Centennial 1960 NMA

RIB45 · August 21, 2011, 08:04 PM

I have in my hand a 1960 Centennial NMA s#6326, that a friend has offered to sell to me for $175.00. The bore is mint, he fit a new bolt and built a new wedge from scratch, (he's worked with metal and welding for years) and replaced the too short nipples with Uncle Mike's #11. The hand is a bit short,but it locks up tight and carries through with a brisk cocking motion. He says it shoots to point of aim.Condition is very good, with patina brass and bluing about 90%+. Are parts available, including any screws, most are ok, but a few are slightly buggered.

I'm leaning towards buying it to help him out of a financial bind. Any infor would be available. Can maybe post a pic in a few days.

Thanks, RIB45

Hawg · August 21, 2011, 08:11 PM

If you don't buy it send me his email address.

Fingers McGee · August 21, 2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg

If you don't buy it send me his email address.

Dang, beat me to it.

mykeal · August 22, 2011, 05:25 AM

To answer your question, yes, spare parts are available. Screws from either Pietta or Uberti's versions of the Colt revolvers will work. Other parts, such as a hand or bolt, will need to be hand fitted.

And put me down as third in line if HH or FM change their minds....I only have two and they're lonely.

madcratebuilder · August 22, 2011, 07:35 AM

RUN, do not walk to your buddy and buy that Centennial NMA. Easily worth twice that.

They clean up nice.
#2157

Doc Hoy · August 22, 2011, 04:06 PM

....number 952 and I am unable to tell you what I would take for it.

RIB45 · September 2, 2011, 09:54 PM

pictures

sebou · September 3, 2011, 07:07 AM

Centenial may be the best. Colt has gave licence to made the Amry 1860 Colt revolver. That's the reason to tell Centenial revolvers are not replicas, but Copy or original copy.
I hope to buy one in my life !

Seb

zullo74 · September 3, 2011, 07:15 AM

They also gave a license to Lou Imperato to make the 2nd and 3rd generation Colt C&B revolvers. That doesn't make them REAL Colts. They are still reproductions.

madcratebuilder · September 3, 2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

They also gave a license to Lou Imperato to make the 2nd and 3rd generation Colt C&B revolvers. That doesn't make them REAL Colts. They are still reproductions.

sltm1 · September 3, 2011, 10:34 AM

I like your reply MCB.....I figure they are "original" brevets, at least mine is!!

zullo74 · September 3, 2011, 10:38 AM

I didn't care for his reply much.

If Ferrari gave KIA a license to build their cars, would that really make them Ferrari's in your mind?

Fingers McGee · September 3, 2011, 10:39 AM

+2 MCB.

Hawg · September 3, 2011, 10:44 AM

Oh Boy here we go again. Colt bought the parts from Uberti for the second gens. Colt did the final fitting and finish and do warranty them. They will even letter them, therefore for all intents and purposes they are genuine Colt's. The third gens were made entirely by Colt Black Powder Firearms. (not Colt) under license from Colt. Colt had no part of their production and will not warranty them or letter them. They won't even repair them. So they are not Colt's but since it has the Colt name on it some die hards insist they are real Colt's....Hi Hardy.

Bootsie · September 3, 2011, 10:44 AM

Sebou, Zullo and all: Colt gave a license to a consortium of 7 Liège gunmakers in 1853 - according to other sources already 1852 - for the making of percussion revolvers of the Colt pattern ... which they did. This license was never terminated or cancelled.
As it turned out one successor of the original consortium of 7, Hanquet, later merged/controlled a few of the successor companies of the remaining 6 ... and formed eventually Fabriques d'Armes Unies de Liège (FAUL) ...
which in 1959 started making the Centaure C&B revolver with the barrel marking "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" ... which is a Colt 1860 pattern pistol made of modern steel with some other improvements over the real thing from the 1860s and 1870s.
Initially FAUL made these Centaures for Centennial Arms Corp. of Lincolnwood, IL. Centennial Arms Corp. sold them in the USA, Canada and a few to New Zealand.
From ca. 1963 to 1970 some 3000 of these Centaures were made with the Ormsby naval engagement scene and CENTENNIAL between the scene. Quite a few had the barrel marking "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" amended with CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK, etc.
Which led to the nick name Centennial Army for this Belgian pistol in the USA.
Incidentally, the predecessors of FAUL during the 19th century never made revolvers of the Colt creeping loading lever pattern, i. e. 1860, 1861, 1862 model, but only of the 1849 (Pocket), 1851 (Navy) and 1848(Dragoon) pattern.
It can be argued that this licensing agreement from 1853 makes these modern made Centaures Colt licensed 1860 pattern pistols ... in my opinion probably more so than the 2nd or 3rd gen ones.
For further details see www.1960nma.org
Bootsie

bigminnow · September 3, 2011, 10:46 AM

Noobie question:...

