SC_Mike
Member
I'd try to find all the history on it before I thought about refinishing it.
Leave it as is... or...!? Update 6/18/10 See Pg. 5
- Thread starter big50_1
- Start date
Leave it as is...or...!? Update
O.K. so here's where it all stands. Picked up the gun today and was greatly impressed with its mechanical condition. Obviously, it has seen some neglect but all the edges are sharp and the trigger/hammer/etc. edges are sharp. Except for the funky finish and cosmetic corrosion, the gun is mechanically brand new. I mean the typical trigger/hammer rub points like the trigger "nose" (hammer/trigger contact) and so forth, are essentially clean and new except it looks like the cylinder was opened and closed a lot! The screws are also not buggered! Go figure!?!? Certainly wasn't dry fired. The polish on the gun is good except the bluing is spotty. Essentially no scratches of note. Looks like a previous owner took a pair of pliers to the front of the ejector rod and scrubbed the knurling but the guy I got it from got another rod and that may be my first project.
So how do I find out about the gun's history? Write a letter to whom in the particular organization (Sacramento Sheriff)? The armorer or someone like that? Maybe the Training Unit? I'm not familiar how LEO organizations are setup.
Here is a currentl pic: All the ideas were great! I like the "use as is" idea because it reflects actual condition. Interesting: it was stamped "13-2" on the frame by the yoke then the "2" was overstamped with a different font "3". If I recall correctly, the 13-2 was P&R so this was stamped 13-2 but not drilled for "P". (See this is what I mean about ex-LEO weapons being interesting. Not the common run-of-the-mill S&W!)
O.K. so here's where it all stands. Picked up the gun today and was greatly impressed with its mechanical condition. Obviously, it has seen some neglect but all the edges are sharp and the trigger/hammer/etc. edges are sharp. Except for the funky finish and cosmetic corrosion, the gun is mechanically brand new. I mean the typical trigger/hammer rub points like the trigger "nose" (hammer/trigger contact) and so forth, are essentially clean and new except it looks like the cylinder was opened and closed a lot! The screws are also not buggered! Go figure!?!? Certainly wasn't dry fired. The polish on the gun is good except the bluing is spotty. Essentially no scratches of note. Looks like a previous owner took a pair of pliers to the front of the ejector rod and scrubbed the knurling but the guy I got it from got another rod and that may be my first project.
So how do I find out about the gun's history? Write a letter to whom in the particular organization (Sacramento Sheriff)? The armorer or someone like that? Maybe the Training Unit? I'm not familiar how LEO organizations are setup.
Here is a currentl pic: All the ideas were great! I like the "use as is" idea because it reflects actual condition. Interesting: it was stamped "13-2" on the frame by the yoke then the "2" was overstamped with a different font "3". If I recall correctly, the 13-2 was P&R so this was stamped 13-2 but not drilled for "P". (See this is what I mean about ex-LEO weapons being interesting. Not the common run-of-the-mill S&W!)
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Black Knight
Member
I would contact the sheriff. If there is a specific person that handles department history or weapon issue he/she should pass the letter on to them. You may want to call the sheriff first and tell him/her about the gun. Who knows he may put you directly in touch with the person you need. Good luck on finding out its history.
borntoraisehogs
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If you contact the law and they say "Oh we been looking all over for that one" let us know that too . I like it fine the way it is , but I would not be afraid to have some fun with it with a Brownell cold blue , or Blue Wonder . I will never have a gun polished and get the markings blurred again no matter what .
FYI, here's my other ex-LEO weapon.
1975 model 67 marked CHP (California Highway Patrol) Obviously, the stainless is more cosmetically forgiving. (What's with the Pachmayrs? How about some nice worn magnas for us collectors?)
By the way, the 67 cylinder was loosey-goosey regarding rotation on lockup so I got a MIM cylinder lock "thingie" (forget what it's called) (the thing that pops up from inside the frame and locks up the cylinder) from Brownells. Put it in and it works like a champ. Read somewhere gotta' get the MIM part as it's made to max specs or some such thing. Tightened up the lockup.
1975 model 67 marked CHP (California Highway Patrol) Obviously, the stainless is more cosmetically forgiving. (What's with the Pachmayrs? How about some nice worn magnas for us collectors?)
By the way, the 67 cylinder was loosey-goosey regarding rotation on lockup so I got a MIM cylinder lock "thingie" (forget what it's called) (the thing that pops up from inside the frame and locks up the cylinder) from Brownells. Put it in and it works like a champ. Read somewhere gotta' get the MIM part as it's made to max specs or some such thing. Tightened up the lockup.
