Gentlemen-

I have need of a replacement barrel for a S & W M13, Lightweight revolver that has a hole burnt through the right side.

What are my options starting w/an NOS to, yer SOL.

hyrax222

What is a model 13 "lightweight" revolver?

Model 12 Military?

__________________
Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

If you look for a barrel that has a close serial number to the damaged one, or to the frame, it should be of the proper type. It may have .38 Airweight or .38 S & W SPL. stamped on the right side.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I think "M13" is the military designation, not the S&W model number.... Kinda like M14 rifle, M556 tracked vehicle, etc.
That said - a hole burned in the barrel? Was it demilled?
I'd look on Ebay and the usual parts sources, like Numrich or Brownell's. Also check Poppert's, Slink's, and SARCO Inc.

post up a pic or 3 on hole burned in barrel. inquiring minds want to know. cracked forcing cone/with pic. krs

Attached Images

pix174961807.jpg (103.4 KB, 251 views)

__________________
Too good

Probably the Air Force Aircrewman revolver.
Aircrewman Revolvers

__________________
Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

20210628_103027.jpg

20210628_102458.jpg

20210628_103039.jpg

20210628_105053.jpg

20210628_103450.jpg

Holey Moley! My first thought is that someone wanted to make sure it wasn't shot anymore, but it seems they would have done something other than that hole for that purpose.

Steel termites? I'll be looking for an answer from one of our knowledgeable members, since obviously that's not me.

Thanks for posting the pictures, they really are worth quite a few words.

They were destroyed by the USAF by cutting, crushing or torching. Quite a few escaped somehow but most didn't.

__________________
Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

So that is what they mean when they say "stay away from hot rounds on your airweight snubs"

Wow! That will be the easiest demil restoration ever.

I'm never that lucky. What a piece of history you have there.

Well, the barrel could be replaced, but I wonder if it is wise to do so. It's definitely all original now, even though it is unusable, but the aluminum cylinder also makes it unusable. You might be spending money to restore it and end up losing value.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

Rebarrel and save original...

hyrax222

I do not know how familiar you are with this particular gun, so pardon me if I am stating the obvious. The S&W model 12 (USAF M13) was an aluminum mid size framed revolver, early versions like yours (or at least it looks like it from the pics) also had an aluminum cylinder. They are considered UNSAFE TO SHOOT, seriously. That's why they got destroyed.

You could re-barrel yours but it would still be unsafe to shoot unless you have a gunsmith install a steel cylinder. A new cylinder is not a drop-in part and would need to be fitted. Another issue is that they were known to crack the frame right underneath the barrel, and that it is likely to crack when installing a new barrel.

It is cool as-is, probably not worth turning it into something it's not...

__________________
Daniel.

Thanks for the warnings! I am aware of all the caviats.
A resoration has been requested by owner. He is well aware of dangers involved in firing. He would like it returned to what it was.

I just need a correct barrel...

hyrax222

Try posting a WTB ad here, or look on the websites of parts suppliers.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Alan- Thanks for the tip.

hyrax222

That ain't too bad. I could fix that with duck tape.

Attached Images

20210628_102458.jpg (139.8 KB, 634 views)

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

The Model 12 barrel should fit but the right side rollstamp will say Airweight above the caliber.
A Model 10 barrel will have a more similar caliber stamp as the torched one and thread into the frame but since the Model 12 had a longer cylinder at the front the Model 10 barrel would need to have its forcing cone shortened unless you pair it with a Model 10 steel cylinder.

On a side note these frames are extremely thin in the yoke cut and prone to cracking at the barrels 6 o clock position.

Ps... It might be well advised to either remove the firing pin or grind it flush to ensure it doesn't get fired by some future owner.

Thanks for the information, Engine49!

hyrax222

The "Correct" barrel for your will be stamped on the left side "Aircrewman" over " Smith & Wesson" as your gun is a demilled military Model M13. The civilian versions, Model 12 airweight, are stamped "Airweight" , not "Aircrewman" Finding an undamaged Aircrewman barrel will be extremely difficult and it will not be numbered to your gun. Actually, your gun has more value as is, to a collector. It's one of the least demilled examples I've ever seen. The Airforce's problem with the M13s is not the aluminum cylinder but cracks developing in the frame , usually around the forcing cone. If, however, you are deterimend to "restore" your Aircrewman, weld up the hole, polish it, recut the barrel lands & grooves, and reblue it. Much cheaper than the cost of a correct replacement barrel, which you will grow old before you find one. Ed

Who is able to weld, recut grooves and finish?

hyrax222

Turnbull Restoration. Here is their link: Turnbull Restoration Company, Inc.

