Centennial Arms 1960 Army

[Long Johns Wolf]

Thanks Zonie. The Belgian manufacturer Fabriques d'Armes Unies de Liège terminated production of all guns, i.e. muzzloaders & highend shotguns early summer 1977. The C&B revolver production was terminated already before 1977, assumed to be around 1975.Rumor has it that they continued as importer/distributor/dealer for Colt Firearms for the Benelux countries into the 1980s but have disappeared since.
Long Johns Wolf

 

[bprevolver]

The Centennial box shown is from the Replica Percussion Revolver Collector's Association web site at: [url] http://rprca.tripod.com[/url]

I am enclosing the following information from the forthcoming book, "Replica Percussion Revolver-A Collector's Guide". This is the information provided to Wolf for his research.

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” & 5” 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

"1860 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK CHICAGO U.S.A.

"1860 NEW MODEL ARMY"

CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1860 NEW MODEL ARMY"

"1860 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK

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

 

[Long Johns Wolf]

Thanks Jim. Some amendments are in order, based on Belgian Colts/Centaures/Centennials included in my survey, from literature collected or privided by Hanquet family (and no offence intended):
The Hanquet family was in the gun dealing & making business since 1796. They headed the biggest gun manufacturer consortium in Liege/Belgium during the mid of the 19th century.
According to a German publication of 1971 the deal with Sam Colt was signed April 1853 whereas in Edward's book from 1962 it this said to be 1852.
Regarding models & variations known today (pictorial proof or physical inspection):
Barrel lengths confirmed 5,5", 7,5", 8". 8" is regular, only 2 models known with 5,5" and 7,5" respectively.
3 Different barrel markings are observed, i. e. "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"; "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK; CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY"
Regular finish is blue/case colors, unless otherwise stated.
ad 1: 3-screw frame cut for stock, 8" barrel, with plain cylinder - the lowest S/N known is 38, the highest 14270. They are very common in Europe
ad 2: 3-screw frame cut for stock, 8" barrel, with Centaure-type naval scene (=Colt-type naval scene with less background), NEW MODEL 44 between the scene, lowest S/N known 2024, highest S/N known 2474
ad 3: 3-screw frame cut for stock, 8" barrel (not 7,5" barrel), with Colt-type naval scene, CENTENNIAL between the scene, legend ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843, lowest S/N known 2999, highest 18408
ad 3.1: like 3 but COLTS PATENT N° + S/N between the scene, one specimen found so far S/N 14xx
ad 4: Civilian Model 3-screw frame not cut for stock, 8" barrel, silver plated trigger guard + backstrap, Centaure-type naval scene on cylinder, legend ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843 or ENGAGED 16TH MAY 1843 (latter to be confirmed), C-prefix S/N, C1- ca. C500 (latter to be confirmed). Only specimen known C46
ad 4.1: like before mentioned Civilian Model but cylinder without legend. C-prefix. Only specimen known C931
ad 6: Stocked model, dubbed Cavalry Model in Europe. Only model with 7,5" barrel. 4-screw frame cut for stock, fully fluted cylinder, blue/case colored finish, detachable stock. Stock has same S/N as pistol. F-prefix. Lowest S/N F7, highest known F362.
ad 7 Sheriff's Model, dubbed Marshall in Europe. Only model with 5,5" barrel, high polish/in the white finish, 3-screw frame cut for stock, no barrel marking. Lowest S/N 11298, highest known 14054.
ad 7.1. same as before, but 4-screw frame (fourth screw is "flat" not stud-type. Only S/N known is 11284
Additional models in my survey:
3-screw frame cut for stock, 8" barrel, fully fluted cylinder, high polish/in the white finish, barrel marking "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY", lowest S/N 14219, highest known 14226
same as before, but made of stainless steel, barrel marking CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK "1960 NEW MODE ARMY", lowest S/N 12307, highest S/N known 12713.
If you have one of these Belgian Colts send me a PM because I would like to include your pistol in my survey.
Long Johns Wolf

 

[Long Johns Wolf]

Just to keep the Belgian Colt enthusiasts informed: a new variation of the Belgian Colt has just been surfaced and could be included in my survey: regualar 8" barrel, 3-screw frame cut for stock, regular blue/CCH finish and FULLY FLUTED cylinder. S/N 117xx. This is the first one reported.
All other fluted cylinder versions either come in the high gloss/"in the white" finish (5,5" or 8" barrel) or have the 7,5" barrel with 4-Screw frame and come with the matching stock.
Long Johns Wolf