Serial Numbers # General Placement & Rational # Extra & Mismatching Cylinders # Gaps in the Serial Numbers # Total Production # Colt’s New Generation Armies # International Distribution # Thoughts about the Many Models & Variations # Strategy 1 - Keep Old & Reach New Shooters AND Collectors # Strategy 2 – Increase Production Output & Implement Cost Cutting # Mythbuster

General Placement & Rational: Like the Colt Armies of the 1^st generation complete or partial serial numbers are to be found on all major parts of the Belgian. They were visible on barrel lug, frame and trigger-guard…

Typical placement of serials on #12307 on barrel lug, frame and trigger-guard…

…but trigger-guard of #7957 not numbered

…or stamped on the front (very early pistols only), side and breech-side (early pistols only) or breech-side only of the cylinder. Only a few pistols had no digits on their cylinders or extra cylinder at all.

Digits of #1269 on the front side of the cylinder

Serial number of #1423 between the cylinder scene

Like #4612 most pistols have (last) digits of serial on the breech side of the cylinder

No serial on the cylinder of #11783

Hammers and back-straps were stamped with all digits of the serial number whereas the grip was usually marked with the last 2 or 3 digits only. Few grips are stamped with the last digit only of the serial number.

Serial on hammer of #9248…

…and back-strap of #12043

Last 3 digits stamped in the grip of #12966

It is our today’s understanding that FAUL numbered their Centaure Regular New Model Armies (RNMAs), 1^st variation Marshals (3-screw version) and factory engraved pistols consecutively and together from #1 to approximately #14500 in one block of serial numbers, no matter the model and/or variation or sub-variation. Late production models with F-prefix (2 ^nd variation Cavalry Models, 2^nd variation Marshals) are also numbered in this block, just the F-prefix is added to the serial number underneath the barrel lug but without the prefix on the other numbered parts.

The models with C-prefix, i. e. 1^st & 2^nd variation Civilian Models and early production F-prefix, i. e. 1^st variation Cavalry Models pistols are numbered in separate blocks.

Extra & Mismatching Cylinders: in the USA you could order your 1^st variation RNMA’s (rebated, plain cylinder) with extra cylinders. Your choice was either an extra cylinder with the Centaure proprietary naval scene or the one with the Colt-type naval scene. The Colt- or Ormbsby-type naval scene was by far the most popular one there. In Europe your 1^st variation RNMA could be had with an extra cylinder of the Centaure proprietary naval scene only.

The serial numbers of these extra cylinders did not match the one of the pistol. If your 2^nd or 3^rd variation RNMA has a cylinder mismatching the pistol this is likely the extra cylinder installed some years ago and the original rebated, plain cylinder has gone missing. In other words what looks a 2^nd or 3^rd variation is actually a 1^st variation. Provided, of course the serial number is below #14270!

Furthermore, we have one 6^th variation RNMA (stainless look, fluted cylinder), 2^nd sub-variation from 1973 in the survey with all matching numbers. This pistol was delivered with an extra cylinders of the plain, rebated kind in the proper high gloss polish without any serials.

A caveat is in order here: mismatching cylinders can occur for other reasons as well. Because the making of the Centaures required many manual operations, in-process documentation procedures were underdeveloped during that time at the Liège factory. This just called for occasional trouble in the serial number department:

# due to transposed digits when stamping digits of the serial number on the cylinder

# pistols assembled at the factory with a wrong i. e. mismatching cylinder back then when they were cleaned together with a batch of other Centaures after being returned from the Liège proof house...

# the roll-engraving of the cylinder naval scene was applied at 2 separate and independently operating locations: the Centaure proprietary naval engagement scene war roll-engraved at the FAUL factory in Belgium, the Colt/Ormsby type, however, in Lincolnwood, IL, USA, home of Centennial Arms Corporation. Quite a few such mismatching cylinders slipped through the QC in Liège and Lincolnwood … and nobody really cared.

Why? In my book 3 main reasons.

1. Back then the Liège Proof house was concerned about the matching of the visible serial numbers only, namely the ones on the barrel lug, frame and trigger-guard…which were usually matching.

