686 no dash 4" round butt

[HPD2325]

Hello, I 686 no dash 4" round butt. I know this is an unmodified factory revolver, as it has been in the family for years and was bought new.

I thought they didn't make a 4" no dash 686, round butt.
Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

I'm sure I have the box, to confirm, but I haven't been able to dig it out yet.

Sorry for the dirty pics.
Any insight would be appreciated. thanks -Mike

 

[824tsv]

CS-1

Looks like a US Customs Service (CS-1) 686. Open the cylinder and advise what is stamped under the yoke. Very nice, very desirable revolvers.
I have one, here's the pic:

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Here's mine.

 

[k22fan]

While the original batches of 3" and 4" round butt CS-1s were built for Custom Service orders, the majority of CS-1 stamped 686s were sold to the general public. Before S&W temporarily discontinued all square butt revolver frames CS-1s had quite a following. They still do among collectors who want the combination of a 4" barrel, round butt and older manufacture.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Anticipating the OP's next question, a link to forum threads resulting from the search terms "CS-1 686"........

http://smith-wessonforum.com/search...7:2526757862&cof=FORID:10&ie=UTF-8&q=CS-1+686​

 

[HPD2325]

Thanks Guys. I'll check under the yoke tonight and try to dig up the box. I'll advise what I find. -Mike

 

[HPD2325]

Ok, guys, mine has an "m" stamp.

 

[824tsv]

The M stamp and 2M stamp are covered in depth in this thread.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/231410-us-customs-service-686-cs-1-a.html

 

[Engine49guy]

Hello Mike and welcome to the Forum,
Can you post a picture showing the top of the frame and barrel ?

Im no expert on CS-1's but appears the two posted above have a frame that steps down to the barrel rib like most K and L frames with 3" or longer barrels,....(At least mine all do ) and your frame has no "Step".

The 686's without the step IMO are usually found on snubs because the barrel mates to the front site ramp instead of stepping down to the barrel rib.

If my theory holds water could be your gun began life as a 2.5" snub and had a 4" barrel swapped to it, Some people that desired a RB 4" gun simply converted the grip frame which is not very difficult but matching the serrations on the "Tang" is the hard part so swapping a 4" barrel onto a snub might have been the easier option.
Just a guess.

 

[824tsv]

Hello Mike and welcome to the Forum,
Can you post a picture showing the top of the frame and barrel ?

Im no expert on CS-1's but appears the two posted above have a frame that steps down to the barrel rib like most K and L frames with 3" or longer barrels,....(At least mine all do ) and your frame has no "Step".

The 686's without the step IMO are usually found on snubs because the barrel mates to the front site ramp instead of stepping down to the barrel rib.

If my theory holds water could be your gun began life as a 2.5" snub and had a 4" barrel swapped to it, Some people that desired a RB 4" gun simply converted the grip frame which is not very difficult but matching the serrations on the "Tang" is the hard part so swapping a 4" barrel onto a snub might have been the easier option.
Just a guess.

I think it's the angle of the O.P.'s pic that the step is not visible. A tell tale feature of CS-1 barrels are the black pinned front sight blade.

 

[HPD2325]

I think it's the angle of the O.P.'s pic that the step is not visible. A tell tale feature of CS-1 barrels are the black pinned front sight blade.

Yep, I think it's just the angle. I have the original box, it started life as a 4". I'll try to get another pic tonight.

 

[SmithNut]

If you have calipers, measure the width of the front ramp sight, if it's 1/10" wide it's going to be a CS-1 or an over-run gun. If it's 1/8" wide, then it's a standard production gun with, the bead blast finish makes it interesting, which is the finish of the Customs Service guns.