"the hand is a little short"... please educate me...what does that mean?
Thanks...

zullo74 · September 3, 2011, 10:50 AM

Bootsie,
I will agree with your terminology...."It can be argued that this licensing agreement from 1853 makes these modern made Centaures Colt licensed 1860 pattern pistols ... in my opinion probably more so than the 2nd or 3rd gen ones."

Hawg · September 3, 2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

"the hand is a little short"... please educate me...what does that mean?
Thanks...

The thingy doodle what turns the cylinder when you cock the hammer is too short so the cylinder won't lock up when the hammer is fully cocked. The chamber up for firing won't be in line with the bore either. If you cock it a little harder than normal the cylinder will have enough momentum to go ahead and line up and lock in. It's an easy fix.

Doc Hoy · September 3, 2011, 01:40 PM

....from the photos, you got a pretty nice revolver.

As you compare its size to other 1860s say from ASM or Pietta, you will immediately see the difference in the size of the pistol.

sltm1 · September 3, 2011, 03:04 PM

Bootsie, thanks for the clarification on the word "FAUL", I though that was an actual company name. Zullo 74, these Belgian's really have a different "feel" to them than their Italian counterparts, if you can ever find one get it !!

RIB45 · September 3, 2011, 09:53 PM

I have a good friend, who is disabled, but works part time doing gun repairs to help supplement his income take a look at it. He has the patience and knowledge to do this type of work, restoring an original 1860 Army, with a mint bore, to a shootable condition,by installing a Uberti Hammer and trigger, and getting it to function fine. Charged the customer $300 for doing this, and customer thought he was overcharged!! Figure that!

I had accumulated many cap & ball parts from Dixie Gun works, etc., Uberti, including wedges, bolts, triggers, and a few hammers and stuff. I gave them to my friend for his use when needed, no charge, with the understanding that he would help me out if I ever needed some work done. He installed a new, stiffer rammer spring to keep it from dropping when fired, stretched the hand, polished and refit a replacement bolt to where it is about perfectly timed, crisp 3 lb trigger pull, and should make a good shooter and display gun. He did this for me for the parts I gave him.

Since the real value of this gun is greater than my friend asked, I have offered to give him $275.00 for it, about the cost of a good Uberti. Since he is my friend and in financial need, I value his friendship and want him to get a more fair price for his situation. His respect and friendship is more valuable to me
than taking advantage of his situation for my benefit. I now have a neat gun,
and know that I did the right thing.

RIB45 aka
Rib Mountain Wrangler Sass#6002

sebou · September 12, 2011, 10:07 AM

Bootsie, thanks for the clarification on the word "FAUL" +1

orangello · September 12, 2011, 11:36 AM

Nice Job RIB45!

jldee55 · September 12, 2011, 02:40 PM

I noticied it soesn't have the notch cut-out for the stock attachment. Did they come that way? I just figured one this "special" would be fullt equiped..

Bootsie · September 13, 2011, 02:20 AM

JLDEE & all: FAUL launched their Civilian 1960 which is an 1860 pattern pistol without notches in the recoil shield and no toe on butt. After some 1000 specimens made production was discontinued due to slow sales.
But they were sitting on a huge pile of backstraps without notch for a shoulder stock.
To reduce this ínventory the special production model Pocket Army was launched with a backstrap without notch but again no volume sales were realized. After some 80 units (!) made production was discontinued.
So, the Belgians started fitting their regular production pistols, the Regular New Model Armies or RNMAs with these backstraps.
These variants are found in the
# 1st variations RNMA (plain, rebated cylinder). They are found in the serial number range between #5412 (1966 production) and 10628 (1970 production), projected total ca. 2600 pistols.
# 3rd variations RNMA (Ormsby naval engagement scene on cylinder). They are observed in the serial number range #3808 (1964 production) and #9880 (1970 production), projected total ca. 1900 pistols.
In addition a few prototypes of high gloss polish/"in the white" finish Centaures of the
# 5th variation RNMA (plain, rebated cylinder ) and of the
# 6th variation RNMA (fluted cylinder) were made in 1967. Projected total ca. 20 pistols of the 2 variations combined.
It appears that by 1970 the inventory of these backstraps without notches was exhausted.
For details see www.1960nma.org
Bootsie