2. The majority of buyers were not serial number crazy as we are today. They purchased that C&B revolver as a shooter and not as a collector’s piece where matching numbers enhance the value.

3. In Europe during the 1960s and early 1970s C&B revolvers were available without license in most countries (like they still are today in the US of A.). Legally they were not really considered as guns.

Consequently

a. there was little pressure on gun makers regarding (proper) marking and serial numbering of black powder guns.

b. FAUL’s QC and the Liège Proof house alike (see 1. above) would go away with the visual inspection and recording of the 3 matching serial numbers on the barrel lug, frame and trigger-guard…and everybody was happy.

Gaps in the Serial Numbers: regarding RNMAs and Marshals (1^st variation) two gaps of serial numbers exist between ca. #14500 and #18408 (USA), and again between #18408 and #5 1971 and/or #043573 (Germany). Please, browse down for a proposed explanations.

#18408’s barrel marking is unusual because it reads “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK. If this were a late production 1973 made gun which the high serial number indicates her barrel marking should just be “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”. The digits on the breech side of the cylinder read 458 but not 408 which would make this a pistol with all numbers matching.

#5 1971 (below) has three unique features as well:

#1 this is the Centaure with the highest 5 digit serial number currently known

#2 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.

S/N 5 1971

The late H. J. Stammel of German cowboy novel writer fame, Western gun shooter and renowned cowboy gun collector owned the two Centaures #10024 and above pistol #5 1971. He described the latter in German gun magazine DWJ in 1971. He did not write , however, about the unusual fashion in which the S/Ns were stamped.

#3 when she was rediscovered 2008, the new owner let me disassemble and inspect her: the cylinder was stamped correctly 971, i. e. the 3 last digits of the S/N. Back-strap and grip were found marked with #13709 and 709 respectively, however. She was also stripped of her original blue/CCH finish that she still had in the 1971 article.

Back-strap of S/N 5 1971

There are 2 issues here: # in my opinion Stammel’s description of his #5 1971 in this 1971 DWJ publication led later writers to state as a fact that ca. 60,000 Centaure C&B pistols were manufactured … which I cannot substantiate, see tables below. # since this cowboy is one of the last romantics who read too many spy novels what about this theory: “13709” is the real serial number whereas “5 1971” represents some kind of encrypted (date) code to

commemorate a date important to then owner Stammel. Like May (5) 1971…assuming Stammel special ordered her from FAUL that way? No Centaure with the serial number #13709 is currently known. If #13709 is actually the serial number the correct barrel marking for that period 1972/73 should be “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY” (like for the afore mentioned #18408). But due to his paper # 5 1971 was made ca. 1971! On #5 1971 the barrel marking reads CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”, like the other pistols of the 1970/71 production period.

This story got a new twist November 26, 2009 when Centaure #043573 was discovered at the big German gun show in Kassel at one of the dealer booths. She was subsequently liberated and this 1^st variation, 2^nd sub-variation RNMA had the barrel marking CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”. #043573 is currently the only 6 digit Centaure known, has again the “wrong” barrel marking for the period but more importantly disassembly revealed that only barrel lug, frame and trigger-guard were stamped #043573

RNMA #043573; barrel lug, frame & trigger-guard stamped #043573...

…but hammer & back-strap marked #11909, cylinder #909, grip 9 (not pictured)

whereas cylinder, hammer, trigger-guard and grip were marked #11909 or digits thereof. The brass in front of the trigger-guard and screw is significantly thinner on this specimen like another serial number has been removed before #043573 was stamped into the metal. No Centaure numbered #11909 is currently known. If #11909 were the actual S/N she was made earlier during 1972. The barrel marking for Centaures confirmed of that period is CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK “1960 NEW MODEL ARMY”. Which is what we have here.

