Help with my 'new' gun?

[keith.lambert.37]

My grandfather recently willed his 80's? revolver to me. I'm not especially familiar with older guns and was wondering if anyone could help identify its age. I'm planning to keep for sentimental purposes and it looks like a nice shooter so it's value would only be a curiosity but would also help.

The gun's near perfect no holster wear or even scratches. Grandmother said he used it once or twice to shoot snake shot in FL other than that kept it locked up so condition seems to be excellent. Looks like he had several grip changes over the years too.

Thanks for any help!

Keith




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[ispcapt]

Not really old. 1984-85.

 

[Shark Bait]

Nice looking gun. That's a keeper.

 

[keith.lambert.37]

Thanks guys, so no problems shooting current ammo?


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[Glashaus]

Very nice! 3" nickel M13's are a bit scarce and any 3" K frame is kinda a hot ticket now. A great way to remember your Grandfather!

I found a 3" nickel M13 last Fall and it is a favorite of mine, I won an auction on Gunbroker for mine, I paid $485 which I think was a very good price, yours with the condition, box and if it still has all the paper work that originally came with it, I would think that it would be in the $650- $850+ on a good day at auction on GB.



Shoot all the .38 Special and any .357 Magnum that you find out of it.

 

[keith.lambert.37]

Very nice! 3" nickel M13's are a bit scarce and any 3" K frame is kinda a hot ticket now. A great way to remember your Grandfather!

I found a 3" nickel M13 last Fall and it is a favorite of mine, I won an auction on Gunbroker for mine, I paid $485 which I think was a very good price, yours with the condition, box and if it still has all the paper work that originally came with it, I would think that it would be in the $650- $850+ on a good day at auction on GB.



Shoot all the .38 Special and any .357 Magnum that you find out of it.

Thanks for the reply, our guns look pretty much identical. You got yourself a great deal then. I plan to take it to the range soon and have some fun and make some good memories with it.

I have four grandchildren now myself, one may get it willed to them too if it lasts as long.

It's feels really well balanced and hefty in the hand - I've heard .357 is a hot load - we'll see!!


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[zogger]

Very nice gun! Also the sentimental value is great. Please post a range report after you shoot it.

 

[rwt1405]

Very nice! 3" nickel M13's are a bit scarce and any 3" K frame is kinda a hot ticket now. A great way to remember your Grandfather!

I found a 3" nickel M13 last Fall and it is a favorite of mine, I won an auction on Gunbroker for mine, I paid $485 which I think was a very good price, yours with the condition, box and if it still has all the paper work that originally came with it, I would think that it would be in the $650- $850+ on a good day at auction on GB.



Shoot all the .38 Special and any .357 Magnum that you find out of it.

I'd break my arm getting my wallet out to pay $650 for yours or the OP's!

To the OP, the Model 13, in blue & 3", was the last revolver issued by the FBI, to the best of my memory.

They are a great handgun and I have been searching for a 3", in my area, for a few years.

The only Model 13 I've found is a 4", which I bought.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Great family heirloom... and one of the best open or concealed carry revolvers 'ever" made......

Market value...with everything...... IMO $600-900; as nickle 13s are at best fairly uncommon..... vs the much more common (at the time) and in demand stainless 3" 65s.

Hogue grips are going for about $100 new these days.The (looks like) round to square butt target grips...... w/ football cutout.......I have no idea but a WAG ........ $100-200 range.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Hi Keith:

Welcome to the Forum. Your 3.0 inch barreled, factory nickeled Model 13 is a very desirable handgun. The excellent condition of the piece, along with the original grips, box, etc. are definite plusses. I agree with Glashaus' comments. As to value, on a good day, to the right person, I think you might be able to realize $1,000.00 on its sale.

If you keep and shoot the piece, which I hope you do, you'll want to limit the use of 125 gr. rounds in .357 Magnum. Back in the day when revolvers ruled, the 125 gr. JHP round was a highly regarded as a "man stopper" round. Unfortunately, extensive use of this round lead to frame cracking just below the barrel where the famous flat is located.

Congratulations on a great inheritance, and my condolences on your loss.

