Model 13-2 FBI

LadyFed · Dec 13, 2008

Thanks to ladder13, my hubby 29-1 was able to acquire 3 13-2 3" revolvers shipped to the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA between 1980-1981. ladder13, 29-1 'owes you',

I have a small collection of FBI connected firearms that isn't growing all that quickly, but agent/bureau shipped guns are tough to find. These three are what one would expect condition-wise coming out of the Academy; well used but serviceable. If any of my fellow agents or any LEO who was on the job during this period and perhaps was issued/carried this particular model, and would care to comment on the Model 13, I would appreciate your perspective.
Happy Holidays everyone

Eliza

Top to Bottom: All 3 letter shipped to the FBI.
6D87150 shipped 12/29/1980
9D00961 shipped 11/16/1981
6D86967 shipped 4/23/1981

LadyFed · Dec 13, 2008

Thanks to ladder13, my hubby 29-1 was able to acquire 3 13-2 3" revolvers shipped to the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA between 1980-1981. ladder13, 29-1 'owes you',

I have a small collection of FBI connected firearms that isn't growing all that quickly, but agent/bureau shipped guns are tough to find. These three are what one would expect condition-wise coming out of the Academy; well used but serviceable. If any of my fellow agents or any LEO who was on the job during this period and perhaps was issued/carried this particular model, and would care to comment on the Model 13, I would appreciate your perspective.
Happy Holidays everyone

Eliza

Top to Bottom: All 3 letter shipped to the FBI.
6D87150 shipped 12/29/1980
9D00961 shipped 11/16/1981
6D86967 shipped 4/23/1981

Raider · Dec 13, 2008

Congrats on your find. I'll bet you have a fine collection of FBI related firearms. Could you maybe show a photo of all of them together? Thanks!

LadyFed · Dec 13, 2008

Originally posted by Raider:
Congrats on your find. I'll bet you have a fine collection of FBI related firearms. Could you maybe show a photo of all of them together? Thanks!

Raider, I'll try and do this over the holidays when I get a break for a day or two. I've been thinking about doing this anyway.
Eliza

Andy Taylor · Dec 13, 2008

Very nice.

N_itis · Dec 13, 2008

LadyFed,

I share your interest and look forward to a first hand review which this, admittedly, is not.

I have an unfired, boxed 3" barreled M13-2, serial number 8D742XX which your post has convinced me I should get a factory letter for just to see where it was shipped. I have really always wanted a pinned and recessed 3" barreled M65 to actually carry and use but the only ones I have even heard of were issued to the Massachusetts State Police...and I have never actually seen one of them. Sadly, I am a "P&R snob," so the multitude of later 3" barreled M65s will just not do!

My gun is one of only two pinned and recessed 3" barreled M13s I have ever seen in person, and both where in pristine condition which has led me to conclude that very few were made before the 1982 transition. A position that I have to say is reinforced by the middle gun in your photo! Interestingly, the second gun wore what appeared to be a factory nickel finish which I am sure is even less common and was very likely a special order piece.

My purely uneducated opinion/guess, based on the limited amount of second hand knowledge I have gleaned from Federal Agents who served during the early 1980s, is that the 3" barreled, round butt guns were probably contracted (I assume by FBI) as a better concealment option to the 4" barreled, square butt guns sometime around 1980. The M13s were eventually "replaced" by non pinned and recessed 3" barreled M65-3s around 1982 or 1983; but, apparently, both M65s and M13s were issued interchangably prior to the "trials" of various "wondernines" in the mid 1980s. From the comments I have heard, the guns were well regarded but required the immediate addition of Pachmayer grips!

Again, I too would be interested to hear from anyone with first hand knowledge regarding pinned and recessed 3" barreled .357 Magnum M&Ps.

N_itis

VonFatman · Dec 13, 2008

LadyFed,
Great guns and interesting thread!! Thanks for sharing. Like Mr. N_itis, I have a 13-2 w/box and goodies, serial number 8D342xx

I doubt it's an FBI gun, because of the box, but I guess a letter will let me know for sure.

Bob

Malysh · Dec 13, 2008

My Mod 13-2 3"bbl. is ser. # 8D72865. When I bought it in the mid 80s it had a set of Pachmayers on it. I paid $165.00 for it. The only thing wrong with it is I let some schmuck examine it once and he held the hammer back partially and twirled the cylinder, causing a premature ring on the cylinder before I could grab it back! Without the cylinder ring I would rate it as about 90% cosmetically with evidence of little carry. It wasn't shot much either. I doubt it's an FBI gun due to the appearance. It DOES have the finest double action trigger pull of any of my S&Ws, though.
I have no idea who owned it before me. I wanted a practical, concealable 357 with no large sights to catch on clothing during concealment and I thought this model fit the bill admirably.
Maybe I should send a letter request to Mr. Jinks after 1/1/09?

Are Mod 13-2s rare?

LadyFed · Dec 13, 2008

Thanks to all for the interesting posts so far. Two of these 13-2s came with Pachmayer grips by the way. I'm going to the range today and try one of these out.
Eliza

Malysh · Dec 13, 2008

Originally posted by LadyFed:
Thanks to all for the interesting posts so far. Two of these 13-2s came with Pachmayer grips by the way. I'm going to the range today and try one of these out.
Eliza

If it shoots as well as mine does you will be very pleased.

