
|||
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#C418
legend on cylinder |
#C418 serial number on front side of cylinder |
#C418 backs-strap silver plated, no cut for shoulder
stock, grips varnished |
|
2.2 – 2nd
Variation: the
story goes that the legend ENGAGED
16 MAY 1843 on the
cylinder was omitted after the first run of pistols (C489 does not have the
marking) at the suggestion of the Ohio Gun Collectors Association to inhibit
possible use of these cylinders in fakery. These pistols have the corporate
logo with the rampant centaur embossed into the left forward portion of the
frame, see S/N C752:
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#C752 |
No
legend on cylinder; marking between the naval scene NEW MODEL 44,
rampant centaur logo on frame |
The 2
barrel markings known read
“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY“
“1960 NEW
MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CHICAGO U.S.A.
|
Civilian #C691 (right picture) from 1961
is a typical example of a 2nd variation. Somehow she found her way
from Belgian NATO HQs to Germany but surfaced late 2009 at a dealer’s with
loading lever and trigger-guard gone missing. FROCS #18 liberated her for modification
into a FROCS Special… |
|
…but reconsidered
and rather restored her during the Winter 2010: fitted an Uberti
trigger-guard and found an original Centaure loading
lever assembly in his junk box.
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Uberti
back-strap installation… |
…required some metal-to-wood fitting |
Now after silver plating this is what I
call a nice looking pistol, don’t you agree?
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No serial number stamped
on TG like on a few early Centaures… |
…ain’t she pretty? |
Pricing: whereas Centennial Arms
Corporation of Chicago advertised this model 1960 for $ 89.95 her price was
increased to $ 99.50 in 1964!
WDN/February 1, 2010
© 2007 Wolf D. Niederastroth