September 3, 2011, 10:39 AM	#13
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	+2 MCB. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

September 3, 2011, 10:44 AM	#15
Bootsie Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Location: Hofheim/Germany Posts: 102	Sebou, Zullo and all: Colt gave a license to a consortium of 7 Liège gunmakers in 1853 - according to other sources already 1852 - for the making of percussion revolvers of the Colt pattern ... which they did. This license was never terminated or cancelled. As it turned out one successor of the original consortium of 7, Hanquet, later merged/controlled a few of the successor companies of the remaining 6 ... and formed eventually Fabriques d'Armes Unies de Liège (FAUL) ... which in 1959 started making the Centaure C&B revolver with the barrel marking "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" ... which is a Colt 1860 pattern pistol made of modern steel with some other improvements over the real thing from the 1860s and 1870s. Initially FAUL made these Centaures for Centennial Arms Corp. of Lincolnwood, IL. Centennial Arms Corp. sold them in the USA, Canada and a few to New Zealand. From ca. 1963 to 1970 some 3000 of these Centaures were made with the Ormsby naval engagement scene and CENTENNIAL between the scene. Quite a few had the barrel marking "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" amended with CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK, etc. Which led to the nick name Centennial Army for this Belgian pistol in the USA. Incidentally, the predecessors of FAUL during the 19th century never made revolvers of the Colt creeping loading lever pattern, i. e. 1860, 1861, 1862 model, but only of the 1849 (Pocket), 1851 (Navy) and 1848(Dragoon) pattern. It can be argued that this licensing agreement from 1853 makes these modern made Centaures Colt licensed 1860 pattern pistols ... in my opinion probably more so than the 2nd or 3rd gen ones. For further details see www.1960nma.org Bootsie Last edited by Bootsie; September 4, 2011 at 08:50 AM.

September 3, 2011, 01:40 PM	#19
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Looks like.... ....from the photos, you got a pretty nice revolver. As you compare its size to other 1860s say from ASM or Pietta, you will immediately see the difference in the size of the pistol. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

August 21, 2011, 08:04 PM	#1
RIB45 Junior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4	Centennial 1960 NMA I have in my hand a 1960 Centennial NMA s#6326, that a friend has offered to sell to me for $175.00. The bore is mint, he fit a new bolt and built a new wedge from scratch, (he's worked with metal and welding for years) and replaced the too short nipples with Uncle Mike's #11. The hand is a bit short,but it locks up tight and carries through with a brisk cocking motion. He says it shoots to point of aim.Condition is very good, with patina brass and bluing about 90%+. Are parts available, including any screws, most are ok, but a few are slightly buggered. I'm leaning towards buying it to help him out of a financial bind. Any infor would be available. Can maybe post a pic in a few days. Thanks, RIB45

August 21, 2011, 08:11 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	If you don't buy it send me his email address.

August 22, 2011, 05:25 AM	#4
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	To answer your question, yes, spare parts are available. Screws from either Pietta or Uberti's versions of the Colt revolvers will work. Other parts, such as a hand or bolt, will need to be hand fitted. And put me down as third in line if HH or FM change their minds....I only have two and they're lonely.

August 22, 2011, 07:35 AM	#5
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	RUN, do not walk to your buddy and buy that Centennial NMA. Easily worth twice that. They clean up nice. #2157

August 22, 2011, 04:06 PM	#6
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	I have.... ....number 952 and I am unable to tell you what I would take for it. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

September 3, 2011, 07:07 AM	#8
sebou Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: France Posts: 108	Centenial may be the best. Colt has gave licence to made the Amry 1860 Colt revolver. That's the reason to tell Centenial revolvers are not replicas, but Copy or original copy. I hope to buy one in my life ! Seb

September 3, 2011, 07:15 AM	#9
zullo74 Junior member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Posts: 374	They also gave a license to Lou Imperato to make the 2nd and 3rd generation Colt C&B revolvers. That doesn't make them REAL Colts. They are still reproductions.

