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The only 13 I see in the book that's a .38 is the 13-4 for the Thailand Police with a serrated back & forestrap. Does it have any of these features?

Could be special order or used a frame for making a 10 or barrel/cylinder swap?

Are you sure about the Serial Number???

I'm not accustomed to seeing a letter in front of the K.

Also is it really in the 800,000 series - as that does sound odd as well.

If it was a 9K88xxx that would put it around '76 just prior to the 13-2. The dash one was only going for 3 years or so.

Mismarked frame?

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SV,14,17,21,28,29,39,66,586

Two officers I worked with years ago had M-13's with .38 Special marked on barrels. Each chambered and fired .357 Magnums with no issues.

I wonder if it is a mis-marked frame. I have a M-27 that is marked as a 28, and it looks like the factory added a light "7" over the "8." Why would anyone want a M-13 chambered for .38, when one can get a M-10HB? The heat treating is the only difference I can think of.

Another one of those head scratchers S&W did.

Model 13 chambered for 38 spl is called a Model 10 with heavy barrel.

"There were four holes on the grip bottom that looked like nail holes. The dealer seemed to think there was some sort of security plate attached to the grips to prevent removal. Of course the plate was not still attached."

Years ago, it was common to see revolvers with buttplates attached to the grips. Many were brass and had the S&W logo engraved on them. These buttplates were very popular with police officers and deputies in the Birmingham, Alabama area in the 1970s and '80s.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

A head scratcher for sure. D8823XX would be circa '76-'77 and a proper s/n for a fixed-sight model 13-1 . . . not sure where the "K" came from.

Only a factory letter would confirm if was a special-ordered chambering in .38 Special.

Russ

I'd venture to say it's likely a PD trade-in of some sort. When the M13 was the FBI gun, alot of departments wanted the same thing. Just like today, some departments will come up with some off the wall decisions, like "it has to be .38 special though, because the liabiltiy of the .357 magnum is too much".

You'd logically think, "Why not just buy a Model 10?" and you'd be right. But it's a Model 10, and not the Model 13, like the FBI is using. So the customer always being right, and S&W gives them exactly what they want. A Model 13 in .38 special.

I wouldn't have any clue as to it being "rare" or not. Neat? Heck yeah! I would think it's worth owning for the very reason that it's odd. Not to mention a fantastic gun in it's own right. In it's condition, it's an odd-ball you can shoot and enjoy, and still have a great working man's gun that's a great conversation piece. I wouldn't pay more than a couple bucks premium on it though, due to it's condition.

One possible way to tell if this is a mis-stamped model 10 or a true .38 Special model 13 is the 13 will have a longer cylinder and shorter/flat bottomed forcing cone.

I'm guessing the "K" in the SN prefix is a mis-stamp, or added post-sale. The frame may have been meant for a target-sighted gun, then someone in the production line changed their mind.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Howdy,
Who knows? It could be a parts gun.
I once broke up an old PPC gun and put it back together out of parts from other models.
Good luck
Mike

I would guess it's been re-barreled/re-cylindered or it's mismarked on the frame.

Makes no sense to have a 38 spl model 13 when the exact same gun is the model 10 with heavy barrel

When My dad passed I got his 38 Smith @ Wesson police special. He was in the San Diego California Harbor Police for 20 years. (Retired) It says on the frame, Made in the USA. Marcas Registrauas. Smith @ Wesson. Springfield, Mass. On the bottom of the handle on the frame it has a number. k 93425. On the barrel it has, 38 S@W SPECIAL CTG. On the other side of the barrel is says SMITH@ WESSON. In front of the chamber on the frame it has G 5 and under it, It has the numbers 39791 On the chamber it has the number39791. It has what looks to be Oak checkered grips with the S@W logo in what looks to be gold on both sides of it. It has a diamond around the screw retainer. It has some, But very little erosion at the hammer location and some bluing missing at the very front of the barrel. I have fired it at a range and it is very accurate and I used S@W 38 S P L +P AMMO. Maybe this will help with some of the question I see on this Gun

I also have a 13-1 in .38 spl that's like new in box

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heres more pics of the pistol

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