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I too like to collect old LE Smith & Wessons. I have all three of my late Fathers S&W's and currently carry his 4566 as my duty weapon. I have to say I am not a fan of refinishing a gun that does not need it. With that said your Model 13 may need to be re-blued in order to preserve it as a gun. I did a refinish to my Fathers Model 66-2 and it was in need of it bad. Had some very deep dents and scratched on it and as you have said Stainless Steel is more forgiving. My Father also re-blued his first issued duty gun, a Model 15-4. It was in that same shape as your Model 13. He bead blasted it and it now has a very nice matte blue to it that will last longer. I personal would have sent it back to Smith & Wesson but it was his gun.
I think waiting to hear back on the history of your Model 13 is a wise choice. It may had some interesting part of California LE History. If not I would vote for a trip back to Springfield for a new blue job.
I think waiting to hear back on the history of your Model 13 is a wise choice. It may had some interesting part of California LE History. If not I would vote for a trip back to Springfield for a new blue job.
borntoraisehogs
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Watch the video . I have used this on my brothers accidently rusted model 57 . No polishing , no removing any original blue required . Beautiful match . Try it . It will not hurt that beautiful working gun a bit .
http://www.bluewonder.us/
http://www.bluewonder.us/
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sheriffoconee
Member
I am an old cop who grew up in the revolver days....and I don't see the point at all in refinishing such a fine M13. All that cosmetic damage tells a story...no telling what it is, but you lose all that "fixing" it. My Dad carried a 2" Model 10 for 20 years as a FBI agent, and it is scratched, scuffed, and the finish is far from perfect...but it tells a story...and I know where all those scratches and scuffs come from.
No telling what happened to yours....or who or how it got to be like it is....but there isn't anything wrong with it.
With that said, the beauty of living in America is that it is your choice....but as some other folks have said, refinishing it won't make you happy in the long run....ask me how I know....
No telling what happened to yours....or who or how it got to be like it is....but there isn't anything wrong with it.
With that said, the beauty of living in America is that it is your choice....but as some other folks have said, refinishing it won't make you happy in the long run....ask me how I know....
Am sending off a Roy Jinks S&W historical info request letter today on the 13-3. Will take about a month to find out it's first destination.
As an aside, I have a 66 that I swear was used as a cop gun: well-worn rubber grips, holster wear on front end left/right of barrel, thinned sides/squared front of the trigger to make it easier to shoot double action (seems to "index" easier), honest but not abusive wear, not thrown around at all. BUT no organizational stamping/name.
Without the organizational stamping, my opinion is an officer decided to personally upgrade his armament. I may take a chance to see if it was first sent to a police unit. What I don't know is when a police unit authorizes or mandates a gun change, do they always mark the gun?
As an aside, I have a 66 that I swear was used as a cop gun: well-worn rubber grips, holster wear on front end left/right of barrel, thinned sides/squared front of the trigger to make it easier to shoot double action (seems to "index" easier), honest but not abusive wear, not thrown around at all. BUT no organizational stamping/name.
Without the organizational stamping, my opinion is an officer decided to personally upgrade his armament. I may take a chance to see if it was first sent to a police unit. What I don't know is when a police unit authorizes or mandates a gun change, do they always mark the gun?
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DGNY
Member
As-is...or...?
Nice thread and good revolver. While waiting, why not shoot it and see if it is a finely accurate example. If so, maybe a refinish to celebrate its excellence at the range? Confess I would be tempted by the inexpensive home-blueing as a trial.
Good luck,
Dyson
Nice thread and good revolver. While waiting, why not shoot it and see if it is a finely accurate example. If so, maybe a refinish to celebrate its excellence at the range? Confess I would be tempted by the inexpensive home-blueing as a trial.
Good luck,
Dyson
Update 6/18/10
Well the letter for Sacto. Sheriff finally arrived. I decided to leave it in the condition I bought it for now. I think to be absolutely correct I should put some square magnas on her but I see so many pictures of 13s in PC magnas. Here are some current pictures and the S&W letter. (There is some overlap of text in the first two pictures. I wanted to get all the text on the pics. I don't have a cut and paste program right now for this.)
Well the letter for Sacto. Sheriff finally arrived. I decided to leave it in the condition I bought it for now. I think to be absolutely correct I should put some square magnas on her but I see so many pictures of 13s in PC magnas. Here are some current pictures and the S&W letter. (There is some overlap of text in the first two pictures. I wanted to get all the text on the pics. I don't have a cut and paste program right now for this.)
