Hi folks, I have a new and never been shot, model 13-1, nickel plated 357 magnum. been put up in my safe for years. I'm considering selling this gun but to be honest with you, can't find the value of it, as I haven't found one being sold or sold to compare it to. Any help you could give me all of this would be highly appreciated.

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Welcome to the forum.

Do you have the original box, tools and paperwork? Makes a difference in market value.

Alone, that's a $500 to $600 revolver on the market, give or take based on wind currents, if it came from the factory and has remained mechanically sound, and if properly stored and the finish remains pristine.

Factory nickel Model 13 revolvers are scarce or at the very least, uncommon. If in high condition, you can build in a price premium for the finish.
Also, keep in mind there was never a no-dash Model 13. The dash one was the first model built. It was originally produced as a .357 Magnum variant of the Model 10-6, on special order for the NYSP. After the model mark changed, the NYSP ordered about 1200 of them. I believe all of those were blued.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Thanks so much for the replies Hapworth and Jack. I don't have and of the original boxing, hang tags or documentation. My dad had the gun since it was new, always kept in a wool sleeve, and it has remained the same, in my safe for the past 8 years. Never fired unless fired at the factory, never dropped, and the finish is excellent. I'm not in a need to sell mode, I've been considering it.
A guy interested in buying it, said a gun dealer told him it was only worth 400 to 450 max. personally I can't see it that low, but that's why I'm here asking you pro's. I had priced it at 600 to the guy. Just unsure whether to put it away for years to come or ask a higher price. My shooter is a 66-1 so it's not like I'm without anything to fire.

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If you had the box, I'd say $600 is about right, maybe even a tad low, given recent prices. As is, it might be a little bit on the high side, but not much. As I mentioned, the nickel is not common and this one appears to be in very nice shape.
Could you share the serial number with us, so we know actually how early this example is?
It looks like it is wearing Modified Magna stocks (often called PC Magna) which would, I suspect, be right for this gun.
I definitely don't think you should sell it for $400. And if you would let it go for $450 even, I among others would be immediately knocking on your door.
I suggest you hold out for 6 or something close to that, or else keep it.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Just as a comparison, recently my wife decided that I needed a new revolver for the collection. Our favorite LGS had this revolver in the case, and it took about 30 seconds to decide that it needed a new home (our safe!). Anyway, this revolver is stamped 13-2 and the 2 is overstruck with a 3. It is not a P&R, about 95-96% condition, with original stocks (PC Magnas).

This pistol was retail priced at $625.00 and was glad to get it!

I'll see if I can get pictures uploaded at a later time.

To the OP, Hope the sentimental value outways the urge to sell!

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Have Fun, Shoot Safe!
John

@jack... I'm not home but I'm pretty sure it's 76104

Well, it will have a D prefix and 6 numeric digits, so that is probably not the serial number. It may be the assembly number in the yoke area. Look on the butt when you get home.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

It was the assembly number I'm sure Jack. It just stuck out in my mind. I'll post the ser# in just a few. Almost home.

Here ya go 2D607xx

You might consider keeping because it was your dad's gun, especially if you could pass it on to one of your kids as a family heirloom. Plus, it is a truly untraceable gun. That is worth a great deal in our modern spy-on-everything world.

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"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin

Yep Bruce, you are so correct on so many levels, like John said above. I have dad's fist single bbl shotgun, 22 and first 25 auto Beretta mom saved up to buy him. Just waiting for my grandson to grow up, but I'm working every day to slow the clock down on that.

It's worth more than that guy is telling you, that's for sure. Were it a three inch barrel version, with a round butt, you could likely get about $800.00 for it, as those are quite desirable to start with, and then add on the condition and the nickel finish, and $800.00 would be about right. But in the service configuration, like yours, $600.00 seems about right.

Probably shipped in 1977.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

When did S&W manufacture the Model 13? S&W seem to be re-making all the earlier models and reselling as Model 6XX.

The Model 13 was introduced in 1974 and discontinued in 1999. The Model 65 was its stainless analogue, introduced in 1972 and discontinued in 2005.

I just bought a S&W Model 13-1 for $450 for home defense and to take to the range every now and again. Can anybody help me to determine the year the gun was made the serial number is D9316xx and whether or not this was a decent deal. I live in the D.C. area if that helps with determining gun prices for the area.


Thanks

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Greetings, and welcome to the forum, eleul002.

Your 13-1 dates to 1977. Provided it's in correct mechanical condition and (at minimum) decent cosmetic shape, $450 is a fine price.

These are some good reads for assessing your revolver:

Revolver Checkout Procedure

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6Fh...hl=en_US&pli=1

NRA Museums:

The 13-1 is a terrific, no-frills fighting revolver and an excellent purchase for home defense. Here's a recent thread in which many of us sing the 13's praises:

what do you guys think of model 13's

I don't know what your experience with firearms or home defense planning is. Much good reading on this forum regarding both, from care and maintenance of the firearm, to choosing the best defense ammo for your needs, to issues and considerations both legal and practical in armed self-defense -- strongly suggest you do your reading, get range time in to familiarize yourself with your revolver's manual of arms, and I highly encourage you to enroll in a handgun-based self defense course.

Many questions you may have likely have been addressed and can be searched in the forum's archives; anything you can't find an answer to, don't be shy about starting a new thread in whichever subforum applies.

Enjoy your new 13.

To talonz1, that gun shop wishes they could get it for $400. They would probably put $600 or more on it in their display case. I saw a 3" blue 13-3 (not P&R) for sale this weekend priced at $950. He still had it at the close of the show.

Thanks for all the information. I was wondering if any of you had any recommendations on the type of ammo to use in a 13-1. I shot mostly PMC 38 specials and 357's at the range, but bought some Federal hollow points to keep them loaded in the house. I want to make sure I am shooting a good quality bullet at the range, but at the same time not wasting money on bullets.

Greetings again, eleul002.

Suggest you run a search; this subject is discussed regularly here and at great length -- likely all your questions have been answered.

In short: where you live, what kind of home, whom you share it with, how close neighbors are, and what kind of defense plan you have all have bearing on what round you choose.

This is a hotly debated subject, but I think for most self defense applications, a quality-built hollow point .38 round out of a 4" 13-1 can be depended upon to do the job if you do yours, and mitigates the .357s sometimes tremendous flash, report, recoil, and ability to over-penetrate.

This is a general rule, and whatever your specific needs are might call for a different approach.

In .38 Special I like Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 grain +P; CorBon DPX 110 grain +P; and Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure 158 grain Lead Semi-wadcutter Hollow Core.

Before you post more, again, run a search and read for a while; whatever questions aren't answered by a search, it's best to start a new thread in the appropriate forum.

Enjoy the good reading.