September 3, 2011, 10:34 AM	#11
sltm1 Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 353	I like your reply MCB.....I figure they are "original" brevets, at least mine is!!

September 3, 2011, 10:38 AM	#12
zullo74 Junior member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Posts: 374	I didn't care for his reply much. If Ferrari gave KIA a license to build their cars, would that really make them Ferrari's in your mind?

September 3, 2011, 10:46 AM	#16
bigminnow Member Join Date: August 12, 2011 Posts: 98	Noobie question:... "the hand is a little short"... please educate me...what does that mean? Thanks...

September 3, 2011, 10:50 AM	#17
zullo74 Junior member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Posts: 374	Bootsie, I will agree with your terminology...."It can be argued that this licensing agreement from 1853 makes these modern made Centaures *Colt licensed 1860 pattern pistols* ... in my opinion probably more so than the 2nd or 3rd gen ones."

September 3, 2011, 03:04 PM	#20
sltm1 Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 353	Bootsie, thanks for the clarification on the word "FAUL", I though that was an actual company name. Zullo 74, these Belgian's really have a different "feel" to them than their Italian counterparts, if you can ever find one get it !!

September 3, 2011, 09:53 PM	#21
RIB45 Junior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4	Update to my Centaur from good friend I have a good friend, who is disabled, but works part time doing gun repairs to help supplement his income take a look at it. He has the patience and knowledge to do this type of work, restoring an original 1860 Army, with a mint bore, to a shootable condition,by installing a Uberti Hammer and trigger, and getting it to function fine. Charged the customer $300 for doing this, and customer thought he was overcharged!! Figure that! I had accumulated many cap & ball parts from Dixie Gun works, etc., Uberti, including wedges, bolts, triggers, and a few hammers and stuff. I gave them to my friend for his use when needed, no charge, with the understanding that he would help me out if I ever needed some work done. He installed a new, stiffer rammer spring to keep it from dropping when fired, stretched the hand, polished and refit a replacement bolt to where it is about perfectly timed, crisp 3 lb trigger pull, and should make a good shooter and display gun. He did this for me for the parts I gave him. Since the real value of this gun is greater than my friend asked, I have offered to give him $275.00 for it, about the cost of a good Uberti. Since he is my friend and in financial need, I value his friendship and want him to get a more fair price for his situation. His respect and friendship is more valuable to me than taking advantage of his situation for my benefit. I now have a neat gun, and know that I did the right thing. RIB45 aka Rib Mountain Wrangler Sass#6002

September 12, 2011, 10:07 AM	#22
sebou Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: France Posts: 108	Bootsie, thanks for the clarification on the word "FAUL" +1

September 12, 2011, 11:36 AM	#23
orangello Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 566	Nice Job RIB45!

September 12, 2011, 02:40 PM	#24
jldee55 Member Join Date: July 5, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 19	I noticied it soesn't have the notch cut-out for the stock attachment. Did they come that way? I just figured one this "special" would be fullt equiped..

September 13, 2011, 02:20 AM	#25
Bootsie Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Location: Hofheim/Germany Posts: 102	JLDEE & all: FAUL launched their Civilian 1960 which is an 1860 pattern pistol without notches in the recoil shield and no toe on butt. After some 1000 specimens made production was discontinued due to slow sales. But they were sitting on a huge pile of backstraps without notch for a shoulder stock. To reduce this ínventory the special production model Pocket Army was launched with a backstrap without notch but again no volume sales were realized. After some 80 units (!) made production was discontinued. So, the Belgians started fitting their regular production pistols, the Regular New Model Armies or RNMAs with these backstraps. These variants are found in the # 1st variations RNMA (plain, rebated cylinder). They are found in the serial number range between #5412 (1966 production) and 10628 (1970 production), projected total ca. 2600 pistols. # 3rd variations RNMA (Ormsby naval engagement scene on cylinder). They are observed in the serial number range #3808 (1964 production) and #9880 (1970 production), projected total ca. 1900 pistols. In addition a few prototypes of high gloss polish/"in the white" finish Centaures of the # 5th variation RNMA (plain, rebated cylinder ) and of the # 6th variation RNMA (fluted cylinder) were made in 1967. Projected total ca. 20 pistols of the 2 variations combined. It appears that by 1970 the inventory of these backstraps without notches was exhausted. For details see www.1960nma.org Bootsie