Charter Arms Serial Number Year
Jan 04, 2016 Charter Arms Serial Number? Shot Charter Arms Target Bulldog in.357 Magnum. I haven't been able to find any serial number lookup to find out what year.
I have my wife's First Generation Charter Arms Undercover in 38 Special 3' Barrel model and it's very good to excellent shape. All Original grips with the Scroll Tags & no dings at all in the grips and the bluing is all intact other than a little fading with age. No rust or pitting anywhere on this one.
Serial # 250XXX range which from my estimate would be around 1967. Inside the barrel is very good and shiny. Everything functions great on this revolver. Barrel is marked 'CHARTER ARMS CORP BRIDGEPORT CONN' on the right side and 'UNDERCOVER.38 SPL' on the left side. I hear that the First Generations are about the best made of the Charter Arms Revolvers and this one is a good example of a nice & clean Undercover model. Very few wear marks other than a little wear where the wheel has cycled. This gun has been fired very little.
The pictures should give a good example of the condition. I would like some opinions on value, date of manufacture & any other information the experts here may have on this gun, Thanks a lot for looking and here are a dozen pics to evaluate.
Click to expand.Yeah, that's what I have heard. And we are happy to have this one. My wife has had it since the 70's and said she has fired it and really likes it. She hasn't fired it much and I can tell that by the looks of the bore, it is in really nice shape. I haven't fired it yet but I sure like the looks of it and it has a pretty good feel to it. We are wanting to get a value on it as we are adding it to our insurance so if anyone out there can give us a value and any other information including date of manufacture I would appreciate it very much. Jim Hauff, you there?, or anyone else with some knowledge on this please give me some input on this piece!!!
Much appreciated. Click to expand.Thanks StoneChimney, I was thinking the value would be around what you stated but would it being a 3' barrel model maybe bring it up $50 or so? These are a little harder to find I have found and thought maybe it may increase value some. And I also would like to know if this pistol was made in 1967 like I am thinking. I know that it's a First Generation but not sure if I have the date of manufacture correct, I cant seem to find anything corresponding to a date on it and I have looked everywhere online that I can think of.
Again, Serial # is 2508XX range. And would this one be considered one of the better made Charter Arms Revolvers?
Hope I am not asking too much here but I am really curious, any more added opinions and info is appreciated, Thank You. USNative, I've been collecting and researching the 1st Generation CHARTER ARMS, INC.
Revolvers for the past 7 years. My data base indicates your UNDERCOVER was made in the Spring of 1973. I've purchased 26 CAs of different models during those years and have been keeping tabs on the RETAIL pricing. Stone Chimney has give you, what I feel, is the correct full RETAIL value, maybe 10 to 20 bucks higher on a good day in the right place. The 3' barrel UCs are much more scarce than the 2' pieces and do command a bit more in price. Here's a copy of my current research (rough) notes based upon around 2000 data points.
IF anyone has a 1st or 2nd (CHARCO) revolver, I would appreciate hearing from you with serial number, model and barrel length and any documentation of date of purchase, etc. To help fill in my research.
I intend to rewrite the Charter Arms, Inc. Section for the 'BLUE BOOK', hopefully next year, but need much more data. The very first Charter Arms Corporation production began in 1965 in BRIDGEPORT CONN - earliest pieces - mostly Undercover model will have either NO address on the right side of the barrel or will have BRIDGEPORT CONN Around 1974, address was changed to STRATFORD CONN - all pieces made after mid 1974 will be marked with that address on the right side of the barrel and all will have CHARTER ARMS CORP. As the first line. Sometime in 1991, Charter Arms Corp.
Ceased operations. This was the end of the FIRST GENERATION. Around mid 1991 (may be as early as 1988????), the company was re-organized under new leadership and became known as Charter Arms Company - CHARCO, and was located in ANSONIA CONN. All second generation pieces will be marked on the right side of the barrel with that name and address in two lines. This is the SECOND generation and apparently the period which caused the most damage to the Charter name and reputation. In 2000, the company was again reorganized as CHARTER 2000 and relocated to SHELTON CONN.
All pieces made during this THIRD generation will be marked with the SHELTON address. Early production of this generation seems to have been spotty and reputation still lagged. About a year and a half ago, the company re-reorganized under the direction of MKS Marketing and seems now to be if not flourishing at least it is progressing in quality and market share.
