Belgian Colt - Next Level in the Evolution?

[Long Johns Wolf]

My Centaure S/N 4079 collected too much dust during the last couple of years. I never shot her...
She is about to be posted to master gun smith Karl Nedbal in Austria. Export papers, grip assembly, barrel without lever, cylinder and a couple of .44 Colt dummy cartridges ready in the carton for export shipment with DHL.
I always wanted a "modern" & shootable Richards Conversion and I always wanted it to be a Centaure, as close to the real Colt as possible...and Karl Nedbal promised to do one for me! For him this project includes a couple of "Firsts":
Nedbal only converted Ubertis until now. This is the first Belgian Colt/Centaure he is going to do.
My pistol shall be made in .44 Colt caliber for inside lubed bullets of .429 dia. Nedbal did the Ubertis in .44 Special for heeled bullets, to use the existing barrel without further alterations. To reduce the bore to proper diameter he plans to use galvano technique because there is not enough metal to use a liner, due to the "surgery" necessary for the ejector assembly.
According to his SOP and like other converters he makes new cylinders of higher quality steel for the conversions. In this case I asked him to use my factory cylinder with the proprietary naval scene...which should be made of harder steel anyhow.
So pards, please x fingers that this pistol will be transformed into a great Richards conversion in approx. 6 to 8 weeks time (that's what he thinks it is going to take...).
I'll keep you informed of the progress.
Long Johns Wolf

[Long Johns Wolf]

Master Nedbal just confirmed receipt of the pistol in Austria.
His only comments at this stage: "Cylinder looks OK but will have to do some soldering/lasering of the bolt stops because they were cut too deep in Belgium. Will have further information next week. If I rush I can complete her before X-mas...".
Told him not to rush... but to make pics of the conversion process.
Will keep you pards posted.
Long Johns Wolf

[Long Johns Wolf]

Nedbal just phoned from Austria: if I insist using the .44 Colt cartridges with .429 dia bullets there will be no proper chamber if the original cylinder of the Centaure is used, i. e. bullets will fly unstabilized in cylinder mouth area, will probalbly not hit the forcing cone at the proper angle which negatively affects accuracy...
Decision: Nedbal makes new cylinder with .44 Colt chamber. This also eliminates the issue of bolt stops cut too deep in the factory cylinder, so no soldering/lasering there necessary. At a later stage we decide what do do regarding cylinder engraving.
Suggestions are appreciated, pards & pardettes, thank you.
Long Johns Wolf

[Steel Horse Bailey]

How much trouble would it be to have a C&B set for this conversion?  Perhaps a new hammer and the original cylinder.  Sounds like an interesting possibility, but I don't know about the specifics.  There might have to be a few other spare parts made - bolt/stop, hand, hammer, but ....

Sounds like you're going to end up with a one-of-a-kind heirloom to me!  I'm available for adoption, by the way! 

[Long Johns Wolf]

Since this is going to be a Richards Conversion it is "a river of no return". Once a cartridge pistol, always a cartridge pistol.
But will keep that in mind if I ever consider having a Thuer conversion done...way too expensive!
Long Johns Wolf

[will52100]

Sounds good.  What's galvano for the bore?  I know there is a .429 linner that some use for conversions, not sure what the outside dimensions of the linner are.

What's his price to do a richards from a Uberti?  And what's his turnaround time?  Would love to have an authentic richard's conversion, minus the heeled bullets that is.

[Long Johns Wolf]

Will: don't know yet what kind of galvano Nedbal will be using. Once I know I'll let you pards know.
Regarding the .44 Colt inside lubed cartridges that I wish to use we wanted to go the liner-road originally but he made it very clear that there is just not enough metal left to do a professional lining job considering the cuts for the ejector house necessary, AND to get the pistol through the proof testing procedure afterwards.
There is another thread here in the STORM forum LOOK WHAT CAME MY WAY where I share a couple of pics of Thuer, Remington and Richards conversions he did on Ubertis, including the estimated cost in US $. Since Nedbal sits in Austria, i. e. € zone you would have to absorb the effect of the currently unfavorable exchange rate.
Nedbal quotes a turn around time of 6 weeks but I told him not too hurry as I want the converted pistol back only after Christmas 2007.
Long Johns Wolf

[Long Johns Wolf]

Will: Nedbal is using nickel to galvanize (right word?) the bore.
Long Johns Wolf

[Long Johns Wolf]

Nedbal is reporting progress: ejector housing ready for installation in my Centaure!
Long Johns Wolf

[Long Johns Wolf]

The new cylinder in .44 Colt (inside lubed) chamber is done.
Long Johns Wolf

[Long Johns Wolf]

Compare my Centaure to 1st gen Richards without conversion ring.
Long Johns Wolf

[Long Johns Wolf]

And another comparative pic. The new cylinder shall be engraved with the Centaure proprietary naval scene. And the barrel needs some minor reshaping in the breech area to follow the Colt lines even closer.
Long Johns Wolf

[Crow Scout]

You are lucky man.  That is really looking nice.  Please keep posting those pics.  I just wish you had asked for a Thuer instead. 

I just sent an email to Mr. Nedbal after drooling over those pics.  I hope he is good with the english language. 

[Crow Scout]

LJW, Karl Nedbal should pay you a commission!   I just put in an order with him for a Thuer conversion.  It sounds like I'll have to wait a while but after looking at your pictures it should be worth it. 

I'm eagerly awaiting your next picture update. 

[Capt. Willard]

Crow Scout..did it require a down payment or payment on delivery?

[Crow Scout]

He hasn't said yet.  I sent him an email stating what I was looking for and would he be able to do it.  He replied that yes he can but he is pretty busy right now and it wouldn't be done soon.  I sent him an email back that I don't mind the wait and to go ahead and put me down for one.  I have yet to hear back.  I'm sure his reply will state the payment information.

What I asked for was simply the cylinder and conversion ring for the Thuer.  His price is roughly $1100 + shipping, taxes, etc.  I think that's a much better deal than the $2800+ from Hege.  Hopefully it's less than the 9 months that Hege is stating.

[Long Johns Wolf]

Status of the conversion project: the conversion cylinder is with the engraver in Austria. He is engraving the Centaure proprieatary naval engagement scene at € 200,00. So, the pistol is almost complete and ready for proof testing. Can't wait to have her back. Will share pics of the job done.
Long Johns Wolf

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Try to get "shooting" pictures, too - if possible! 

[Long Johns Wolf]

OK pards and pardettes, the eagle has landed: I collected the first Centaure conversion personally from the master in Austria May 23, 2008. The galvanizing ot the barrel to proper bore sice for .44 Colt had to be repeated 4 times until it was OK and she got the Austrian proof marks. She'll get her first workout tomorrow at our local range, x fingers.
Since I was so excited I left Centaure S/N 7266 with Karl Nedbal to be converted into a Thuer...he says not before the end of October...but he did not give a year. And that's good because I don't have the dinero right now.
Long Johns Wolf a happy cowboy

[Henry4440]

Wow,it looks fantastic.
Great work.
I think i saw something for my whishlist.