Serial Numbers

Serial Numbers

Placement and Rational

Like the original Colt Armies complete or partial serial numbers are to be found on all major parts of the Belgian. Visibly on barrel, frame, trigger-guard but covered on the front (very early pistols only), side (early pistols only) or breech-side of the cylinder, hammer, back-strap and wooden grip. It is our today’s understanding that FAUL numbered pistols consecutively from “1” to approximately S/N 14500, no matter the model and/or variation. Only the C- and F-series (1^st variation!) pistols are numbered in separate blocks.

Regarding the regular NMA two gaps of S/Ns exist between approximately S/N 14500 and S/N 18404 (USA), and again between S/N 18404 and S/N 51971 (Germany). At this point no reason for these gaps is known but suggestions are kindly invited in the FROCS forum. S/N

51971 is noteworthy for another reason: there is a distinct gap between the digits “5” and the “1971” of the S/N. No other Belgian has been found where the S/N is embossed into barrel, frame, trigger-guard and hammer in such a way. Back-strap and grip carry S/N 13709. This pistol was described in the German gun magazine DWJ in 1973 and was rediscovered only recently, see picture on left.

Another gap of serial numbers has been found in the Cavalry Models: the first production runs were between 1960 and ended probably 1963, S/Ns between F1 and around F900 (1^st variation: 7,5” barrel), i. e. I believe that only some 900 pistols with matching stocks were made during this early period. Another mini batch was produced during 1972 with 8” barrel, however. It is assumed that no more than 100 pistols without (2^nd variation) and with shoulder stock (3^rd variation) were made. The only pistols observed so far are F11117 (2^nd variation) and F11166 and F11226 (3^rd variation).

Talking a bit more about gaps no Centennial Army from 1967 production has been found. We have S/N 6176 confirmed from late 1966 and the next pistol is S/N 6377 assumed and 6585 confirmed from 1968.

Neither factory nor Liege Proof house records exist any more. To relate serial numbers to year of production this issue had to be addressed “indirectly”. Therefore, approximate dates of original purchase can be estimated by Proof house inspectors’ time of duty. Some early original sales slips have been found. According to old correspondence available from dealers it seems that the pistols were always in short supply, i. e. very short turn-around time on the dealer’s shelf. This gives a good guesstimate for the early period through February 1968. For the period from 1971/72 there are many old sales slips from the original buyers still available.

While the Liege Proof house used date letters as year codes since 1922 none has been discovered on any of the Belgians inspected. So, please, holler when you find a date letter on your 1960 NMA.

Based on the inspector marks we have to assume that some 100 pistols were manufactured and proof tested already in 1959! Lowest number in the survey is S/N 38, highest 51971. Since the Liege Proof house did not mark any gun with inspector marks between 1968 and 1973 this would indicate that FAUL discontinued production of the Centaures during early 1973.

After the first 500 regular NMAs with the rebated and plain cylinder were made 1959 and 1960 the Civilian Model (C-series) was added later in 1960, numbered from C1 up. In late spring of 1961 the first fluted and stocked Army, the Cavalry Model (F-series, 1^st variation), was launched, numbered from F1 up. Production started, however, already in 1960 according to the inspector marks found.

Regular pistols including the 2 prefix variations have all parts with matching numbers. No assembly numbers were used.

C- and F-series (1^st variation) pistols have the serials with prefix on barrel, frame, and trigger-guard. The prefix may or may not be present on cylinder, hammer and back-strap. Grips inspected do not feature the prefix. Prefixes of the 2^nd and 3^rd variation F-series are only on the barrel. The other S/Ns on the pistol are without prefix.

Two exceptions from this rule have been encountered. In the variation with the Colt-type naval scene on the cylinder, from approx S/Ns 2900 the serial on the breech-side of the cylinder does not match the numbers of the pistol on most of the guns discovered. In addition on most such specimens the inspector mark on the cylinder is different from the ones on barrel and frame. However, S/Ns 3128, 3281 and 3808 of this variation have 100 % matching numbers! As most pistols in the USA come in this configuration an explanation might be that these cylinders were produced as consecutively numbered stock items from some point in 1964. When a revolver with the Colt cylinder was to be assembled for the US that part was simply lifted from existing inventory.

If pistols with extra cylinders with the Centaure proprietary cylinder were ordered this cylinder does not have matching numbers either.

Total Production

Based on the guns reported into the survey it is estimated that the total production of Belgian Colts between 1959 and 1973 amounts to around 16,000 pistols only.

Total New Model Armies 16,000

regular New Model Armies 13,300

Marshal Models 700

· 1st variation 640

· factory engraved 40

· 2^nd variation 20

Civilian Models 1,000

· 2^nd variation 510

· 1^st variation 490

Cavalry Models 1,000

· 1^st variation 900

· 3^rd variation 75

· 2^nd variation 25

A further extrapolation of the data of the regular NMAs reveals the estimated number by variations and sub-variations, presented as a “hitlist”

Total regular New Model Armies 13,300

1^st variation 6,500

· 2^nd sub-variation 3,450

· 3^rd sub-variation 2,050

· 1^st sub-variation 1,000

· 3^rd variation 5,500

· 2^nd sub-variation 2,950

· 3^rd sub-variation 2,050

· 1^st sub-variation 500

2^nd variation 700

6^th variation 250

· 2^nd sub-variation 200

· 1^st sub-variation 50

7^th variation 100

4^th variation 80

· 1^st sub-variation 60

· 2^nd sub-variation 20

de Luxe factory engraved 70

5^th variation 50

Super de Luxe factory engraved 25

others (exhibition, sampler, cut-away) 15

Presentation factory engraved < 10

International Distribution: It would appear that 50 to 60 % of the Belgians manufactured were sold into the USA, probably less than 100 to other parts of the world like down-under, the rest to Europe and particularly to Germany. Furthermore, it seems that most of the US shipments were made in the period 1959 through 1970, whereas Europe and Germany only jumped on this bandwagon from the mid 1960s.

