Mike,
I will try to answer some of your questions.
The first shipment of 250, New Model No. 3's, with a 7" barrel & shoulder stocks were shipped from the factory in twelve tin-lined wood crates holding twenty guns each & one crate containing 10, to M.W. Robinson for the Australian Government on December 14, 1881. They were received by SA in March 1882.
You mentioned the serial number on yours is 131xx. If I had the entire serial number it would be easier to find it in the shipping records for you.
Crates containing 20 each were numbered 1948 - 1959 & the crate containing 10 was 1962.
Crates containing revolvers beginning with 131xx:
Crate 1950: 13181, 13182, 13190, 13191, 13192, 13194 (which I own), 13198 & 13199.
Crate 1958: 13100
Crate 1962: 13183, 13185 & 13188
After being received by the Australian Government, the revolver and stock received their mark of ownership being stamped with the "broad arrow". Shortly after delivery, the government contracted for the production of leather holsters. According to the author of this information, Major C. W. Pate, These holsters were stamped with the broad arrow and what appears to be a separate numbering series. The holsters were not from S&W.
Other revolvers with 131xx numbers shipped at a later date are:
13184 shipped 11/19/87, shipping destination of SA or WA unknown .
13153, 131158, 131179 shipped 09/22/83 to WA.
13183 shipped 12/14/81 to SA.
13195 shipped 12/04/83 to WA.
In addition to the original 250, 7" shouldered stocked revolvers ordered, there were 30, 6-1/2" barrel, not cut for shoulder stock ordered. Then there were an addition of 33, 7" revolvers, ordered at a later date. This would make a total of 313 revolvers sent.
I hope this answers a few questions for you.
Dave
Attached are photos of mine, revolver serial number 13194 shipped in crate #1950 and shoulder stock no. 12426 shipped in crate #1948.
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