Charlie

__________________
Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Lee, you have any J-B Weld laying around?

Joking of course...

__________________
Rather be outdoors

Jist tossing more options out there
Maybe you could also replace the barrel with a Model 10 barrel and have
Aircrewman engraved in the same font?

No need to fix it, that's the extra rare "ported" model for keeping the barrel on target when you are swinging to the right!

I never thought of a special porting for Right Wingers!

Ivan

Any porting in a storm!

But the port side is on the left!!!

You are a Star on this Board.


Seriously, wouldn't it make sense to have this gun lettered before doing anything to it??


That was my first reaction.

Agree with the other members that best to leave well enough alone with hole in barrel. Any alteration at this point will destroy collector value. If owner wants a shooter buy a M12 Air weight.

I was shocked to learn that my sister was shooting her father in law's "FrankenCrewman" that had a warped sideplate, a ****** British barrel, and couldn't hit a bull in the butt at five feet. I told her that the gun was unsafe and gave her a Victory updated to Model 10 instead. I kept the M13 as a wallhanger and over time gathered correct-ish parts, including a period correct .38 SPL 2" blue steel barrel with the lazy ampersand. It's back together and mechanically functional but I have no intention of shooting it.

The whole sordid story here: Aircrewman revisited

Gila's M13 Franken Crewman.jpg M13 topstrap.jpg

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

I have a replacement barrel! Soon to get it assembled onto Lightweight frame! Pics to follow!

hyrax222

Just curious, what is the going rate for a Civilian Model 12, typical use and correct stocks? No box, or kit or papers, just a shooter. I picked up a used one about 20 years ago on the cheap! Been thinking of thinning the herd.

Ivan

Come on? Duct tape - really?!?

That's gonna need some JB Weld obviously.....

__________________
AKA- Da Plummah
CANCER SUCKS!

The JB Weld and duct tape suggestions may help in barrel integrity, but before shooting I would recommend running a 3/8" drill down the bore to restore accuracy......Ben

__________________
Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

That’s what I was thinking when I read Lee’s post. Then one of my sadder gun memories came to mind. A few years ago I saw a Model 52 that was so badly corroded the owner was asking about refinishing it with Bondo and spray paint. Never did hear what eventually happened to the poor thing.

Is it possible that that is a bullet hole? What a story that would be - how my Aircrewman saved my life without ever being drawn from the holster. Like one of those deals where a pocket bible or a zippo lighter intercepted an otherwise fatal bullet.

Sure doesn't look like a demil.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

__________________
NRA Benefactor Member

My Optician advised me to avoid discount eye surgery. I would extend that wisdom to discount barrel porting.

__________________
"Don't Give Up the Ship"

Best of luck with the barrel instal, hyrax222. Other than that I can only say, if it were mine I would keep it as is, but then I have a nice RB pre-12 for playing. It's amazing it is in the condition it is in.

FWIW, I picked this 12-2 up last year in a local pawn shop for $325 OTD. Ship date of 1976. Correct grips, no box or papers.

The nickel is not in great shape, but it shoots well.

Attached Images

	1417EBEF-578B-40BC-8D67-2D4FAA514872.jpg (69.2 KB, 19 views)
	82EABD4F-39BE-4808-BA34-D50C0F7025CE.jpg (73.6 KB, 11 views)

__________________
Danny
SWCA #3370 - SWHF #672

I bought mine around 2000 for $169 OTD

Ivan

Looks like a redneck porting job. Luckily it doesn’t have quad ports.

__________________
213th FBINA

I have a friend who brought a 38 Airweight to the range a couple years ago. As I was looking at it, I opened the cylinder and looked at the frame under the barrel and there is was. A fine hairline crack starting at the front of the frame and going half-way through the frame. He sent it off to S&W and they happily sent him a new 686 in exchange.

I might have missed reference above to this issue, but wanted to tell you to very carefully check the frame under the barrel! They often crack there. Clean the area and grab a magnifying loop and under strong light, check the frame.

Another issue at work here is dissimilar metals. Aluminum and steel put together can and will corrode together. I would venture to guess that there is a very real possibility that you will break the frame before you break the barrel free to unscrew it! Even in a frame vise, the force needed to break free corroded threads may be more than the frame can stand.

I think the gun would be worth more to a gun or military collector just the way it is rather than with a miss-matched barrel as a shooter.

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

20211130_120802.jpg

20211130_121247.jpg

20211130_121320.jpg

20211130_120936.jpg

[QUOTE=hyrax222;141319489]Attachment 545462




Well done! I would have tried too! Say "nay" to the naysayers!

__________________
When words fail, music speaks.