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Reflections
on Centaure Conversions & the 1871-72 Open Top or the Rambling of an Old
Cowpuncher # Centaure Open Top Project - Yes we can but do we
want? # Final Considerations # Respect to the Master |
Centaure Open Top Project - “Yes
we can – but do we want?”: Some collectors and cowboy gun shooters consider the Colt M 1871-1872 Open Top the queen of
the Colt conversions. With the experience already gathered from other Centaure
conversion projects it appears that the way is now paved for the making of a Centaure Open Top with Army grips in
.44 Colt cal. using many original Belgian Centaure parts. Here is the shopping
list and a rough outline of such a project:
#1.: original Centaure back-strap, grip and frame incl. small parts can be used. Centaure 3-screw frame needs
to have steel plate welded to the lower forward portion to get one straight
platform without the typical Army C&B pistol step, see picture below of
original OT. A loading gate must be added. Hammer needs to be reworked and a
firing pin added, similar to RM project.
#2.: Uberti
steel trigger-guard needs to be
mated to Belgian frame, back-strap and grip.
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Nickel plated original Colt Open Top with ivory grips of Army size: chambered
for the .44 Henry rim fire cartridge |
#3.: new conversion cylinder needs to be lathed
from ordnance steel and engraved. No big deal for a conversion artist.
#4.: semi-finished 7,5” Uberti OT barrel with rear sight in .44 cal./.429 dia needs to be procured, re-contoured
and fitted, see RM project.
#5.: new OT ejector housing needs to be made and
mated to barrel, see RM project.
Such a Centaure Open Top
will have even more Italian genes than the previous Centaure Richards-Mason
conversion project.
Will I pursue such a project
the War Department permitting? Probably not. Let me
explain:
# Technically and compared
to e. g. a Thuer or Richards
the making of an Open Top from a Centaure C&B pistol is an unsophisticated
piece of solid gunsmith work, but it might represent some unexpected challenges
nonetheless.
# For the professional
execution of such a project an experienced, dedicated and top notch conversion
artist is required. In Europe I only would trust Karl Nedbal with this task. But Karl will no longer be available because he retired
during the month of April 2011…
Final Considerations: Given
the options available to own a modern, hard steel and quality made 1860 model
conversion revolver with measurements of a Civil War period Colt Army and with
due respect to my friends in Gardone and Meßkirch I will be choosing the Centaure customs conversion
in .44 Colt caliber every day of the week.
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Nedbal
Centaure Army Conversions proudly displayed on top of the Austrian flag (top to bottom): Thuer #7266, Richards #4079, Richards Transitional #6981,
Richards-Mason #6176, “Mystery” #11691 |
With this in mind I am bowing my head in great respect
to the outstanding work of Austrian master Karl Nedbal, exemplified by above
quintet of the Centaure Army conversions the did for me. Thanks, my friend, you
have done good!
WDN/November 9, 2011
© 2007 Wolf D. Niederastroth