When I discussed the subject with Colt collector and well-known Western gun dealer Kurt Bouras of Mainz (www.classic-firearms.com) he was not surprised at all and challenged me: “What did Colt do towards the end of the production of their 1860 Army? Did they scrap the surplus parts? No, they grabbed whatever usable parts there were on the floor and in the warehouse and assembled them into new (mismatching) Armies or used the parts for conversions”. After having digested his blunt statement here is my considered opinion about what happened at FAUL’s between 1971 and 1973 when the writing was on the wall that the Centaure production was about to come to an end. The Belgians swept the house, double-checked quality and proof house rejects and/or returned pistols (which were all serial numbered!), and cannibalized them for usable parts. New parts from the production line namely barrels, frames, trigger-guards were irreproducibly serial numbered (currently no “rational” can be offered regarding the numbering system and the logic applied), and mated with these salvaged parts to turn out new pistols for sale.

Fitting and finish found in these mismatching pistols is of the high standard you would expect from FAUL’s. Does this theory make sense to you?

I like to refer to these pistols as Mixed Serial Factory Reworks (MSFR). To get the definition straight MSFRs comprise newly made or renumbered barrel, frame and/or trigger-guard (visible serial numbers) mated with back-strap/grip assembly +/- cylinder and hammer of returned and/or reworked pistols. Of course, these newly assembled pistols were then fitted and finished like regular production guns.

Since the highest serial number of a regularly numbered Centaure with all matching parts currently known is #14270 it is suggested that you carefully check the matching of the parts whenever you happen to stumble over a Centaure with a serial number higher than #14270…because you might just have found another rare MSFR. Based on my March 2010 re-calculation and new extrapolation of the 400 + Centaures in the survey I estimate that the total number of MSFRs is ca. 40 (30 1^st variation and 10 3^rd variation RNMAs).

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 #F1000 (1^st variations with 2 sub-variations, 7,5” barrel), i. e. I believe that only ca. 1000 pistols were made during this early period. Most were sold with matching stock. Another mini batch was produced ca. 1971 with 8” barrel (2^nd variation), however. It is assumed that no more than a total 140 of these later Cavalry Models without (1^st sub-variation) and with shoulder stock (2^nd sub-variation) were made. The only pistols observed so far of the 1^st sub-variation are #F11117 and #F11295 and #F11072, #F11166 and #F11226 of the 2^nd sub-variation, plus shoulder stock F11118. Contrary to the 1^st variation Cavalry Models these later production pistols have one single F-prefix only stamped above the digits of the serial number under the barrel lug whereas all other numbered part are stamped without prefix!

The 2^nd variation Marshals (4-srew version) was produced in the serial number range of the 2^nd variation Cavalry Model. Like these late Cavalry pistols these very rare variants of the Marshals feature that single F-prefix in that same position under the barrel lug (see pictures below).

F-prefix of #F85 1st variation…

…and of #F11117 3^rd variation Cavalry Model

F-prefix of #F11510 2^nd variation Marshal Model

Neither factory nor period Liège 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, too. According to old correspondence available from dealers it seems that the pistols were always in short supply on both sides of the Atlantic, implying very short turn-around time on the dealer’s shelf. This gives a pretty good guesstimate for the early period through February 1968. For the later period there are many old sales slips from the original buyers still available.

While the Liège 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 in addition to prototypes and model guns some 100 regular production pistols were manufactured and proof tested already in 1959! Lowest number in the survey is #2, highest are #5 1971 and #043573 respectively (see comments above). Since the Liège Proof house did not mark any gun with inspector marks between March 1968 and 1973 this would indicate that FAUL discontinued production of the Centaures during early 1973.

After the first 500 RNMAs with the rebated and plain cylinder were made starting 1959 (1^st variation RNMA) the Civilian Model was added later in 1960, numbered from #C1 up. In late Spring of 1961 the first fluted and stocked Army, the Cavalry Model (1^st variation), was launched, numbered from #F1 up. Production started, however, already in 1960 according to the inspector marks found. The few variants made of the 2^nd sub-variation Cavalry Model were first featured in ads 1962.

Regular pistols including the prefix models have all numbered parts with matching numbers or (last) digits thereof. No assembly numbers were used.

C- and F-prefix models (1^st variation Cavalry Models only) pistols have the serials with prefix on barrel lug, 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.

Later Cavalry Models (2^nd variation) and the 2^nd variations of the Marshal Models have one single F-prefix above the digits of the serial number under the barrel lug only. All other serial numbers are without the prefix.

