new to sight hello all,
just pick up model 13-3
i have no knowledge of revolvers,I have other smiths but have never owned a revolver

gun in good shape and im excited to finally own a revolver



Question---next to model number is two other numbers?

13-3
c-13
43xxx
thanks for any info

Attached Images

DSC_6927.JPG (91.2 KB, 503 views)

Hello and welcome to the forum. You've started into the revolver field with a very nice example, a nickle plated M13-3, the -3 signifies the third engineering change and one of the others is probably the serial number (if these are under the yoke), the actual S/N will be on the bottom of the butt.
Nickled 13's are a pretty desirable gun but unless you just like them the Pachmeyer's have to go, try to find an original set of round butt magna's for it, it will look much better.
You've nibbled the hook, now you'll take a bite and be a revolver fan before you know what's happened!
RD

__________________
Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

thanks

13-3 is model

serial is 20Dxxx

are other numbers manufacturing numbers?

c-13

436xx

Per page 179, SCSW, 4 inch 13s have square butts, but no matter. You got a nice 357 there.
The nickel is my favorite in any hand gun, ebony or black buffalo horn would dress it right up.
"Correct" magnas are never the wrong choice either.

Shoot and pray daily.
Lee Jones (Celtgun)

Welcome and great looking model 13. I have a model 13-2 4 inch. They are great revolvers and a good start to your collection. The S&W refers the model 13 as "Military & Police" 357 magnum revolver. They look like and handle like a model 10 heavy barrel 38 special. Only big difference is the model 13 is chambered for the 357 magnum. The model 13 evolved from the model 10-6. S&W made about 3000 thousand of the model 10-6 357 magnums and shipped them to LE agencies like the NYSP "New York State Police". This early 357 magnums were the pre-13s. They became the model 13 in about 1974.
You have a revolver that has a history in law enforcement. The FBI used the 3 inch barrel version. Many other LE agencies use either the 3 inch or 4 inch as carry weapons.
Enjoy,
Howard

thanks to all, great info. Im reading everything i can on it

I picked it up rather inexpensive and want to shoot it regularly , cant find any problems with it
Im an avid target shooter and have plenty of land to shoot on hopeing to get out this weekend

Congrats on your purchase of a great revolver, and welcome to the forum. The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson is an excellent book and a must own for just about any Smith collector. One must be careful, because this book can become more of a wish list than a reference guide. I agree with Smthhound that a set of service magnas would really dress her up. Double check that you have a square butt, as I think all 4" were. The 3" barrel models had a round butt. Best wishes!

I took a friend to the range yesterday. He brought along the only 2 guns he owns. A Walther P38 and a SW 13-3. he was checking out my SW500 to buy. I shot his model 13 and it had an action that was like butter It is the smoothest double action trigger I have seen. I was a little put off as I have a lot of Smith revolvers and none of them have an action like that. So congratulations to your new model 13.
It was kind of amusing because he brought his 2 guns and ammo into the range in a plastic lunch bucket! Just a working man's gun.

__________________
John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Just purchased a mod 13-3 4" bbl nickle finish in 95% condition. My question is, it has a nickel finish hammer and trigger. Are these factory also? I have seen photos with stainless and polishedhammers and triggers.

S&W factory nickel revolvers shipped with cased hardened carbon steel hammer and trigger; if yours are indeed nickeled, the factory very likely didn't do it. Alternately, they may be the hammer/trigger that used to ship with stainless revolvers -- flash chromed carbon steel often mistaken for stainless or nickel.

Suggest you start a new thread on the subject and post some pics; too, make certain our revolver is a Model 13 and not its stainless twin the 65.