F.B.I. Model 13

[Dump1567]

About a month ago, I picked-up a 13-3 3"(gun only) Ser #ANNxxx which should date to 1986? According to the SCSW, the model 13 was an FBI issue piece during 1986-87.

My 13-3 has some carry wear and is an excellent shooter. Looks to have been carried a lot and shot a little.

Would it be worth the $50 to get it lettered to see if it was sold to the FBI?

Thanks.

 

[El Biblioitecario]

Would it be worth the $50 to get it lettered to see if it was sold to the FBI?
QUOTE]

Absolutely...if the letter proved it was FBI issue. But the odds are the letter will show it was shipped to Schmedlapp's Hardware in Kankakee, IL, or some such place. As a famed affectionadao of the Model 29 once said, "do you feel lucky?"

 

[Frank V]

Nice gun.
It would be worth it to me to know. I think I'd try to find out if the FBI issue guns were marked as FBI guns. If you can find that they were marked FBI when issued, you'd know it probably wasn't & save the $50?
If it were mine I'd probably explore that avenue first, them maybe letter it.
Thanks for sharing.
Frank

 

[bananaman]

Dump, nice find! I was looking for a 13 in Nov. and couldn't come up with the RIGHT one. I did buy a 65-3, 3" instead. My wife and I went to the gunclub, and she took an instant liking to it! (oh no) She wanted to shoot it instead of her normal pistol. Enjoy it! Bob

 

[Dump1567]

Nice gun.
It would be worth it to me to know. I think I'd try to find out if the FBI issue guns were marked as FBI guns. If you can find that they were marked FBI when issued, you'd know it probably wasn't & save the $50?
If it were mine I'd probably explore that avenue first, them maybe letter it.
Thanks for sharing.
Frank

Based on the research I've done, none were FBI marked.

 

[woodsltc]

Before I asked for a letter I would want know if there was a certain bracket of serial numbers that were sent to the FBI or any other organization.....don't know if anyone knows but I would check on this forum for that info before I spent $50 & sent for a letter!!

BTW...nice Model 13 .... congrats on having this, they are a much wanted revolver even if not an FBI gun.

That's my .02 cents worth on this.

Don

 

[smitty_bs]

I always thought that FBI guns were only 13-2 models. Others here that know more, may chime in. But if you only want to know if it was an FBI gun, I would doubt it if it was a 13-3.

 

[Dump1567]

I'm just going off the book that states it was a popular FBI sidearm in 1974 and 1986-1987. Not sure if they had new production issue guns in 86-87.

There are a few threads on these. The ones I've read do show older model 13-2's. And some of the posters stated they were issued the model 13 in 85 & 86, but I don't know if the FBI ordered any new guns after the initial 1980 contract.

And the other issue is when did ser#ANNxxxx actually leave the factory, as the SCSW is real exact.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/142278-what-years-did-fbi-issue-model-13-a.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/88188-price-check-m13s-fbi-guns.html

 

[dnater]

I was issued a new Model 13 at the FBI Academy in Feb '86. There were no FBI specific markings on it and I never saw any special markings on any issued weapons including 870's and M16's. Don't recall if it was a 13-2 or 13-3 but may be able to locate the s/n in a day or two. All the guns issued from the gun vault had Pachmayr grip adapters.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I have a Model 13-3 from the same time period. It came with a Bucheimer "Concealer" in black basketweave. I never thought of checking to see if it was a 'real' FBI gun.

ECS

 

[ElectroMotive]

Thats an interesting grip. I dont believe I've seen one like that. Can you tell me more about it?

 

[Dump1567]

I was issued a new Model 13 at the FBI Academy in Feb '86. There were no FBI specific markings on it and I never saw any special markings on any issued weapons including 870's and M16's. Don't recall if it was a 13-2 or 13-3 but may be able to locate the s/n in a day or two. All the guns issued from the gun vault had Pachmayr grip adapters.

Was it new when you got it? Or someone else's turn in?

 

[akviper]

In July 1981 I attended an FBI taught firearms instructor school in Anchorage, Alaska. SA Cal Darst and SA JJ Jensen had just returned from Quantico and qualification as FBI firearms instructors. They were showing off their newly issued three inch Model 13s. Most of the soon to be cop instructors looked down on the fixed sight three inch guns as the Model 66 and Model 19 were king of the roost at that time. Now I regularly carry a three inch Model 65 and love it.

When I attended the FBI NA in 1987 I hung out at the arms room for a bit. I was a factory certified S&W armorer at the time. I was very impressed by the loving care each revolver had from the FBI armorers. Each gun was taken apart and hand fitted before issue to an agent. It was the equivalent of a custom trigger and action job. Every time an agent returned to Quantico for in service training he or she turned the revolver over to the armorers for a maintenance check and repair if necessary. This was required for any personally owned revolvers as well.

The only auto pistols in use at that time were the 459s issued to the field office swat team members and the custom Hi-Powers carried by the HRT members. That is another story.

 

[ruger-p94]

I have a model 13-3 nickel. Was the nickel one only issued to civilians during that time period. I have never seen or any heard of any going to the FBI. My serial is 9D98xxx

 

[Dump1567]

It was the equivalent of a custom trigger and action job.

Mine comes close to this, but maybe I just got lucky.

 

[1 old 0311]

I have a Model 13-3 from the same time period. It came with a Bucheimer "Concealer" in black basketweave. I never thought of checking to see if it was a 'real' FBI gun.

ECS

Now THAT is something you don't see everyday.

 

[Muley Gil]

I'm a dyed in the wool N frame man; however, after doing action jobs on hundreds of revolvers, I find it easier to get a smooth action out of a K frame than any other revolver.

 

[Onisius]

I have a Model 13-3 from the same time period. It came with a Bucheimer "Concealer" in black basketweave. I never thought of checking to see if it was a 'real' FBI gun.

ECS

I have a set of the same grips for my M13 also....

 

[dnater]

Was it new when you got it? Or someone else's turn in?

It was new. Everyone in my class got a new one.

 

[3shots]

FBI model 13

I don't think uncle sam sells used guns to civilians.