Mod 13-2

[Sunfang]

Hi Guys
Today I found a diamond in the rough. Sitting alone unloved among shiny semi autos at a local pawn shop, I discovered a nickeled 3" 13-2. She was dirty and wearing a set of squarebutt Pacymiers, and White out on the front and rear sights. The worst part is, that some fumble fingered animal had dropped her and broken about 1/8 of an inch off of her hammer spur. Her action is tight and has no endshake or push off. The nickel still has no pits or scratches. The shop owner wanted $450, I offered $300 and he countered with $325 OTD when I pointed out the broken hammer spur. I put some cash down on it till, I can get my extra duty pay. She's in desperate need of a good cleaning, some new shoes and some love for her hammer. the serial number is 9D33XX made sometime in late 1981. I can't wait to get her home and fix her up! Even the wife approves! I'll try to post some pictures when I get her out of jail. I don't think that I got hurt but, you guys would be the ones to tell me if I did.

 

[Sailfish 40]

Sounds like you stole it. Looking forward to pictures!

 

[jaykellogg]

A 3" model 13 is a desirable gun. That price is an attractive price too, I would have bought it. You can remove the hammer spur completely and make it DAO or you can put in a new hammer. Is the hammer and trigger nickeled?

 

[Captain Hornet]

There is probably a APB out for Sunfang, BLO, he stole a model 13,

 

[texmex]

As far as the broken hammer spur, I would probably just finish bobbing it. Like everyone else has said, it was a steal at that price. Most 13s were blue. I would guess that there are way more nickel 4 inch than nickel 3 inch. Probably hard for you to see the logo on the sideplate due to the reflection of your huge grin when you look at it.

 

[vytoland]

a pinned and recessed 3" model 13 with a nickel finish is indeed a very good find. at a price of $325, you needed worry if you made a good deal.....YOU DID!!!. if it should happen to be marked "N.Y.S.P." you may have hit a jackpot...

 

[Sunfang]

Here are the pictures that I promised of my new dirty girl.

 

[Captain Hornet]

Sunfang, It looks to me like the cylender is cut for moonclips. Perhaps someone could comment on that. The hammer looks okay to me. David

 

[Sunfang]

Hey Captain Hornet, my old man taught me how to pick the jewels from the junk! Here is a better picture of the busted hammer spur.

 

[KEN L]

I'd just dress off that hammer spur where it is broken. That gun will clean up nicely. A nice set of magna stocks and a Tyler T will set that off nicely. Can't wait to see her when she's all spiffed up. Good save, you are a kind soul! But, you still might want to keep a watch over your shoulder for a while. You may see a gendarme sneaking up on you wanting to make a collar!

And for Captain Hornet, the cylinder is what is referred to as recessed. Since it's a magnum the cylinder is cut so that the case heads seat flush with the rear of the cylinder.

 

[planoracer]

I have a 13-3 bright nickel that I believe to be an FBI issue from 1974.
It's a 85% with a pair of Hogue combat grips.Paid $475 at a GS last year.
I would like to get another S&W only in a smaller frame.

 

[hotrod150]

X2 on just dressing that busted hammer off at the current length. Not that much shorter than standard. Or just bob it for DA work. I have three bobbed Chiefs & really like that mod for a carry gun.

 

[Sailfish 40]

Nice. perfect candidate for DAO. I'd grind the hammer spur of mine but want to be able to keep it original and not buy another hammer.

 

[Sunfang]

I managed to finally scrub the **** off of the sights. I think it was some kind of glow-in-dark enamel. I tried to remove it with enamel thinner, MEK, and lacquer thinner, all without effect. I finally resorted to scraping it off with an X-acto knife. I don't think that the piece has ever been cleaned because, the nickeling shows no signs of degradation from copper solvent exposure. I have scrubbed, scrubbed, and then scrubbed some more. I have removed what feels like a pound of powdered lead and burnt powder, and still see more that needs to come off. I haven't addressed the hammer yet and have not found any decent grips for her yet. Since I'm going to have to order grips, I'm torn between Hogue Bantams and Altamont Boot Grips. Any opinions are welcome.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Sunfang, It looks to me like the cylender is cut for moonclips. Perhaps someone could comment on that. The hammer looks okay to me. David

It isn't cut for moonclips. It is a pinned and recessed .357 Magnum. In the olden days, Smith & Wesson pinned the barrels and cut the cylinders of magnum revolvers so the rims were fully recessed which meant the cylinder went almost all the way to the recoil shield. I have a 3 inch Model 13-3 that is not pinned or recessed because S&W stopped doing that in around 1982.

ECS

 

[elm_creek_smith]

That'd look good with my Bianchi Lightning grips. Why don't you just send it along so I can try it out, see what it looks like?

ECS

 

[dcopper]

Nice find! I love the 13's, got five of them. 3 3inch and 2 4in.