From the limited data set that I have been able to assemble so far the following serialization seems to be valid: (NOTE: model name and caliber will be stamped on left side of barrel on all pieces) FIRST GENERATION 0001 - 1,090,000 -??? CHARCO over ANSONIA CONN- marking THIRD GENERATION 000001 - to date 2000 - 2011 CHARTER ARMS 2000 over SHELTON CONN marking. This is the updated (6/11) serial number info that I have - based upon around 950 data points The earliest 1st Gen - 0 to 13,500 have NO barrel ADDRESS and s/n is on lower right corner on right side of frame. CA company founded in 1964, first production pieces of the Undercover model produced in 1965 Bridgeport CONN address - 13,500 to 315,000 1967 - 1974 Stratford CONN address - 315,000 to 1,090,000 1974 - 1991 All marked as Charter Arms Corporation 2nd Generation - CHARCO, Ansonia Conn address - 1,090,000 to??? 1991 - 1996? 3rd Generation - CHARTER 2000 - Shelton Conn - 0 to where ever they are today.
2007 Charter Arms/ MKS From the 26 pieces in my collection (all 1st Gen) and from dozens more that I've had the opportunity to observe and handle, I'd say that around s/n 600,000 the finish was made a lot finer - although the integrals (lock work, action) was at least as good as the earlier ones. I have or have read magazine articles that cover pretty much of the production life of the 1st Generation, and during that period (around late 1980, early 1981) it seems that CA attempted to capture more of the market by doing so, also in April of 1981, they introduced Stainless Steel revolvers into the mix, for the first time. Some of the articles lamented that the earlier pieces, although rough finish, were rather inexpensive (60-65% of S&W) and when CA began their 'modernization' process, the finishes got better but the prices increased to about 85 to 90% of the S&W line for comparable models. During the 2nd Generation, the CHARCO (Charter Arms COMPANY), under new management and reorganized, the quality was definitely more spotty and haphazard. I've seen CHARCO produced guns with Stratford marked barrels, obviously using up old stock. The earliest CHARTER 2000 pieces I had the opportunity to handle (some fairly early 4 digits s/ns - were uniformly, poorly fitted and finished and had some horrendous and gritty actions.
That seems to have been rectified under MKS's (circa 2007) new leadership and the most recent pieces I've handled - s/n's in the high 100,000 range have been 'decent' but not as fine in finish and action as the mid years of the 1st Generation. This is simply my studied opinion based upon experience. Wow Jim, what a wealth of information you gave me here and Thank You Sir!:thumbsup: I can see where I goofed up on my estimate of year of manufacture.
Our particular gun has a higher 6 digit serial up towards the end of the run for First Gen which brings the date up considerably from the lower numbers & 1973 seems about right based upon your data, but I am still pleased that we have the earlier First Gen model. I think I can pretty much get a good idea of where we are with this revolver by the great information provided very kindly on your part (and StoneChimney's) and I thank you again sir for posting this.
I do not have a CHARCO version of this gun personally as this is the only Charter Arms gun we have, But if I run across anyone with one in first or second gen of that particular gun I will bend over backwards to help you out with the information you seek. I hope maybe someone may stumble onto my thread here and help you with what you need Jim, thanks again for your help! I think it would be wise to put back nib and nicer early charter arms. They are getting scarce in nice shape and will become collectable. The 22 pathfinders are already hard to find in mint condition. I can remember when no one Wanted H&R revolvers and now they are pretty collectable.
I myself love the early charters. I am a fan of american made and the underdog guns.
I get kind of sick of hearing how great smith and colt are when my charter shoots just as good a patern for hundreds less $. Don't get me wrong, I love smiths and colts. I just think people unfairly judge charters. I think it would be wise to put back nib and nicer early charter arms. They are getting scarce in nice shape and will become collectable. The 22 pathfinders are already hard to find in mint condition.
I can remember when no one Wanted H&R revolvers and now they are pretty collectable. I myself love the early charters. I am a fan of american made and the underdog guns. I get kind of sick of hearing how great smith and colt are when my charter shoots just as good a patern for hundreds less $.
Don't get me wrong, I love smiths and colts. I just think people unfairly judge charters. Click to expand. I can't blame you there Jim, if it were mine I wouldn't shoot it either. It seems to me that as hard as it is to get info on these guns that they are getting more rare or people who own them aren't coming forward with any information on them.
I will keep my ears open for any owners of these guns and share what I can when I can (with owners permission of course). I wonder why it's so hard to get info on these? It seems to me that there were plenty of them made throughout the years. The Firearms Forum is on online community for all gun enthusiasts. Join us to discuss firearms of all kinds, gun accessories, legal issues and more. Membership is free and we welcome all types of shooters, whether you're a novice or a pro.
Come for the info, stay and make some friends. Site Functions. Useful Links.
Support the site! We work hard to bring the best Firearms Forum has to offer! Unlock additional features, and fewer ads while browsing. Consider upgrading your membership for less than a box of bullets!
A friend's Grandmother showed me her blued Charter Arms.38 Undercover. Serial number is in the 48XXX range.
The little revolver has been sitting in its bag for years upon years. When I opened the action a shower of black soot and grime tumbled out. But after cleaning it up the gun's deep graphite-colored luster began to show and the action smoothed out nicely. After a cursory inspection it appears to be a solid little gun. Timing and lockup is nice. The action feels positive and functional though a little rough.
