Charter Arms Undercover .38 Special 5-Shot Revolver, Early Bridgeport CT Marked, 1.8 in Barrel, Steel Frame, DA/SA
This Charter Arms Undercover stands out as an early production example with the Bridgeport, Connecticut barrel address and the company’s one-piece steel frame without a sideplate. It combines a compact 1.8 in barrel with a lightweight alloy grip-frame subassembly, factory literature noting approximately 16 oz, for a trim five-shot .38 Special package. Fixed sights, DA/SA operation, and classic checkered hardwood grips round out a straightforward, durable design made in the United States.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The metal surfaces show moderate handling wear consistent with normal use, with light finish thinning along high edges and minor surface marks. No significant corrosion is observed, and factory markings remain clear and legible. The grips display typical handling wear and remain intact with no major cracks noted.
What's Included
- Charter Arms Undercover .38 Special revolver
The Bridgeport, Connecticut barrel address indicates early, first-generation production. This example uses Charter Arms’ one-piece steel frame with no sideplate and bottom-access lockwork, a hallmark of the design’s simplicity and rigidity.
A lightweight aluminum-alloy grip-frame and trigger-guard subassembly reduces carry weight. Factory literature notes approximately 16 oz with about 6 in overall length and 4 in height, paired with a 1.8 in barrel for compact dimensions.
The revolver operates in double-action/single-action and uses a hammer-block safety. It features a five-shot fluted cylinder, an exposed hammer with a checkered spur, an unshrouded knurled-tipped ejector rod, and a frame-mounted beryllium-copper firing pin.
The steel barrel is button-rifled with eight grooves. Fixed sights include a serrated ramp front and a topstrap groove rear. The round-butt frame wears two-piece checkered hardwood grips with Charter Arms medallions.