Total Production: based on the guns reported into the survey by March 2010 it is estimated that the total production of Belgian Colts between 1959 and 1973 amounts to ca. 16,250 pistols, give or take a few (table below left).

RNMA 1^st variation #925 (USA) Totals are projected from the data of > 400 specimens (2,5 % of assumed factory output) documented in March 2010.

Of all New Model Armies produced the Regular New Model Army (RNMA) represent the biggest portion with some 13,325 pistols. An updated extrapolation of the survey data reveals the estimated number of their different variations and sub-variations, see below table.

Colt’s New Generation Armies: To add some new perspective to this discussion please, consider that ca. 17,850 2^nd generation Colt Armies were made and/or assembled between 1977 and 1991 plus another 11,850 3^rd generation or Signature Series Armies between 1994 and 2002. However, for a fair comparison of apples to apples we deduct the commemorative issues, special and “limited” editions from the Colt mix since they appeal to a small subset of collectors and to virtually no shooters.

So, we end up with ca. 11,500 2^nd and another 10,500 3^rd generation standard production Colt Armies or a total of some 22,000 units. This compares to ca. 16,000 Centaures (excluding factory engraved, “colterized” models and other “special” variants). From a production point of view by > 37 % the Belgians are rarer than newly made Colt Armies. If you consider the survival rate in this equation, however, the number of newly made Colt Armies significantly exceeds the Centaures. This little math might stimulate some thoughts like which pistol is perceived as a shooter and which as a display pistol?

What do you think? Please, share your views over at the forum and kick-off some discussions

International Distribution: it appears that almost 50 % of the Belgians manufactured were sold into the

RNMA 2nd variation (USA-Germany) USA, some 50 pistols to other parts of the world like down-under, the rest to Europe and Germany in particular. It is probably fair to say that most of the US shipments were made in the period 1959 through 1970. European dealers and shooters jumped on this Centaure bandwagon from the 1963 only.

Early “first owner” sales were reported from Belgium, France and Germany.

Thoughts about the Many Models & Variations: between 1959 and 1973 FAUL appears to have been busy

) RNMA 3rd variation #3408 (USA)

busy making prototypes and producing new models, variations and sub-variations of the New Model Army. What could have been the rational? Browse further down to the two tables summarizing important milestones of the developments: 1959 through1963 seems to be a period of straight line extension, driven by the creativity of Bill Edwards and Sig Shore in the USA. They identified most of the market needs and niches for modifications of the basic Centaure design. During these early years already 4 of the total of 5 basic models recognized

today were launched:

# RNMA in 3 variations plus a few sub-variations

# Civilian Model in 2 variations

# Cavalry Model in 1 variation but 2 distinctly different sub-variations

# Pocket Army in 3 variations

To this impressive list we have to added a number of Centaures “colterized” by US restorer & gunsmith Thomas Haas for the personal collection of Edwards and Shore.

Civilian Model 2nd variation #C489 (USA)

Behind the scene in Liège internal design improvements were an ongoing process, some at the expense of period correctness: # Modifications of the muzzle crown from a flat to a rounded one # Alterations of the front sight from the initial PC low profile to the later taller blade to optimize POA and POI. This alteration

made the target shooters happy. And the beat goes on:

# Post type of the Pocket Army 1962 & bead type front sight of the first batch of Marshals made 1971

# The evolution from the period correct square ended to the tapered arbor in 3 steps (with and without separate grease groove) is another important development. With some overlaps to use existing stocks this program was completed around 1965.

Cavalry Model 1st variation #F651 with detachable shoulder stock (USA)

# Ca. 1964 the first “down-sizing” of chambers took place, the change from large to mid-size chambers. Sales must have been pleasing for the owners of Fabriques d’Armes Unies de Liège with no direct competition until 1963 when

Uberti’s launched their version of the 1860 Army. But thanks to the still booming US market and some international sales like to New Zealand market demand must have outgrown by far the FAUL’s production capacity at around 1965/66.

Pocket Army 2^nd variation from 1962 (USA)

RNMA 4th variation #12043 (Germany)

During the 2^nd half of the 1960s Sig Shore in the USA gradually moved his business focus away from further developing the replica business and the Centaures of Centennial Arms Corp. Bill Edwards was more and more busy outside the Shore Group with his editorial tasks for gun magazines he had never given up. He also got involved with other research projects.

