686 3" Square Butt? What?

[C&Rcollector]

OK Smith guys!! I have an opportunity to purchase a 686 no dash 3" square butt. It does not come with the box or papers, nor do I have the serial # to confirm with S&W. Sorry I don't have any photos.

As far as I'm concerned S&W never barreled the 686 square butt with a 3". It must have been re-barreled at some point. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I certainly hope I'm wrong as this thing would be rare!

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

[003]

Did you take the grips off, and confirm that it is in fact a square grip? Is it possible that it is round butt with a set of square grips?

[C&Rcollector]

Yes, the frame is certainly a square butt.

[Virus55]

Smith does make a 686 in 3" but you should remove the grip to find out for sure what u got.

[C&Rcollector]

The grips were removed and I confirmed it was a square butt when I saw it.

[kurac]

It should be a round butt if the barrel is less than 4 inches and made before about 1995. I guess anything is possible though. Heck, I don't recall hearing of 3" 686's, 2.5" yes but not 3"

[Virus55]

I dont think its anything rare but your guess is as good as mine at the moment. Ill call my gunsmith at one of my shops and ask him what he thinks. He has done some nice work on my used smiths that I purchased.

[C&Rcollector]

According to the seller, he is the original owner and purchased it around 1983-1985. He can't remember exactly.

I confirmed in person it is a square butt and a 3" barrel.

If anyone else has anything to add it would be greatly appreciated.

[C&Rcollector]

That would be great. Thank you!

I dont think its anything rare but your guess is as good as mine at the moment. Ill call my gunsmith at one of my shops and ask him what he thinks. He has done some nice work on my used smiths that I purchased.

[Virus55]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757769_-1_757767_757751_image

bottom of the page

[C&Rcollector]

That is a round butt though.

[Virus55]

That is a round butt though.

I agree. Just showing that they did make a 3" barrel 686

cant get us a pnoto of it huh?

[ptgarcia]

Did you check with the collectors over at smith-wessonforum.com?

[C&Rcollector]

Nope. I thought I'd give Calguns a shot first.

[Garand1911]

Could be a special run by S&W for some LEO/MIL customer.
I doubt a rebarrel, just because it would be hard to come up with a 3" barrel to swap with.

Any other marking on the gun?
Like an "M" or "CS-1" or "CS-3"

see this thread

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/110827-smith-wesson-686-cs-3-a.html