Collected my 3" 686 CS-1 today

[Jeroenw114]

Today I finally fetched my 3" 686.
It is a CS-1 but that it has a 3" barrel and is of the no-mim, no lock period is what is really important to me.
But that it is a CS-1 is knowing the history of course a nice touch!
I will use it as a target revolver, nicely balanced and light.
It is satin bed blasted. I thought it was not but it's very light.

I think this one was of a hunter. It's from Germany and in Germany hunters are obliged to carry a handgun. (In the Netherlands that is forbidden)
It looks like it's hardly or not shot. But it was dirty with old oil and brown leather dust. The front sight and rear sight blade are worn to bare metal and
Hence my conclusion. (Daily carry is not allowed)

Right after collecting it at the shop I went to the range. It shoots well. It is not a target gun, yet.
The front sight is more narrow and the rear is not high enough. And I like wood grips over rubber.
Strangely it's cut for a trigger stop but it's not present.

Questions:
I was interested to know, is the very tiny blue box I got in the box in which these were distributed? It is S&W blue.
Can anyone verify that this serial number was delivered to the custom service or was an over run? Or only by letttering?
The cylinder charge holes are charp at the front. there is even a small raised sharp edge. Is this normal for dash 2 revolvers or CS-1 revolvers? My 686-3 and 696 have nicely finished edges.
Should I do something about that?

 

[Marshal Tom]

Hi, you snagged a fine and very sought after revolver. There has been much written about them on the forum over the years. They are very collectible and generally bring a hefty price when sold. I had two and sold one on the forum several years ago. That is not the proper box. the original would have been a blue cardboard box. Mine had wooden grips but as I recall, the ones that were not overruns came with those pacs.

 

[bipe215]

Very likely a service gun since it’s a 2M
But a letter is the only sure way to know

 

[swagmeister]

Very sought after Smith. Thanks for showing and enjoy.

 

[press-1-for-english]

Groeten vriend! Dat is een heel mooie revolver die iedereen, waar dan ook, trots zou zijn om te bezitten.

Greetings friend! That is a very nice revolver that anyone, anywhere would be proud to own.

 

[robvious]

You have acquired a splendid revolver... the 3 inch CS-1 686 are smooth and robust. The grips are correct, magnas would indicate an overrun revolver. Enjoy the Custom Service 686, many will be envious.

 

[kmyers]

Great catch and a nice not as often seen Smith revolver.

 

[Jeroenw114]

So, changed out some parts to make it more me. .500 trigger and hammer, Millett rear sight, target front sight and grips. Now it's the target revolver I wanted. Looking like her big brother 696.
Need to do a little work on the timing and then, shoot it!
(of course I keep all parts and can always go back to original completely)

 

[SmithNut]

So, changed out some parts to make it more me. .500 trigger and hammer, Millett rear sight, target front sight and grips. Now it's the target revolver I wanted. Looking like her big brother 696.
Need to do a little work on the timing and then, shoot it!
(of course I keep all parts and can always go back to original completely)

Nice work!! Love the transformation, I too swap out many of my front sights with Patridge blades,
Knowing that the CS-1 has a 1/10th inch wide front sight you must have had to look around a bit (or had one made) as they are hard to come by.

Here's my CS-3 (later version which had the wider 1/8" wide front sight) and my M696 sporting Patridge front sights..

Enjoy......

 

[Jeroenw114]

Great looking ones! Just only a wooded grip and Patridge blade makes it much more good looking.

Correct, I had to mill a bit off on the sides, just from the piece that inserts in the barrel.

 

[vegasgunhand]

The CS-1 was shipped from S&W in blue and white cardboard boxes. It is stamped 2M, so it was a U.S. Customs field gun. Many sat unfired in offices because they were not very popular with Agents. The Pachmayer grips with the slot to view the serial number are the correct grips.