The rifling is clean with no pitting or rust. The wooden grips look to be the originals and are actually very comfortable. Nonetheless I recommended that my friends have it looked at by a gunsmith to be sure it is safe to shoot. I assume the gun is not built for +p ammo.
I suggested they get themselves some basic 158 HP ammo for it - provided of course that it is deemed range-worthy. I am hoping someone can give me a little background on these little snubbies and the company itself.
Perhaps someone can give me a ballpark year on when this model was manufactured based on serial number range. What can I look for to determine if it is still safe and functional. As long as it doesn't have the barrel shroud it might be an OK handgun.
Charter Arms Serial Number Search
Early guns were rough as cobs and not very accurate but they seem to work reliably. Middle era guns with the shrouded barrels were horrible, rough as cobs, not very accurate and the barrel shrouds had a nasty habit of unscrewing and falling off after very few shots had been fired, usually less than two boxes of standard ammunition, much less if the shooter insisted on plus p ammo. I have always felt the best Charter guns were the early unshrouded.44 Special Bulldogs and to tell the truth they were really nothing special either. I have an old model Charter Arms Undercover.38, and it's the second one I've owned. I carry it a lot, and shoot it little.
It's my second choice (Smith & Wesson is first) for this size of revolver. I've fired a handful of 148 gr. +P ammunition.
Gun probably wasn't made for +P's, but I don't think this limited quantity hurt it. I practice with standard pressure ammo and carry 158 gr. The Corbon DPX came out as a standard pressure load, but their web site now lists it as +P. In a non+P load, I'd use either the Federal Nyclad 125 gr. Hollowpoint or Federal 158 gr. Lead semi-wadcutter. Sounds like she has one of the original Charter Arms Undercovers.
They were some great little guns. Although they're not +p rated an ocassional cylinder or three of +p's wouldn't really harm the gun.
The original Charter Arms folded because of lack of sale when the hi capacity 9mm craze took over. The second incarnation (Charco) was no where near the quality of the original Charter Arms. The company went under pretty quick. The third incarnation (Charter 2000) got off to a bad start. The quality control was hit or miss. They filed chapter 11.
The guns had great potential. Between my dad and myself, we owned several of the original Charter Arms guns. We run thousands of rounds through those little guns with nary a problem. I bought a new Charter Arms Undercover around 1970 or so, for (I think) about $78.00. It was a fine little revolver, very accurate and a pleasure to shoot.
Shelton, CT
I recently gave it to an Uncle of mine who needed a small revolver for personal defense and I didn't want to part with my J-frame Smiths, or Colt snubbies. If it's an original 'Charter Arms Undercover' (as opposed to the later, Charco junk) you have a keeper. Enjoy it, shoot non +P's for pleasure and I always kept +P's in mine when I used it for concealed carry.
My experience is much like Ala Dan's. I had an early Undercover, purchased because I couldn't afford a DS or M-36 at the time. I didn't shoot +Ps in it, although I know those who did a certain amount of practice with them because that's what they carried in theirs. Can't say how well theirs held up to it, though. Most of the time that I carried it, it was loaded with standard pressure 158 gr.
Charter Arms
Nyclad SWCs (then made by S&W, now by Federal) standard pressure loads. I later switched to their 125 gr. HP designed and marketed for snubbies as the 'Chief's Special' load. Practice was with 158 gr. SWC reloads, and I did quite a bit of it without any unusual wear or problems.
Mine was quite accurate, and a breeze to carry at about 18 oz loaded and with Pachmayr Compac grips installed. It was still in great mechanical shape when I traded it off in a moment of weakness Wish I still had it.
One could do much worse in a.38 snubbie. Similar stories here. I tried to take mine apart, according to an NRA article, and ended up sending it back to Charter Arms. They went through it, sent it back better than when they got it, PLUS sent a bunch of window stickers and a pistol rug!
GREAT service! I also have shot many types of ammo through it. I've tried the +P Starfires and keep it loaded with those. Also tried the Nyclad.
Good results with both, but it IS loaded with +P as my 'nightstand gun'. Did I mention I bought a new Gun Vault 'MULTI' to keep it in.?
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Although The High Road has attempted to provide accurate information on the forum, The High Road assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. All information is provided 'as is' with all faults without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. Neither The High Road nor any of its directors, members, managers, employees, agents, vendors, or suppliers will be liable for any direct, indirect, general, bodily injury, compensatory, special, punitive, consequential, or incidental damages including, without limitation, lost profits or revenues, costs of replacement goods, loss or damage to data arising out of the use or inability to use this forum or any services associated with this forum, or damages from the use of or reliance on the information present on this forum, even if you have been advised of the possibility of such damages.