Regards,

Dave

PS - I've added a photo of my 3.0 inch barreled Model 65-3 beside my Model 13-3. The blued steel Model 13 with 3.0 inch barrel was the last revolver issued by the FBI to their agents, while the 3.0 inch barreled Model 65 was issued by the DEA to their agents.

Regards,

Dave

 

[gnystrom]

As you should already know, you have a treasure in your hands. Highly desirable, perfect balanced, and a great way to remember your grandfather. Start off with a few boxes of 38 specials and reserve the .357 for the end of your shoot.

Head to YouTube and find a "how to clean my____" and clean it properly. Research and learn what chemicals may cause harm to your nickle finish, ammonia being one of the most prominent.
Store the gun properly and above all. Keep that box and everything in it safe and protected.

Your grandfather obviously had an eye for the best. I hope my grandchildren are posting on this forum the very same comments someday.

 

[MrG5122]

You have a gem there! I lucked into a 3" M65 at a pawn shop. The same configuration as yours except in stainless. I fell in love with the way it felt and shot immediately. I've been looking for a M13 ever since and haven't seen one nor another 3" M65. That was a couple of years ago. Hang on to that one!

 

[keith.lambert.37]

Wow!! There's some knowledge on this forum, thanks for the advice. Didn't know about the larger 125 loads, the cleaning solutions or the significance of the box and oiled paper it came in, grips etc. thanks guys!!!


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[Glashaus]

Keith, for a lot of fun, shoot 158gr .38 Specials out of your M13, if you can find some .38 wadcutter's, even more fun. very mild loads for the 3" heavy barrel!

 

[lunger]

Not really old. 1984-85.

Capt you know your gettin up there when a 33 year old gun is not really old. I am there too

Great inheritance that one deserves to stay in the family.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Keith:

I don't know if you are aware of this or not, but if you shoot .38 Special ammo out of your revolver, you will get a build up in the charge holes in your cylinder. This build up is normal, and is the result of carbon, as well as lead from the projectile. You will need to remove this residue prior to trying to load and shoot .357 Magnum ammo. You can, of course, fire the .357 Magnum ammo first, and then fire the .38 Special ammo, but eventually you will have to remove the residue. There are different methods to remove this build up including the use of an oversized gun cleaning brush (use a brush 1 caliber larger - so a .40 S&W brush in this case), or you can use a Lewis Lead Remover - which is an excellent tool. Also, if you use a FMJ bullet, the build up won't be quite as bad as it would be if you use lead bullets.

Good luck,

Dave

 

[Topsarge]

Your Grandfather had great taste. In my opinion, a model 13 3" in nickel is a great .357 to have. Probably would be on the top of my list for a .357. A rare piece.

 

[keith.lambert.37]

Keith:



I don't know if you are aware of this or not, but if you shoot .38 Special ammo out of your revolver, you will get a build up in the charge holes in your cylinder. This build up is normal, and is the result of carbon, as well as lead from the projectile. You will need to remove this residue prior to trying to load and shoot .357 Magnum ammo. You can, of course, fire the .357 Magnum ammo first, and then fire the .38 Special ammo, but eventually you will have to remove the residue. There are different methods to remove this build up including the use of an oversized gun cleaning brush (use a brush 1 caliber larger - so a .40 S&W brush in this case), or you can use a Lewis Lead Remover - which is an excellent tool. Also, if you use a FMJ bullet, the build up won't be quite as bad as it would be if you use lead bullets.



Good luck,



Dave

I wasn't, thanks Dave!


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[Jingles]

What you have there is a Holy Grail gun to many. Gramps did right by you! A 3" Nickle Heavy-barreled Model 13 with box and tools would easily bring $1K here in So Cal; probably more if you didn't mind waiting a day or two.

Really, really nice gun. The only thing that would make it better is if it were mine. Congrats.

 

[okiegtrider]

I have four grandchildren now myself, one may get it willed to them too if it lasts as long.

It's feels really well balanced and hefty in the hand - I've heard .357 is a hot load - we'll see!!

Really nice revolver. That it was your grandfather's gun, pretty much makes it priceless. Hope you cherish it.

With a little care that S&W will outlast the grandkids.

And yes, if you touch off a few full house magnums, you'll know you got a handful of something!