Belgian Colt 1860 Army

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Doc Hoy

New member
Experts,

I came up with a Belgian (Hanquet, Centaure, 1960 New Model Army) replica 1860 Colt Army (.44) steel frame at a gun show a couple months ago. Pistol is only in fair condition but I got it cheap.

It is with a gunsmith who is going to tighten it up. He has experience with these specific pistols.

In the mean time I got involved with some enthusiasts who run a discussion board from Belgium on this pistol. Not surprisingly they speak very highly of the pistol.

The serial number on the weapon is 952 and everything matches. These guys know of only one in existence with a lower serial number, somewhere in the 400s if I remember correctly.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this pistol and can compare it's traits with the Italian made clones.
 
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Bootsie

New member
Doc Hoy: check www.1960nma.org. That is the Centaure website. If you have not done so please, download the questionaire from the website and submit the specific data of your pistol to be included in the Centaure survey.
These pistols were produced between 1959 and 1973, some 16000 only made in 4 models. The lowest S/N known is #38. Your #952 was made ca.1961.
Bootsie aka Long Johns Wolf
 
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Doc Hoy

New member
Smokin Gun and Bootsie

To Smokin Gun,

Can you give me a comparison between the Centaure and the Italian jobs?

Indeed I have seen your posts on the site. Did not make the connection until now. I was thinking, "Hmmmm smokin gun looks familiar"

I posted a diatribe on casting bullets for a guy who wanted information but got few responses. Perhaps it was too long. Hope none of it was wrong. I don't have any sanctioned training, just my own observations.

For Bootsie,

Yes, I have joined the club, filled out the form, and been on the discussion board a coupla times. I am member number 34. I think they have 34 members.

Also nice to make the connection between "Bootsie" and "LJW."
 
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Smokin_Gun

New member
Can you give me a comparison between the Centaure and the Italian jobs?
Click to expand...

Yeah I can give you my opinion Doc...
As compared to Itailian C&B Revs the Belgium Centaures are made of a harder gun steel, and known to interchange parts with a original Colt Rev with a better fit than the Italian counter parts.
On the time line and History they are before the 2nd gen Colts. As far as Historically tied to an original Licence with Sam Colt 1853 FAUL Mfg. Belgium
this goes back to the same Plant that Mfg'd Walker, Dragoons and 1851 Navys during the Civil War.(don't quote me on the exact date.) THE 1960 Centaure came about in 1960 as the 1860 Colt this one was not made during the Civil War Period. But by FAUL the same people.
Centaures had they're qwerks, and fixes ...same as Italian Revs ... some are better than others.
 
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Doc Hoy

New member
Thanks

SG,

Thanks for the info as regards relative attributes. As I mentioned earlier,I have mine with a gunsmith (although he has not acknowledge receipt of the pistol yet) for rehab.

I can't wait to get it back.
 
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Doc Hoy

New member
Yep

SG,

Sent it off to Warsaw. He and I have been speaking about it for some time.

I sent it off last week priority but I have not heard from him and the emails I am sending come back "undeliverable"

I am going to call him tomorrow if I don't get word before then.
 
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Doc Hoy

New member
Dog gone it!

SG,

Thanks for the heads-up. I need to speak to him anyway. I have only ever emailed but never talked directly.
 
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Doc Hoy

New member
SG was right

SG, you were right. I thought you were joshing me but his dog did hose up his computer.

Chewing on the surge protector I think.

Dog's name is "Sparky"
 
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