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[Halfway Creek Charlie]

I believe that the one sold last week on GunBroker had the Naval Scene as well.

[drjldavis]

The following is a section on Centennial Arms revolvers from the Replica Percussion Revolver Collector's Association's (RPRCA) forthcoming book.    http://rprca.tripod.com

It deals only with the modern production black powder percussion revolvers and not the cartridge revolvers.  William Edward, author of "Civil War Guns" was one of the principals in the Centennial Arms venture.  More info about history of the revolvers are in his book.

CENTENNIAL ARMS CORPORATION - 1960

Made in Liege, Belgium by Centaure. 

This company dates from1852 when J. Hanquet signed contract with Sam Colt to produce Colt's Patent (Colt Brevete) revolvers in Liege, Belgium.

Produced the 1860 Army named the "New Model Army" in following configurations:

1. Three screw frame cut for shoulder stock, toe on butt for shoulder stock, with plain rebated cylinder.  Brass trigger guards and steel back strap with 8" barrel.  Serial numbers #1 – 1400.  However, plain rebated cylinders have occurred in the 3000 serial number range

2. Three-screw frame cut for shoulder stock, toe on butt for shoulder stock, with Colt Navy scene engraved rebated cylinder.  Brass trigger guards and steel back strap with 8" barrel.  Engraving lacks background detail found on original Colts.  Serial numbers above 1400.

3. Three-screw frame cut for shoulder stock, toe on butt for shoulder stock, with Colt Navy scene engraved rebated cylinder.  Brass trigger guards and steel back strap with 7 1/2" barrel.  Engraving lacks background detail found on original Colts.  Serial numbers above 1400.

4. Civilian Model - Three-screw frame not cut for shoulder stock, no toe on butt for shoulder stock, with Colt Navy scene engraved rebated cylinder. Silver trigger guard and back strap with 8" barrel.  Serial numbers have "C" prefix. The legend "ENGAGED 16TH MAY 1843" appeared on first 500 of these guns.

5. Civilian Model - Three-screw frame not cut for shoulder stock, no toe on butt for shoulder stock, with Colt Navy scene engraved rebated cylinder. Silver trigger guard and back strap with 8" barrel.  Serial numbers have "C" prefix.  No legend on cylinder

6. Stocked Model – Four-screw frame cut for shoulder stock, toe on butt for shoulder stock, full fluted cylinder, and detachable shoulder stock.  Brass trigger guards and steel back strap with 7 1/2" barrel.  Serial numbers bear "F" prefix.

7. Sheriff's Model – Civilian Model with 4" barrel and full fluted cylinder.  Special order

Other Models Proposed and Advertised by Centennial Arms Italian Manufacture  (None have ever been observed)

1. 1847 Whitneyville Hartford Dragoon

2. 1850 2nd Model Dragoon

3. 1851 3rd Model Dragoon – Target sights, cut for shoulder stock with Shoulder Stock


Other Models by Centennial Arms Manufactured by Investarms-Italian Manufacture

1. 1851 Navy – Engraved cylinder, brass trigger guard and back strap

2. 1851 Navy Sheriff's Model – 5" barrel, engraved cylinder, brass trigger guard and back strap

3. 1851 Navy – Half-fluted cylinder, brass trigger guard and back strap, lanyard ring.

4. 1851 Navy Sheriff's Model - 5" barrel, half-fluted cylinder, brass trigger guard and back strap, lanyard ring.

5. Remington 1858 New Model Army

6. Remington 1858 New Model Army Target Model

7. Schneider & Glassick - .36cal., engraved cylinder

8. Schneider & Glassick - .44cal., rebated/engraved cylinder

9. Schneider & Glassick Sheriff's Model - .36cal., 5" barrel, engraved cylinder (only model ever obsevered

Centennial Revolver Kits

1. 1851 Navy

2. 1860 Army

3. Remington 1858 New Model Army

4. Schneider & Glassick

Markings Observed

< Barrel Muzzle

"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"  CENTENNIAL  TRADE MARK  CHICAGO U.S.A.

"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"

CENTENNIAL  TRADE MARK    "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"

"1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"     CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK

CENTENNIAL   
TRADE   MARK    (Two lines on LtSd Barrel Flat above wedge)
                             Investarms trademark on Butt

I also have two USFA black powder revolvers you might be interested in knowing about. They are both U.S. Patent Firearms marked before Colt put the screws to them about the name.

1860 Army is marked:  Serial #130988

-ADDRESS U.S. PATENT HARTFORD CT. U.S. AMERICA - (Top Barrel) U.S. Patent (LtSd Frame)

1851 Navy is marked:  Serial #5197

-ADDRESS U.S. PATENT HARTFORD CT. U.S. AMERICA - (Top Barrel)

1860 Army has Stag Grips fitted in their custom shop. Have original box, papers, and original invoices. 1851 Navy came in original box, also with papers, and extra cylinder. Absolutely top quality, much much better than any Colt. I was at the first Shot Show when the then, U.S. Patent Firearms introduced themselves with the most fantastic display of all the revolvers they proposed to make polished in the white. So perfectly polished that they appeared to be nickel plated.