Frizzman · Dec 13, 2008

I well remember when those were the issue weapon for the FBI. I was a city cop at the time and thought that that was one slick revolver(I carried a M10-HB that was issued to me). I am sure you will enjoy it...

ladder13 · Dec 13, 2008

LadyFed, I was more than happy to help you and Chuck secure these M13's. They look much better now than they did in the store.

The gunshop where these were found has alot of old revolvers, as most buyers are looking for the "black" guns.
If I run across any more, I'll let you guys know.
I go to most of the Middletown shows, in case you guys are passing thru.
Regards,
Mike
SWCA 1975

LadyFed · Dec 13, 2008

Mike, thank you again. Yes, Chuck couldn't stand the Pachmayers on these guns so he put the correct stocks on them. I told him that the Pachs were probably more practical for the Agents who originally carried them, but he didn't want to hear it.

We go to the Middletown show every once in a while so we'll have to set up a time to get together for sure.
Eliza
SWCA 2099

Guest · Dec 13, 2008

Eliza;

I've attached a photo of a fixed sighted Model 19-3:

Here's a piece of the Factory Letter from Roy Jinks.

The first time I saw one of these was in about '76 when I was shooting PPC and at one of the Regional Matches one of the FBI Teams came up from somewhere in Kalifornia - I think from Sacramento but that is just a very old memory. All four Agents were carrying Model 19-3s just like this one. They told us that they had been "Issued" these just recently and that they hadn't had much time to 'Practice' with them. I guess that accounts for our 'Cleaning their Clocks' during the "Duty Gun Team Match". I've wanted one ever since that day because of the three inch barrel which also adds the Full Length Ejector Rod feature.

At the time I was Carrying a 2-1/2 inch, Model 19-3 in a Roy Baker Pancake Holster. I had several of these "in stock" and all four Agents purchased one for there own use. At the time, they were 'issued' a Tom Threepersons style holster with the 'FBI' tilt. The Baker Holster also offered the same angle but didn't stick out from the body near as much and made carrying under a light suit jacket much easier without the same "printing" issues.

Contacting S&W at the time got me a great Big "Huh???" and I was told no such gun had ever been produced and of course, when he then said "No more are available." I took that comment to mean that "yes" such guns were built but not for general LEO use.

hoopewlchaser · Dec 13, 2008

Hi all, I just saw this posting after I put up a new one, anyway I have a model 27 .357 blued and its an FBI Commemorative pistol, I was told it was offered to agents many years ago and it comes in a ver nice wooden velvet lined box, the FBI logo is on the box and the gun, and the serial# starts with FBI, was wondering if I can get some more info. on it and I was possibly looking to sell it, any info. would be great...Bobby

LadyFed · Dec 13, 2008

KKG- what a great story. I'm curious about the French Police variation and what the background on that one was. I now have something else to look for

I would like to find a 10-6 in .357 as well as I've been told that was another FBI connected S&W.
Thank you again,
Eliza

max · Dec 13, 2008

N_itis, I have a nickel 4 inch 13-1 that is P&R. I also have a 3 inch nickel 13-3 which is neither.

LadyFed · Dec 13, 2008

Originally posted by hoopewlchaser:
Hi all, I just saw this posting after I put up a new one, anyway I have a model 27 .357 blued and its an FBI Commemorative pistol, I was told it was offered to agents many years ago and it comes in a ver nice wooden velvet lined box, the FBI logo is on the box and the gun, and the serial# starts with FBI, was wondering if I can get some more info. on it and I was possibly looking to sell it, any info. would be great...Bobby

Bobby, the FBI Commem Revolver was ordered through the FBIAA (FBI Agents Association) and sold only to Special Agents, active and retired. Each was specially numbered and most had the agents credential number engraved just above the trigger guard on the left side. Not all were however as some were produced without a number and these are actually quite rare. The full outfit includes the gun, wooden box, outside cardboard box, shipping carton with the agents name written on the side, the cardboard gun box with bar code label and the tools. There is also a white envelope that holds the brass plate for the presentation case and another small envelope for the key. There is also a couple of information sheets explaining the history of the FBI and S&W. All total this can go from 7-1500 depending on completeness. Here's a picture of what I just described.
Regards
Eliza

Guest · Dec 13, 2008

Originally posted by LadyFed:
KKG- what a great story. I'm curious about the French Police variation and what the background on that one was. I now have something else to look for

I would like to find a 10-6 in .357 as well as I've been told that was another FBI connected S&W.
Thank you again,
Eliza

The "French" Contract originally called for the the gun to be in 9MM Luger caliber but without requiring the use of Moon Clips. Thus, the Model 547 "Ejection System" was designed. The French were not Happy with the "works sometimes" nature of the system. The major problem is that the 'short' case has a tenancy to get caught under the Ejector unless the 'back side' of the Cylinder is pointed directly at the ground. Of course, this isn't always possible when laying behind cover or on your back or for whatever reason during a fire fight.

As these were going to be used for their version of the "Secret Service" they weren't interested in something that wasn't going to be 100% functional. Using this configuration - Full Length Ejector Rod - the Ejection process is much more positive. For once the French actually got something right!!

Another feature that the French "required" was the Shrouded Ejector Housing. What surprises me is that Smith didn't adopt this 3 inch Barrel and the Fixed Sights as regular Production feature or at least an option, for the Model 19-3s.

LadyFed · Dec 13, 2008

KKG,thanks for the lesson on this rare variation. I had to laugh about your comment concerning the French getting it right. You're correct as that is about as rare as the revolver we're discussing.

Eliza

Model 13-2 FBI

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