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.ĭuring the 2nd Generation, the CHARCO (Charter Arms COMPANY), under new management and reorganized, the quality was definitely more spotty and haphazard. 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. Stratford CONN address - ~316000 to ~1,090,000 1970 - ~1991Ģnd Generation - CHARCO, Ansonia Conn adress - 1,090,000 to ? ~1991 - 1999ģrd Generation - CHARTER 2000 - Shelton Conn - 0 to where ever they are today.įrom the 26 pieces in my collection (all 1st Gen) and from dozens more that I've had the opportunity to observed and fondle, 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. CA company founded in 1964, first production pieces of the Undercover model produced in 1965īridgeport CONN address - ~15000 to ~315,000 1967 - 1969 The earliest 1st Gen - ~0 to ~15,000 have NO barrel ADDRESS and s/n is on lower right corner on right side of frame.
#Vintage charter arms undercover 38 special serial number
This is the updated serial number info that I have - based upon around 800 data points
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.įrom 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)Ġ001 - 1,090,000 - ? 1992 - 2000? CHARCO over ANSONIA CONN- markingĠ00001 - to date 2000 - 2011 CHARTER ARMS 2000 over SHELTON CONN marking.
Early production of this generation seems to have been spotty and reputation still lagged. All pieces made during this THIRD generation will be marked with the SHELTON address. In 2000, the company was again reorganized as CHARTER 2000 and relocated to SHELTON CONN. This is the SECOND generation and apparently the period which caused the most damage to the Charter name and reputation. All second generation pieces will be marked on the right side of the barrel with that name and address in two lines. This was the end of the FIRST GENERATION.Īround early 1992, the company was re-organized under new leadership and became known as Charter Arms Company - CHARCO, and was located in ANSONIA CONN. 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 CONNĪround 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. It will help defray some confusion and hopefully help CA owners somewhat: Here is the data I have for Charter Arms, at this date. They'll fit most any holster made for a J frame Smith. Yes, you give up some concealibility, but they're worth the trade-off. I contacted Charter, and was told the current crop of neoprene grips will fit the older guns. The one I've got shoots just fine but with those tiny wooden grips it will batter my knuckles bloody, even with wadcutter loads. The company once again is in the hands of the original family at this time, and although I've never shot one of the current production models, the ones I've looked at seem to be well made. The ones marked as "Charco" and "Charter 2000" are considered "hit and miss" on the quality (if not downright poor). Over the years Charter Arms has been bought and sold several times. To the best of my knowledge there is no real way to tell exactly when a gun was made, other than rough estimate. I've got a Stafford, Conn gun, which is where the factory next moved to. I'm no expert, but as I understand it, Bridgeport was the original home of Charter Arms, so yours is probably one of the older ones.