Belgium made percussion pistols

[toot]

I have a good friend on another BP forum who has a very extensive collection of old gun magazines from the 60'-70's (G&A, Guns, Gun World, Shooting Times, et al). When I am looking for information from that era, I will let him know what I would like and he is very gracious sending me scanned pages. I do not ask often so as not to wear out my welcome!

Glad you enjoyed them!

Regards,

Jim

yes I did ! thank you for posting them!!

 

[toot]

Here are some "before" and "after" pictures of my Centauer revolver. I had never heard of them until after I bought mine about 5 years ago, CHEAP, from a guy who found it in his attic. It belonged to his uncle, who took a job in Alaska. Before he left, the uncle oiled the gun, wrapped it in a cloth rag, and then put it in the attic for safe keeping until he returned. He forgot about it, and years later he died. A few years ago, it was found in the attic, covered in rust. I bought the gun sight unseen from the description, knowing it was badly rusted and only good for an interesting wallhanger.

After I got it, I soaked it in penetrating oil for a day, and when I cleaned the bore and chambers I was stunned to learn they were in perfect condition, and there was no evidence that the gun had ever been fired, or even dry fired.

From the serial number, mine was made in 1967.

This is a very high quality gun, and every bit the gun of my Second Generation Colt 1860, and is my favorite to shoot.

Before...
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I did not make any attempt to restore it, just clean it up and use it. After...
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Later on I made this holster for it...View attachment 42679
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you sir are an artesian!!

 

[toot]

I really like the old adverts for bannermans etc... imagine sending a check to New York and in a few weeks receiving a 1917 S&W or Colt 1911 in the mail? Freedom.

yes those rely were THE GOOD OLD DAYS!! no big brother!!

 

[JCKelly]

There is a society dedicated to these Centuare guns. Log on to
1960NMA.org
60 years ago some were disappointed when Belgian revolvers, licensed by Sam himself, were replaced by stuff made in Italy.

 

[B P Arn]

My mistake; it is only $200.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/878491216

The auction is over. Someone got a great revolver at a helluva price.

 

[Macgloy]

Hello PB ARN, Smoothian and friends, I am a German centaur collector and belong to the FROCS, Friends of Centaur Society. Can I use your pictures for my website?

https://www.santa-barbara-1858.org/index.php/de/centaureLook to Centaure

I would also like to have the serial numbers for our database if these have not yet been sent to our FROCS # 2
Thanks Gloyer MacGloy FROCS #158

 

[B P Arn]

Hello PB ARN, Smoothian and friends, I am a German centaur collector and belong to the FROCS, Friends of Centaur Society. Can I use your pictures for my website?

https://www.santa-barbara-1858.org/index.php/de/centaureLook to Centaure

I would also like to have the serial numbers for our database if these have not yet been sent to our FROCS # 2
Thanks Gloyer MacGloy FROCS #158

Yes, you certainly may! I can send you more pictures, if needed.

The serial number on my gun is 9637. I believe it was made in 1967.

 

[Macgloy]

Yes of course, Iam happy about good pics. Please sent it to
[email protected]
I check just the number of yours

 

[Macgloy]

Yes of course, Iam happy about good pics. Please sent it to
[email protected]
I check just the number of yours

Yours is new for us in our database, I wait for picsBP Arn

 

[B P Arn]

Macgloy, here are some more pictures. I thought it would be easier to just post them here, and for anyone on the forum here who might be interested seeing them also.

I notice that some of the Centaure guns have a fake looking scene engraved on their cylinder, deliberately made so as to not look like the original Colt, in an effort (I suppose) to not deceive anyone into thinking it was an original, although the engraving on my cylinder looks like the old style engraving. I don't understand that.

Another thing noteworthy is that the color case hardening is real, not like the newer made guns that just use dye for the appearance of color case hardening.

 

[B P Arn]

More pictures...

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Both the Centaur Colts and the Santa Barbara Remingtons have a sort of cult following. They were the best of their time compared to other manufacturers and in some cases better than the originals. As stated above, the new CNC process has pretty much overshadowed the quality issues of so many past reproductions.

 

[Hawken]

$89 bucks (in 1962) wasn't exactly chump change, how does that square with a S&W .38 or a .38 Colt revolver in the same era?

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I think I paid $65.00 for mine in 1973. It was used and only fired once. It has the fluted cylinder. Fit and finish is excellent. To me, it really feels different from the Italian copies I have.

 

[Macgloy]

PB Arn yours is a 3.Variation/ 3.Subvariation without a notch for the stock in the grip. No caliber sign at the left side of the barrel. There are two variation of engraved cylinder. This one is nearby the Omby scene and from the 2. Variation it is the F.A.U.L. scene. That is the different you mean!
https://www.santa-barbara-1858.org/index.php/de/centaure/rnmaTake a look at my homepage. This model was 1976 ea build. 50 without the CENTENNIAL strip at the cylinder. Any questions, please ask. I hope, that I could find the 1. Variation 1. Subvariation in the USA. If you have Information for me, please sent me a p.m.

 

[Macgloy]

Doubledeuce1 please post also a pic and the serialnumber

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I’m already a member of FROCS. Luckily I found out about you guys ten or so years ago... otherwise I might not have kept my revolver. I’m glad I did.

 

[Long Johns Wolf]

Hi FROCS & Centaure Aficionados on the western side of the Big Pond.
Our Centaure & FROCS website www.1960nma.org has been completely updated.
Long Johns Wolf

 

[TFoley]

you sir are an artesian!!

Well, well!

 

[toot]

Bought a basket case Centennial 1860. Cylinder pin was ruined. No spares available, made one starting with a die maker's bolt. That is when I discovered that the threads in the receiver were Imperial. Don't know about the rest of the screws.
Looks good, excellent shooter.

what are IMPERIAL THREADS'?