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WVfishguy
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Wouldn't bother me a bit to get it refinished and s up with a set of Ahrends maple grips, like my wife did with her 13-1.
The Model 13 is one of those classic guns which, IMHO, lends itself to restoration. They are quite pricey, at least the ones I've seen.
The Model 13 is one of those classic guns which, IMHO, lends itself to restoration. They are quite pricey, at least the ones I've seen.
Professor Frink
Member
I can remember when the Sacramento Sherriff's Office dumped these, I think it was about ten years ago, give or take. They came up for sale at the local Turner's Outdoorsman stores (local sporting goods shops here in Southern California). Seemed like most shops had at least a dozen and they were going for $179.99 if I remember correctly. I bought one and was really excited to get my first big .357 magnum. The condition of them varied, but I did not see one with as much blue loss as yours has experienced.
I stupidly sold it as I became enamored by Glocks and other high capacity 9mms. Now about all I shoot is round guns, I wish I still had it.
Sadly, with this crummy States political climate, I think most police agencies out here have their pistols destroyed rather than allow them to be purchased by the lowly citizens and Smith-Nuts like myself.
I stupidly sold it as I became enamored by Glocks and other high capacity 9mms. Now about all I shoot is round guns, I wish I still had it.
Sadly, with this crummy States political climate, I think most police agencies out here have their pistols destroyed rather than allow them to be purchased by the lowly citizens and Smith-Nuts like myself.
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In a couple of months, I think I'll send the gun back to S&W for a tech check. Will decide on refinishing then. Professor Frink-yeah, too bad on police guns being destroyed. They are very good guns to buy. Like that dancer in Chorus Line..."dance-10; looks-3". Or "mechanical-10;cosmetics-3". If you know of any ex-cop revolvers in the SoCal area, pls. give me a buzz. Thanks.
I kinda' remember ex-police revolvers being more available but ten, fifteen years ago I was into plastic semi-autos. Now that I've got that out of my system and am coming back full circle to revolvers, the ones I want from the last half of the 20th Century are difficult to find. There's a moral there somewhere!
Also there are fewer "full service" gun stores than before. They had a better selection of guns than most of the ones you go into today. And an on-site gunsmith! In San Diego, I used to go to Accuracy on University Ave. (gone), Weisners, downtown (gone), and Poway Gun Works in Poway, CA (gone). In the late '70s, I gave the Poway Gun Works smith a box of 1911 parts that I had collected (mostly USGI) and he gave me back a very nice looking/shooting .45 ACP 1911 built on a Crown City Arms frame w/Colt barrel/spring finger bushing. Labor was $85. High polished sides and matte everywhere else. (The back sight is a Wilsons Combat but the front sight the smith fabricated. Staked it on the first go around but it shot loose. He then silver soldered it. Hasn't moved since!)
As an aside, the two ex-police guns I have show what I would consider as a lot of carry wear but the screws are all in great shape. I assume that's because of police armorer care.
WVfishguy-very nice 13-1! I'm more into that type of look than the worn look. But I also know that any money I put into it will not be gotten out if I sell it. Decisions, decisions!!
I kinda' remember ex-police revolvers being more available but ten, fifteen years ago I was into plastic semi-autos. Now that I've got that out of my system and am coming back full circle to revolvers, the ones I want from the last half of the 20th Century are difficult to find. There's a moral there somewhere!
Also there are fewer "full service" gun stores than before. They had a better selection of guns than most of the ones you go into today. And an on-site gunsmith! In San Diego, I used to go to Accuracy on University Ave. (gone), Weisners, downtown (gone), and Poway Gun Works in Poway, CA (gone). In the late '70s, I gave the Poway Gun Works smith a box of 1911 parts that I had collected (mostly USGI) and he gave me back a very nice looking/shooting .45 ACP 1911 built on a Crown City Arms frame w/Colt barrel/spring finger bushing. Labor was $85. High polished sides and matte everywhere else. (The back sight is a Wilsons Combat but the front sight the smith fabricated. Staked it on the first go around but it shot loose. He then silver soldered it. Hasn't moved since!)
As an aside, the two ex-police guns I have show what I would consider as a lot of carry wear but the screws are all in great shape. I assume that's because of police armorer care.
WVfishguy-very nice 13-1! I'm more into that type of look than the worn look. But I also know that any money I put into it will not be gotten out if I sell it. Decisions, decisions!!
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