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.

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Watch & Pray

[QUOTE=Dump1567;136265952]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?"

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

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US RIDE FOR THE BRAND OR LEAVE

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

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

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Watch & Pray

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

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Laus Deo! <><

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.

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.

What years did the FBI issue the Model 13?

Price check m13's, FBI guns?

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Watch & Pray

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.

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

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

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

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

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Watch & Pray

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.

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

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

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Watch & Pray

Now THAT is something you don't see everyday.

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.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

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

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10mm, send the very best.

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

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

They're out there. A member here has 3 13-2's that letter as being shipped to the FBI.

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Watch & Pray

Thanks. Do you remember if it was pinned and recessed?

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Watch & Pray

The grips on my revolver are Bianchi Lightning grips manufactured by Pachmayr for Bianchi. No wear on the inside of my cover garment, and no snagging. The full finger-groove grip allows complete control of full-house magnum loads.

I found them at a gun show after years of looking for $15.00.

I like 'em!

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I had a pair on a model 36 back in 91'. Simple way to go shrouded hammer. I wish they still made them.

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Watch & Pray

I think the Bureau issued the M-13 until they went to autos some time in the '90's. If you watch, "The Silence of the Lambs", Jodie Foster's character had the authentic gun and holster. The bad guy had a Colt Python as he did in the book by Thomas Harris.

Per Mr. Jink, my gun has no FBI connection. I didn't know he was so accessible. He even called me back. Wow!

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Watch & Pray

elm creek- nice 13. I thought I was the only fella who still had a set of those grips!

The Bianchi Lightning grips were made to fit round butt K and J frames and discontinued several years ago. The Bianchi Lightning #55L holster was designed to fit revolvers equipped with the grips, and also for J frame Centennial style revolvers. I believe the holster is still available.

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Dump1567 - I'm still looking for a set for my Model 37. I've only seen one set for J-Frames.

cowboy85306 - Thanks! I saw them years ago and thought they were great. Once I got my Model 13 it took several more years to find a pair. I've had these for ten or twelve years now, and they never fail to draw comments at gun shows. Usually the question is, "Where can I get grips like that?"

PMRet - I've seen the holster recently. It's great for the Centennials and the Bodyguards. If I can find a pair of Lightnings for my Model 37, it'll be an option for me, too.

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I appreciate the info on the grips.

Is it just me, or is anyone else thinking Crimson Trace would have something if they incorporated a laser into those grips?

That is the holster that Tubbs carried his S&W Model 38 Bodyguard in on Miami Vice.

Sorry...I couldn't resist, but it is true.

Wowser! Put the laser in the top of the right-hand grip and shine it right down the side of the barrel!

I've also thought about having the neoprene grips replicated in some showy wood with lots of figure. They might need a liner of some sort to support the hammer shroud, though. I'm certain someone could do it.

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I'm new here, so I dunno what would have to be done, but I wonder if Bianchi and/or Pachmyar would consider a special run.

Here are some pictures of a gun that a friend bought used at a gunshow. It is a 13-3 with an ANF prefix serial number. It came as pictured with a bobbed hammer and some type of baked on finish. We're trying to figure out what type of cylinder release this is:

Electromotive:

It's an extended cylinder release latch made by Hogue and offered in, among other places, the Brownell catalog:

S&W REVOLVER EXTENDED CYLINDER RELEASE LATCH - Brownells for $64.99.

Regards,

Dave

I'm happy with mine.

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Are you sure on the holster I have a set of the lightning grips but the holster is listed for 2" J frames?

This is my Model 13-3. I purchased it Brand New in March 2012. I only fired a few shot, it is a wonderful shooter. I painted the front sight, but I guess I can do a better job
I heard that I should not fire Magnums in this revolver, is this true ?

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Absolutely not. Shoot all the Magnums you want. S&W wouldn't have chambered it and marked it S&W .357 Magnum if they didn't intend the owners to use those loads.
The K-Frame is not as strong as the L or N-Frame, so if you put thousands of rounds through it, it will wear a bit faster than the bigger frames. Also, the use of 125 Grain loads is said to be hardest on them. That said, all my K-Frame carry revolvers, a 2 1/2" M66-1, a 4' M19-3 and a 3" M13-2 are always loaded with Federal 125 Grain loads. I just don't shoot a lot of them. For extended range sessions I stick to 158 Grain loads and just shoot enough of the 125 Grain loads to stay proficient.
Shoot it with Magnums and enjoy it.
Jim

Thanks a lot for the great advice. Its just tons of posts everywhere are warning about firing magnums in K frames. I will stick to 158 gr Magnums.

So is the issued FBI M13 a RB or SB?

It was a round butt.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I have a 1987 Bianchi catalog, they list the #55L "Lightning" holster as being for "2"-3" small & medium frame revolvers". The selector chart in the back of the catalog indicates it was available for 2" S&W Chief and Bodyguard, 2-1/2 S&W Combat Magnum, and 2" Charter Arms. The Lightning grips were available for round butt models 36 & 60 (#650) and round butt models 19 & 10 (#655). Not listed but I assume they'd fit any standard hammer RB j or K frame.

This is the holster I got with my 13-3. It is very comfortable and holds the gun very nice.

Neat holster. Who is the manufacterers and model number?

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Wheel guns are real guns too.

I saw one on the internet a while back and said it was..... Smith & Wesson Manufactured Combat Paddle Holster for S&W K frame revolver. It really fits the gun and can be adjusted as needed.

I really like mine it is a great shooting gun.got the grips on it last year thought they looked nice on a blued gun.they were $15.

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God save the SOUTH

Remember guys before the Air Marshal Service started the Bureau wanted us to load our revolvers with "wad cutters" whenever we went aboard an aircraft ? That was my time starting in the 1960s.

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Retired FBI Agent

While it was not my "primary issue", I did have a 13-3 on my card when I was the Bureau and I carried it quite a bit in lieu of my 1076, which I also loved. The Gun Vault had to pry both of them from my hands under loud and, according to my SSRA, somewhat juvenile and childish protest. LOL!
Gonzo

FBI Model 13s had no agency markings. They were three inch round butt and agents carried them in (usually, depending on who got the bid) a brown holster made by J.M. Bucheimer. Bucheimer also made the ammo pouch, a single snap flap design holding 6 cartridges in "two by two by two" arrangement so that reloads could be accomplished two rounds at a time.

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