Some Thoughts about the Many Models & Variations: Between 1959 and 1973 FAUL appears to have been pretty creative and busy introducing new models and variations of the NMA. What could have been the rational? Below are some milestones:

1959

· first model guns manufactured: 1 presented to Haul Hanquet, 1 to Fred Roff, President Colt’s

· commencing production regular NMA 1^st variation, 1^st sub-variation

1960

· launch regular NMA 1^st variation, 1^st sub-variation

· launch Civilian Models 1^st variation (production discontinued with 2^nd variation 1961)

· commence production of Cavalry Model 1^st variation

1961

· gradual introduction of models with rampant centaur logo

· launch Cavalry Model 1st variation (production of variation discontinued 1963)

· launch regular NMA 1^st variation, 2^nd sub-variation

1962

· launch regular NMA 2^nd variation

· launch regular NMA 3^rd variation, 1^st sub-variation

1963

· launch regular NMA 3^rd variation, 2^nd sub-variation

· first pistols with 2^nd version arbor observed

1964

· first “mixed serial” regular NMA 3^rd variation, 2^nd sub-variation observed

1965

· launch regular NMA 3^rd variation, 3^rd sub-variation (discontinued 1970)

· change corporate logo to walking centaur

1966

· launch regular NMA 1^st variation, 3^rd sub-variation (discontinued 1970)

· first pistols documented with 3^rd version arbor, regular through 1973

· few 4^th version arbors found (repairs?)

1968

· launch pistols with high gloss finish (stainless look) regular NMA 5^th and 6^th variation

1970

· gradual introduction of cast back-straps

1972

· launch Marshal Model 1^st & 2^nd variation

· launch regular NMA 4^th variation

· launch regular NMA 7^th variation

· launch Cavalry Model 2^nd and 3^rd variations

· launch 3 grades factory engraved regular NMAs: de Luxe, Super de Luxe, Presentation without logo

· launch factory engraved Marshal Models

· 4^th version arbor commonly found through 1973

· barrels with 8 grooves found in selected models and variations

1973

· discontinue all production of NMAs and Marshals

1959 through 1963 seems to be a period of stable line extension at FAUL’s: only 3 models marketed, with the regular NMA in 3 variations/sub-variations, the Civilian Model in 2 and the Cavalry Model in 1 variation. Behind the scene in Liège internal design improvements were a continuing process some at the expence of period correctness, like the evolution of the square ended to the tapered ended arbor in 3 steps (with and without separate grease groove). With some overlaps to use existing stocks this program was completed around 1965. Sales must have been pleasing with no direct competition until 1963 (launch of Uberti’s 1860 Army) but market demand is must have outgrown FAUL’s production capacity at around 1965/66 thanks to the booming US market.

The first pistols in the new stainlees look (“in the white” finish) were launched 1968, namely the 5^th and 6^th variation of the regular NMA was launched in 1968. If sales were flat or declining in the USA they were offset by the Europeans and pards from down-under who rediscovered shooting C&B revolvers. Certainly the popularity of the Spaghetti Westerns was very influential here. This nice trend continued until the early 1970s when low-cost Italian and Spanish replicas flooded the market in general and C&B percussion revolver markets particularly, leading to an erosion of market prices in a still growing market. From today’s perspective it would appear that FAUL tried to combat this by using 2 strategies to

a.) protect their market position as the premium supplier in the 1860 Army segment but also to

b.) take advantage of the market growth

1. Keep old and reach new shooters AND collectors with the NMA, increase production output: this would explain the addition of the Marshal Models to extend the line to four models, but particularly the explosion in variations and sub-variations of the regular NMA plus the launch of the three factory engraved versions. They just went nuts. Noteworthy, however, is the fact that FAUL wrote gun history with the introduction of the first stainless steel percussion revolver as a variation of the regular NMA.

2. Implement cost cutting measures: to increase production unskilled labor was hired (which quickly led to quality complaints and subsequent loss in credibility as the high quality manufacturer…see details in Production page). Furthermore, we discovered the return of the square ended arbor without separate grease groove. Back-straps that used to be welded from 3 separate parts were now casts. The inventory cutting, however, is another explanation for the many small-scale variations and sub-variations of the NMA.

The many short runs and variations of this period created a great interest for collectors of these guns.

MYTHBUSTER

· Total number of Belgian Colts approx 60,000 units? With only around 16,000 confirmed this MYTH is BUSTED!

· Identical models and variations are numbered using different schemes in the USA and Europe? With same system applied MYTH is BUSTED!

· No correlation of serial numbers to year of production? Although no company and Liege Proof house records are available anymore indirect correlations through sales slips etc confirm correlation. MYTH is BUSTED!

WDN/October 20, 2008

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