Model 13 Special Order Question

[Axesbold]

Hi all, Been lurking and enjoying but this is my first post, and it's a question. I have had this 13 for a while. It looks new to me. I have the box but no papers. As you can see from the photo under Spec. Ord it shows 9582, and under Features it reads Special. Was wondering what, if anything, this may refer to. Thanks for looking and thanks for any info anyone may have.

 

[nedlate]

I can't help with the Special features but I will say that is very nice. 3" barrel looks great! A welcome to you with your first post!
Ed

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! In the era of this revolver the Special Order number usually indicated the year and numerical day of that year, but this one really appears to be a special code as there is no 582nd day of the year. A call to S & W customer service may bring you an answer.

 

[Dennis The B]

Welcome!! And, that's a beautiful Model 13! It's the epitome of utility .357 magnum revolvers. If you didn't know, that model was an FBI standard issue for several years. It has everything you need, and nothing you don't.

However, you may want to consider putting a different set of stocks on it, if you're going to shoot it regularly. Those Magna, or service stocks, don't fill most folks' hands, and they're not that comfortable. A set of Pachmayr's, or Hogue's would work; so would a set of stocks made by Ahrends.

Again, a beautiful revolver. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[Axesbold]

Thanks for the welcomes, compliment, and info. Looks like a call may be in order...

 

[Axesbold]

Thanks D the B!

Here's a couple more and some leather.

The nickle 13 and the blue 13 I really haven't carried and fired. The 65 I carry frequently and fire a few magnums, but mainly 38 wads for fun. Yes, it's a handful with the magnas, but I only fire a few magnums at a time.

 

[shouldazagged]

Welcome from Louisville. Glad you emerged from lurking to show us that fine 13.

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome! In the era of this revolver the Special Order number usually indicated the year and numerical day of that year, but this one really appears to be a special code as there is no 582nd day of the year. A call to S & W customer service may bring you an answer.

When the features say SPECIAL, the Spec Ord number is really a special order number.

Like here on this model 19 shipped to the Diplomatic Security Service.

These are the Smith & Wessons to get letters for.





"S&W - Every rule has an exception"

 

[KLYDE]

Goodness! You've got a pile of 3" K's most of us can only dream about. Very nice.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

"S&W - Every rule has an exception"

Yes. There's even exceptions to the exceptions. Sometimes you'll see a "Special" and the Spec. Ord. # will be a valid Julian date. Other times there will be a "Special" with two sequence of Spec. Ord. numbers side-by-side, one a Julian date and the other... only S&W knows!

 

[Dennis The B]

... Sometimes you'll see a "Special" and the Spec. Ord. # will be a valid Julian date. Other times there will be a "Special" with two sequence of Spec. Ord. numbers side-by-side, one a Julian date and the other... only S&W knows!

Betcha can't say that three times in a row!!

 

[shawn mccarver]

At one time, customer service would and could look up a product code and tell you more information about the firearm in question. Whether they would now or not, given how busy they are, is anybody's guess. I cannot imagine that there is not someone at the factory who can, with a product code and special order number tell you all about your revolver.

Naturally, if you cannot get the information for free, there is one sure way to get the information. A factory letter will tell you everything you want to know in terms of when shipped, with what features and to whom it was shipped.

 

[Axesbold]

Thanks for all this info gents. My plan is a call and if they can't help me to send in for the letter. According to the Standard Catalog, FBI issue was 74 and 86-87, and this one dates to 1988 I think. The BAB prefix is not specifically listed so I'm not sure I'm reading the chart right.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I have a BAB80XX in my own s/n collection and it shipped March 15, 1988. Your BAB11XX is likely near that, give or take a few weeks or days.

 

[murphydog]

Thanks for all this info gents. My plan is a call and if they can't help me to send in for the letter. According to the Standard Catalog, FBI issue was 74 and 86-87, and this one dates to 1988 I think. The BAB prefix is not specifically listed so I'm not sure I'm reading the chart right.

There are large gaps in the three letter prefix data table (among others) in the SCSW 3rd edition. Don't know how much motivation the authors or publisher have to write the 4th edition, but given the wealth of information from Forum members it would be an interesting project to see if these gaps could be closed from members' information about their own guns.

 

[Axesbold]

Thanks again guys! Early 1988 it is.