Here is mine. It has the 2M mark. The finish is "bead blasted".
I paid $250 for it 5 years ago, purchased from a retired Detroit LEO.
I think it spent most of its life in Windsor at the Border.
I have been collecting CS-1 posts from where ever I can find them. I asked about them here 4 or 5 years ago, and have run into other pieces of information over the years.
IIRC Smithnut said there were 3000 3" CS-1's made. Janet Reno destroyed around 1500 of them. Buy it and hang onto it. They won't make any more like that. A 3" 686 is a nice revolver to have. Mine shoots nice (a little low with WWB). If nothing else, they make great trade bait. Enjoy your CS-1. Regards 18DAI.
Has staked front sight. Narrower than std.
The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1 A Post by woodscustom on The Firing Line
The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1
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In 1988, Smith & Wesson, working in conjunction with requests from the US Customs Service, went to work on the greatest combat revolvers of all time. The Smith & Wesson CS-1 (Customs Service 1st Edition), also called by some the "Treasury Model" (U.S. Customs is under the Treasury Dept.).
Using the Famous .357 Magnum L-Frame 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum, S&W hand built 3500 CS-1 revolvers using the following Improvements.
Forged Hammer
Hammer Mounted Firing Pin
Pinned Sear on Hammer
Forged Trigger
No Internal Lock
3" barrel that allows the use of a Full Length ejector rod unlike the 2 ½" Revolvers.
Some were made with 4" barrels for uniformed officers.
Satin Stainless steel finish
Round Butt
Thinner front blade pinned sight
Polished internal surfaces
Modified firing pin bushing for use with High pressure loads.
Tightened tolerances
When Janet Renoe took office as Attorney General, the US Customs service made an ill advised switch from Revolvers to the SIG semi Auto. Upon implementation, Janet Renoe ordered the destruction of 1500 of the 3500 S&W CS-1 Revolvers less they fall into Civilian hands. 2000 of these revolvers were sold to US Customs agents for personal use. As of this day, these are the only CS-1 Revolvers in existence.
The Smith & Wesson CS-1 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum, is known far and wide to be the finest Smith & Wesson Revolver ever made.
With todays Prices, look to find them between $700 and $1400 Depending if it is NEW IN BOX (NIB) or used.
Ron In MD
Most dealers will not deviate from the bluebook, and will be on the low side due to turning a profit, (Business)
The Custom Service 686's have a uniqueness and are a step above the standard production weapon with refinement, also there is a limited supply
of them that is what warrants a premium price.
When these 686s where produced the production had an overrun and that overrun was released to the public unsure of the #. Probably the only way to find out if your CS 686 is an actual Customs Service issued revolver is to have a letter done on it.
Value all depends on market and location, The #s 18DAI posted seemed spot on, I have watched the auction sights and some CS-s have gone higher
but folks do get carried away with bidding also economy and time of year will play a roll on what the value is. Such as tax Refund time some may have extra cash etc? I was able to cure my itch for a CS with a 681 and a 3" 65
Sorry for being so wordy
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The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1
Written by "WoodsCustom"
WC
