CS-1: Real or Bogus??

[Rodan]

I have been in search of a 3" CS-1 for some time, and was watching this auction on GB, which closed the other day: GB Auction - 3" CS-1

Note that the gun was not listed specifically as a CS-1, though it initially presents as one. However, on closer examination, a few things seemed 'off'...

First, the shape of the front of the frame. This particular gun has a square cut where the barrel and frame meet.

Gun in question:

'Proper' CS-1:

My 2.5" M686 has a square cut like the gun in this auction, so I'm wondering if it may be a CS-1 barrel on a 2.5" frame?

Another discrepancy is the location of the "CS-1" stamp in the frame. The gun in question has the "CS-1" squeezed in between the serial number and model stamping.

On those CS-1s with the serial number stamped here, most I've seen have had the "CS-1" stamped on top, with the serial number below, and there is generally a longer space between the "CS" and the "1".

Being wary of the above issues, I did not bid on this gun. It went pretty cheap for a CS-1 at $1425, but that's too much for a 'copy', if that's what it is.

So, any CS-1 experts have any thoughts?

 

[SAFireman]

It doesn't look right to me.....

 

[PatriotX]

Looking at the auction gun, the number “1” has a serif, like the font used on this forum.

“Proper” gun has a sans-serif number.

I’m away from my safe, so cannot compare to reference examples currently.

 

[Rodan]

Looking at the auction gun, the number “1” has a serif, like the font used on this forum.

“Proper” gun has a sans-serif number.

That's a good catch, and something I missed...

Here's another 'true' CS-1, also 'sans' serif:

 

[Hawg Rider]

I'm also trying to get my hands on a 3" CS-1, so I'm glad this Thread was posted. PatriotX is one of our Forum gurus when it comes to 686s, so pay attention. The one I'm looking at is stamped the same as Rodan's example. I believe the s/n should also be something like ALNxxxx from 1988. ALV is pretty close.

 

[murphydog]

As an SWCA member, with the serial number you could Ask Roy Jinks on the member forum and see if it a factory CS-1.

 

[robvious]

barrel frame detail images of a CS-1 2M 3 inch 686.. with box... hope this helps

and wrong grips on yours.. these are correct.

I stood next to my late father when he purchased it a gunshow NIB from a FFL.. so it is 100%

 

[ElectroMotive]

"If there is doubt, than there is no doubt."

 

[Rodan]

barrel frame detail images of a CS-1 2M 3 inch 686.. with box... hope this helps

and wrong grips...

Thanks for posting. Those are consistent with the other 'known' CS-1s I have seen.

"If there is doubt, than there is no doubt."

If there's one thing I've learned with S&Ws it's 'never say never'...

 

[jughed440]

For reference, this is a genuine CS-1.
The front sight of a CS-1 is narrower than a standard sight. 1/10" vs. 1/8", if i remember correctly.

 

[Rodan]

For reference, this is a genuine CS-1.

Thanks for posting. Another example with the frame scallop and "CS 1" on top and with wide spacing.

The front sight of a CS-1 is narrower than a standard sight. 1/10" vs. 1/8", if i remember correctly.

I read on a thread here that there were some later CS-1s with the 1/8" front sight, but you are correct that the initial spec and production were the 1/10" front sight.

 

[PatriotX]

Thanks for posting. Another example with the frame scallop and "CS 1" on top and with wide spacing.



I read on a thread here that there were some later CS-1s with the 1/8" front sight, but you are correct that the initial spec and production were the 1/10" front sight.

I believe the CS3 had the 1/8” front sight.

 

[xfarfuldog]

Thanks for the post. I bid on this gun and was the high bidder for a few days. I have owned CS1s in the past. I felt something was a little funny about this particular gun but couldn't put my finger on exactly what. I will be a little more discerning on my future bids.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Mine is stamped like the others posted with the CS-1 on top. Proper ones have 1/10th sight as far as I can remember. My two, I sold one here on the forum, didn't have the pacs but regular wood mangas. As I recall from reading several CS-1 posts in the past, there were overruns that went out to dealers. I got two of them within weeks of each other at two different gun show. I had never seen one prior to that and have not seen another since.

 

[jughed440]

Mine is stamped like the others posted with the CS-1 on top. Proper ones have 1/10th sight as far as I can remember. My two, I sold one here on the forum, didn't have the pacs but regular wood mangas. As I recall from reading several CS-1 posts in the past, there were overruns that went out to dealers. I got two of them within weeks of each other at two different gun show. I had never seen one prior to that and have not seen another since.

The one i posted above was lettered to a distributor in Florida, which is why the box was still with it. It was shipped with Magnas. Can't recall the distributor's name...the letter went with the gun back when i traded it.
Edit to add...it was also a gun show find, and neither the dealer nor I, at that time, knew what it was.

 

[Bruceboy]

My CS 1 is very close to jughed' 440 as it's ser.# is AYD49XX & it made it all the way up to Canada.

Al

 

[clang444]

I took a look at my CS-1 and can confirm the differences between the auction gun and what is typical for a CS-1.

Mine has a stepped frame.

It also has the original Pachmayr Compac grips with escutcheons and a window to see the SN on the bottom of the grip frame.

The SN starts with BABxxxx. The SN is not marked on the frame under the crane with the CS 1 marking. It also has "2 M" stamped in the middle very sloppily and "686" on the bottom of the area.

1/10" wide front sight.

Smooth trigger. It looks like someone tried polishing the auction gun's trigger, but may have left some marks from the serrations on it.


Sans Serif "1" stamp on the CS 1 marking

The inside of my crane is marked with a 4 digit assembly number as opposed to the auction gun with 2 lines.

The rear sight on the auction gun almost looks stainless steel in some pics. Mine is definitely black.

It's a long shot, but this could be a prototype CS-1 as the SN puts it as a late 1987 manufacture. I wouldn't bet on it though.

 

[Just1more68]

I bought this gun

I am the guy who won this auction. I was really just looking for 3” K frame and saw this and it seemed nice as it was unfired. The pictures on the auction were not great and I didn’t even know about the CS-1 models till now. The front sight does measure .10 inch. The rear sight is stainless. The barrel is slightly canted. The trigger is very polished with some tool marks on the side. The action is very nice and smooth. It was a little more than I wanted to spend but I think it was fair seeing what all the no-lock Smiths are going for. I will be calling S&W today to see about the recall and to get the barrel aligned.
I attached some pictures I hope. This is my first post. I also have a m66 4”.

 

[Rodan]

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for posting in this thread!

Congratulations on what will be an excellent and very unique shooter.

I'm going to stick with my initial assessment that this was originally a 2.5" 686, and the 3" CS barrel was added later as part of some custom work. The rear sight is very interesting, as I don't think stainless sights were ever used on a 686. You might try a magnet on the rear sight to see if it is in fact stainless. The rear sight is pretty easy to remove with the right size screwdriver. If it is stainless, it likely came from an early M66 or 67.

Ultimately, lettering the gun would answer definitively if it was originally produced with that barrel.

 

[Just1more68]

I plan on getting the lettering. It is definitely an odd ball. It truly has never been fired. Not a mark on it. Top strap is spotless. Which is kinda a bummer cause I prefer to shoot vs safe queen.