13-3 3 inch fbi ???

[twomoons]

folks, i was cleaning out my dealers back room today,and a guy walked in with several k frame 3 inch guns.amongst the bunch were a few round butt 13-3 3 inch blue guns. some new,some like new.my name went on all of them immediately.i have searched the threads here,on the forum,and am trying to find out if these were in the run made for the fbi.or are overuns from that era.the 66 3 inch guns,and 65 3 inch guns i am ok with as far as dates and numbers.
any advice would be appreciated.
i tell you what folks,and i know all of you know this, a guys heart starts to flutter when an old collector starts laying his 30 year old collection on the counter,and all you see is round butts,and short barrels.
anyway,thanks for any advice friends

 

[HAWKEYE10]

According to my S&W book the 3" and 4" were standard
production run. A three inch RB would be a neat gun to
have. I don't see that many M13's for sale at all. I bought
one at a gun show a few months ago and really like it. Don

 

[flagman1776]

Yes, 3" M13s were FBI issue at one point. Really nice handling... I owned one. I later replaced it with a 3" 66.

FBI offered guns to other Federal Agencies but if not accepted policy was to destroy weapons taken out of service, even if they were otherwise saleable... The only exception seems to be the FBI 10mm guns which were returned to S&W under warantee program & S&W resold them as used a couple of years later (probably refurbished). A few FBI 3" M13s do letter to the FBI so some got loose.
There was a great thread on this recently:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/85509-fbi-1076-a.html

Russ

 

[sheriffoconee]

My Dad was an FBI agent from 63-84. His first issued handgun was a 4 inch Model 10. He purchased in 1964 a 2 inch Model 10 that he carried through his entire career. I have his M10 now. The last handgun the Bureau issued him was a 3" RB Model 13.

 

[jframe]

I may be wrong, but I think that the FBI guns were probably -2 Model 13's. They would be just like the -3 guns, only pinned and recessed. This would also have been about the correct timetable for their issue. I had a 13-3 three inch and traded for a 19-5 snubby. If I'd have had the cash to get both, I would have, but that 19 snub was just calling me!

 

[ladder13]

I think jframe is correct. I have seen 3 FBI M13's and all were -2's.

 

[Sgt.H]

FBI did cary the 3" Model 13

The FBI replaced their 4" model 10s with the 3" model 13 but carried them with the 158 Grain +P LHP. They wanted a short barrel weapon that would conceal easy, but have a full ejector rod, fixed sights, etc. One of the agents involved in the infamous Miami shootout carried one in that fire fight. They carried those until their ill fated switch to the 1076.
I have a 3" model 65 that I carried off-duty when we were still issued the 4" model 65s. Both are great shooting revolvers.
Hope this helps. I too love the old wheel guns

 

[twomoons]

guys, many thanks to all. you have answered all my questions.you guys are great. happy holidays friends.
i will get some pics after i get all these cleaned and polished.

 

[Allen-frame]

If you hang around the barber shop long enough

This goes for gun shops. Twomoons, do you lead a charmed life? First the question about "A few" 3" model 66s you have ,now a herd of 3" model 13s?!

Get the camera ,and show us what ya'got.

Regards ,, Allen

 

[twomoons]

allen
lol.
i will,as soon as i get them all paid for. there a some 66-4 2 1/2 inch guns
that are new never fired ,with paperwork and kits i will sell. the 13-3 and 66 i will take pics of.
i was lucky and in the right place at the right time,like a lot of our gun purchases are. you know that allen.just lucky.

 

[c.w.]

it just so happens...

I just brought this one home...13-3 3" . Did a function test at the range, colder than the nads on a brass monkey...shoots great both 38's and boomers...357's better accuracy! controllable kick...!

QUESTION? are these the original stocks? thanks in advance c.w.

 

[dmc8163]

While it is common belief that all FBI Model 13s were destroyed at least three are in collector hands with S&W letters showing they were shipped to the FBI. At the conclusion of the FBI contract S&W had 100 Model 13 revolvers left over. These were shipped to the Michigan State Police.

 

[florida1098]

In 1988 I was able to buy this 13-3 from a shop in NYC. Have not fired it since, I might have tried a box of 50 rounds at Rodman's neck, honestly don't remember. Have not even seen the gun for almost 20 years as it was in storage and we were not authorized to carry it, just recently had it sent to me and am trying to get things together paperwork wise to sell it. I do remember paying slightly over $200 for it at the time. It is a 13-3 not recessed/pinned. No history at all to it, just that they were available to buy. My current dept does not authorize anything but Glock's and I really have no use for it. If anyone needs to know any markings or symbols on this gun let me know.
Charlie

 

[cne411]

I went to the local pawn shop today and picked up a 13-2. Came here to do some research on them and found this. The cylinder is recessed but the barrel is not pinned.

 

[jframe]

I went to the local pawn shop today and picked up a 13-2. Came here to do some research on them and found this. The cylinder is recessed but the barrel is not pinned.

Probably a transition gun from 1981 or 1982. Most of the transition guns were this way; recessed but not pinned. I had a four inch nickel Model 27 that was exactly the same way. (Damn, I wish I had THAT one back!)

 

[Mike99]

Hello Forum - I have a model 13-3 with a 3" barrel that was shipped to the FBI in Quantico according to the historical letter from Roy Jinks. Pictures to come...

 

[bamabiker]

Hey Mike, I don't see the pics.

 

[Mike99]

Hey All - Had some trouble with the pix as I had not posted for a while. Hope these are coming through.
Mike

 

[bamabiker]

Much better. Nice gun and info.

 

[Combat]

My NIB 13-3,I had a 13-2 but it was stolen along with 14 other guns.

SN AEE3xxx