K-Frame Surprise

B

Blackshirt

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I just received a very nice K-Frame from my father. For years I thought it was a Model 65, but upon looking it over closely I realized it was a nickel plated 13-1. Though the stocks are a bit scratched up, the lockup is tight, the finish is perfect, and the trigger is superb. The M65 would have been great, but a nickel 13-1 is a very nice surprise.

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All it has had since I received it is a silicon cloth wipedown. It will get the full blown detailed cleaning on the next rainy day...
 
You have a very nice model 13 there and even more special considering it was a family item.
The nickels clean up really well. The 4" 13 is worse for wear but it still cleaned up nicely. The 3" 13 was in better shape but turned out quite well also.

Looking forward to seeing your glamor shots!
 

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Just for future reference, the model number appears on the frame in the area facing the yoke of the revolver, so that the model number appears when the cylinder is opened. Naturally, this applies to revolvers with model numbers. S&W began stamping model numbers on revolvers in approximately 1957.
 
Congrats. You have a very nice example of one of the great service revolvers. You photo makes it look like its got a Masterpiece hammer, but I cant tell for sure. My model 65 came with one.
 
Here's an example of a gun I bought a year ago at a gun show. It was so bad, I wasn't even sure it was nickel. I stuck it in a plastic bag the seller gave me and wouldn't even show it to any my dealer friends at the show. I did show it one very good friend. He made a face and said maybe it would be fun to shoot. Back home with all the right products, it turned out like this. A 10-6 from 1963. It really was nickel. Even has the big "N" on the grip frame under the grips. The seller wouldn't let me remove the grips before buying it. It's a wonder I even bought it.
 

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You'll love that model 13 on the range.
I have a blued -1 in four inch that is a fun little
gun. I have used mine as an EDC as well.
Congrats and enjoy it.


Chuck
 
Looks like it cleaned up real nicely! A great addition to your collection, especially since it came from your father.
 
I think you made a good transformation! I bought a 13-2 on impulse at a gun show. It is a different flavor though. I really enjoy shooting it though.
Enjoy that shiny 13! Bob
 

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The SN puts it as a 1975 gun.

It can be difficult to tell between a bright polished stainless and a nickel K frame revolver (or a dull nickel and regular stainless ;)). One clue is from that era a model 13 had the case-hardened hammer and trigger and the 65 parts would be "flash chromed" or silver.

Nice rehab and enjoy!
 
Thanks for dating it for me, Alan. The wear on the right grip stock indicates that it was probably a duty gun (the other stock is pristine, the cop must have been right-handed). My dad bought it used around 1980, so the 1975 born-date sounds right. I'm very happy with this piece. I've always been partial to K-Frames, but have not had one since getting out of PPC back in the eighties. The fact that this one was carried by my dad just makes it that much better...
 
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