I have not been able to get much information from USFA customer service about the black powder revolvers they did produce.  I would appreciate help in this area so the section on these revolvers in the book will be accurate and complete.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

Thanks for the input from RPPCA.
That helps us along in our inquiries.

[W.T.]

drjl, that is fantastic.  Thanks for the info.

Now; when's the book coming out?

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

He had posted info on the old Lyman's BP guns on another forum (TFL) and I asked him a question about the Belgian Colt's and he posted this info on that forume and asked if he should post it here, before I couyld answer him he posted it here. That confirms a lot that Bootsie and others have said.

One of my Belgians is different from what he has posted. it is cut for the stock(frame) but the toe isn't on the butt. and both mine have the Engaged May 16, 1843 on the naval scene. So there seem to be several variants.

[W.T.]

Yep, variants abounding.  Hope more folks chime in with info from their own examples.

And I got my own serial number wrong, 'cause I was too lazy to go downstairs & look.  I transposed some numbers: it's actually 2024.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

I just went to Amazon.com and bought William Edwards book Civil War Guns. so we'll soon see what and how much he expounds upon the belgian Colts. They have a few used ones at various other dealers, I bought a cheap one cause i could.

CRIKEY! look what we got started!

[W.T.]

CRIKEY! look what we got started!

And look what it's costing.  I caught the disease from Bootsie, Rifle (both here and over on VoyForums), and you - and was egged-on by Major 2 .

About the time you were reeling-in that one on auctionarms, I found mine at Collector's in Houston...it came with an Uberti shoulder stock..and timing 'issues'...

[Long Johns Wolf]

Wow, more vatiations. We need to do more research. Interestingly enough they do not mention the stainless models.
A friend over here got a fully fluted one with the 7,5" barrel which is either in the white or stainless. Need to take another look at that pistol.
Bootsie

[drjldavis]

Thanks Half Way Charlie for the additional input on your revolver.  This is what I hope for by posting on Forums.  I just joined this Forum  this week and it is turning out to be the best.  The Bull S---t that I have gotten on some of the others is unbelievable,  especially from the one way thinking "Colt" die hards.  One idiot "Senior Member" on the Gun Broker Forum went so far as to say it would be better to own one "original" Colt than 100 modern production revolvers.  One rusted out "boat anchor" rather than, better than original, modern production and materials.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

W.T.
Send me some pictures of your problem as told to me by Major2 this morning. If I cannot figure it out Rifle can fix it he's great and I can get you his eamail. I can get you the dimensions of the bolt hole from mine if you need that.

[Long Johns Wolf]

There is the question floating around why did Fabriques d'Armes issue the 1860 Army in 1960 when they never did one before in the 19th century.
I like to offer this thought: during the late 1950s the C&B revolver replicas available to re-enactors and shooters were the Colt Navies M 1951, with the Remington Army M 1858 being launched around 1960. The first Colt Army M 1960 by Uberti did not make it before April 1963, S/N A1! Bearing this in mind any re-issue pistol needed to appeal to these 2 fast growing target groups.
Since Fabriques d'Armes as (former) Colt licensee were likely to capitalize on the licensing issue, making the Colt Army M 1860 would have been a logical choice at that time from a sales & markting point of view. In addition one might speculate that retooling the old machinery from making Navies (in the 19th century) to Armies might have been easier then making say Dragoons...
What do you think?
Bootsie

[Major 2]

Thanks Charlie..

I was somewhat guilty in WT buying that one... 

I know it can be fixed 

[W.T.]

W.T.
Send me some pictures of your problem as told to me by Major2 this morning. If I cannot figure it out Rifle can fix it he's great and I can get you his eamail. I can get you the dimensions of the bolt hole from mine if you need that.

Thanks, Charlie ~ I've been talking with Rifle: nothing looks fatal on this pup (so far) - just annoying.  I'm sworn to do nothing else until that one stuck nipple is out, and I promised it another two weeks' soakin' in diesel...

[W.T.]

Thanks Charlie..

I was somewhat guilty in WT buying that one... 

Yep, you shore was...and that Kenny Howell...and the Spencer...and the Henry...

Addicts just enjoy makin' more addicts

[Major 2]

Ha!.... now I'm Pusher...

If I ain't got mad money of my own, I'll just spend yours 

remember why it's called "MAD" money ?

cause when ya spend it ... it's what the wife "IS" 

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

Don't have one of them "Wives" but I gots a sister what thinks she's my Mom. So she's the one what get's made....if she ever finds out.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

Here are some shots of my Belgian Colts and the two fine holsters made by Tommy Tornado.
Early Gun on the right

Early gun on top in the following two pictures

[Long Johns Wolf]

Good looking pistols & cool looking holsters, too!
Bootsie

[W.T.]

Jumping in to the Belgian Colt feeding frenzy with both feet, an Internet search found me as as-new, unfired example in box at an auction house in Maine.  Got all set to submit an absentee bid for serious bux when I noticed that the posting was from 2004...

aaaagh!  Coltus Interruptus!

(Think Rifle may have seen the same auction notice...)