Good for the Belgium factory the Europeans had rediscovered black powder shooting in the meantime. Thanks to Clint Eastwood and the Lee van Cleefs of this world, together with the popularity of the Spaghetti Westerns there unfolded another sales boost for Centaures on the Eastern banks of the big pond. This offset flat or declining business with the USA. Carefully at first but certainly determined, Paul and Albert Hanquet stepped into the drivers’ seat vacated by Edwards and Shore to further developing the Centaure line. They had the backing of a motivated network of young and eager European Cowboy gun dealers like Bärbel Harlos in Germany.

From a technical point of view 1967 is an important year. This year marks the launch of the first pistols with the new stainless look, “in the white” finish or high gloss polish as called by some. The 5^th and 6^th variation of the RNMA were the first Centaures marketed in this pretty look. Noteworthy is the 6^th variation because this is the first RNMA with a fluted cylinder!

This launch period must have coincided with the second “down-sizing” of the chambers from mid-size to the small version. Financially this nice and steady growth trend continued until the late 1960s/early 1970s when low-cost Italian and Spanish black powder replicas were flooding the US and

RNMA 5th variation #11882 (Germany)

European markets in general but particularly the C&B percussion revolver segment. This led to an erosion of market prices in a still growing market. To protect their market position as the premium supplier in the 1860 Army segment and to take further advantage of the market growth it appears that FAUL tried to combat this new and hostile development by applying below 2 strategies at the same time.

Strategy 1 - Keep Old & Reach New Shooters AND Collectors with the New Model Army: this explains the 1971 line extension to 5 models with the launch of another short barrelled Centaure named Marshal Model in Europe: contrary to the special order Pocket Army of the 1960s the this new Marshal was a regular production item and had a loading lever. The 5,5” barrel Marshal was available with 3 screw (1^st variation) and 4 screw frame (2^nd variation) frame and only in the trendy “stainless look” high gloss finish. Also in 1971 followed the re-launch of the Cavalry Model (2^nd

variation) with the 8” barrel of the RNMA without (1^st sub-variation) and with shoulder stock (2^nd sub-variation).

In 1972 FAUL really went nuts with an explosion in variations and sub-variations of the RNMA plus the launch of the three factory engraved versions in RNMA and Marshal configuration.

It is an often overlooked fact that FAUL wrote gun history again with their 1972 introduction of the first truly stainless steel percussion revolver as the 7^th variation of their RNMA line, years before Armi san Marco (ASM), Armi san Paolo (ASP) aka Euroarms, Colt, Ruger and Uberti realized the market opportunity or had acquired the technical know how to join the joy ride. Strategy 2 - Increase Production Output & Implement Cost Cutting Measures: to accomplish these two objectives additional unskilled labor was hired … which quickly led to quality complaints and subsequent loss in credibility as the high quality

RNMA 6th variation #12966 (Germany)

gun maker demanding premium prizes in the market place…see details in Production page. Furthermore, we discovered the return of the square ended arbor without separate grease groove this time.

De Luxe factory engraved RNMAs #13139+13140 (France)

Presentation style factory engraved RNMA #11842 (Germany)

Back-straps that used to be welded from 3 separate parts were now casts. The inventory cutting which went alongside with this program, however, is another explanation for the many small-scale variations and sub-variations of the New Model Army.

RNMA 7th variation #12736 (Germany-RSA)

Marshal Model 1st variation #12150 (Germany)

When you bring the relative rareness of the different Regular New Model Armies, Civilians, Pocket Armies, Marshals or Cavalry Models, their variations and sub-variations into perspective that leads to another interesting insight: because it is the many short runs and variations over the whole period of production of the Belgian Colts from 1959 to 1973 that created today’s growing interest for collectors of these guns.

MYTHBUSTER

#1 Total number of Belgian Colts approx 60,000 units? With only around 16,250 confirmed this MYTH is BUSTED!

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

#3 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 BUSTED!

WDN/July 21, 2010

© 2007-10 Wolf D. Niederastroth

Back