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My "New" Model 13-2

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robertrwalsh

SWCA Member
Joined
May 5, 2008
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Location
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Picked up my new 13-2 today. As one might expect it is a 3" RB blue. Recessed but not pinned. It does have a pale yellow or cream color front sight insert that is very competently done. No obvious department or agency marking on it but it did come with a slightly funky Tex Shoemaker black basketweave paddle holster so I strongly suspect it might be some old cops gun. It did have a couple of odd (to me) stamps on the side of the grip frame at the bottom. One was a J inside a circle. The other was a G inside a triangle with a dab of red paint on it. It has some wear on it but no signs of abuse. If I did it right there are two photos attached.

I paid probably a bit over market ($1100) but I got what I wanted at a price I was willing to pay and it isn't unreasonable. I have wanted one for a long time. I may get a letter on this one.
 

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There is nothing like scoring a decent model 13 with a 3" barrel. I'd bet if you spent about an hour cleaning that up and running a polishing cloth over it you'll be very pleased.

Very good score....congrats!
 
Never seen that color insert. Let us know how it compares to red or green on range day.
 
Just to chime in, my first hand gun I purchased at 18 in 1974 was a model 13-2 maybe 1975. Still have it and it looks like new except the back of the grip frame.

Mine is a 4" barrel. came with magna grips, but I took it home with target grips to fit my large hands. Just my opinion, You may want to find some period correct wood grips to fit that classic.
 
Congrats on owning one of the classic revolvers with a rich history. Not too shabby for carrying, either.
 
Shooting it outdoors was fine. ON the indoor it was a bit hard to pick up the front sight. I think something like red or orange would have been better. I did send in for a letter on it. In six months or so I will post what it says.
 
When I look at Model 13s online, they are almost all 4” square butt it seems. Here in California I never see them for sale in any configuration. I have had a 3” 13-3 for a long time and it’s so cool I forgive the non recessed chambers that yours has. There is a mystique and allure of the 3” barreled guns on this forum. Your price for such an impossible to find gun in CA. that you specifically wanted is just fine. After all, unlike other states we can’t ship them into the state.
 
robertrwalsh I'd say you underpaid for that M-13-2 by a good margin especially being in CA or just about anyplace else for that matter. With a set of correct magna stocks, Tyler T grip and some cleaning you have a very desirable carry revolver.
 
Smith & Wesson model 13.

I had a blue model 13, with a 2 inch bbl. Good off duty gun back in the late 1970 or early 80's. Sold it and bought a nickle one with a 2 inch bbl, for duty use. When we went to automatics I sold that one too. Wished that I had kept it. I still have a couple of J frames.
 
Good score....
Picked this 13-4 last spring.
Appears unfired or possibly ANIB.
Seems prices on this model went nutz this summer.
Some on GB bringing over 2K.
DSC00305.jpg
 
Well, now I feel somewhere between OK and very OK on the price I paid. I bought it from a store I do a lot of used-consignment buys from and they try to treat me right within the limits of the actual seller. I have put about 140 rounds thru it and it shoots very nicely.
 
Actually I am feeling pretty good about the price. I have owned a pinned and recessed 13-2 since new with magna and target stocks that I took it home with and my local gun shop said it is a $600.00 gun on the open market. Not that I would ever sell it. Like I said before it is mint except for the grip backstrap speckling.
 
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I have often wondered if my "recessed but not pinned" 13-2 was an oddball so it's nice to see another. This one is called "Trout Slayer", bought for camping carry/creek hopping. Nelson Ford smoothed the action and polished the trigger about ten years ago. It isn't pretty but it is a good reliable shooter.

Gila's Trout Slayer.jpgGila's Model 13-2 and 640-1.jpgGila's 13-2 and 640-1 .357.jpg
 
As requested, here is a photo of the holster. It is a Tex Shoemaker 54PL. It must have been made for a 2 1/2 or 2 3/4" pistol because the safety strap is too snug for the 3". It has a closed bottom and is NOT bottoming on the trigger guard. You will note the safety strap has been punched thru so it will go over the hammer of the 3" gun. Trouble is it also "traps" the hammer so you need either two hands to draw or you have to fiddle with the strap after popping the snap. It isn't even close to fast. Whoever thought that was a good idea was flat-out wrong.
 

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