Need some help dating a Model 13-3, 4" Revolver

[dpilipis]

Hello folks,

I'm new to the forum here. By way of background, I'm a gunsmith/dealer and I picked up, some time ago, before I was a dealer, a S&W Model 13-3, 4" barrel, blued revolver. Serial number is ABS7731. It's in very good condition. Nice grips, but not original to the gun (Altamont wood grips, looks like walnut, with S&W medallion). Unfortunately, I don't have one of those catalogs. I was looking for a date of manufacture, by the looks of it, based on the model number we are talking about the early 80s but I wanted to be sure (and precise as to the year). Also, curious what sort of value I should be looking for here.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Those triple alphas are a bear. I am guesstimating 1983. I am confident better info will be along soon.

 

[dpilipis]

Those triple alphas are a bear. I am guesstimating 1983. I am confident better info will be along soon.

Thanks. That's kind of what I was figuring, plus or minus a year. I bought this gun for 500ish a number of years back and figured it might be time to cash in.

That's the hard part of becoming a dealer: I no longer get to fall in love with guns the way I once did. I have to start viewing them as commodities.

 

[haywood]

ABS Is not in the catalog that I can find. Most of the AB’s are in 1983 or 1984.

 

[Buford57]

When I'm trying to date a revolver I always offer to take her to the range and feed her some high quality ammo followed by a vintage bottle of Hoppes and a rubdown with an oily rag. Seldom fails.

 

[MrG5122]

Thanks. That's kind of what I was figuring, plus or minus a year. I bought this gun for 500ish a number of years back and figured it might be time to cash in.

That's the hard part of becoming a dealer: I no longer get to fall in love with guns the way I once did. I have to start viewing them as commodities.

I watch these on GB because I've been lusting after one since I acquired a M65. My guess is around $900. If it was a three inch round butt in the condition you describe 75% more.

 

[dpilipis]

I watch these on GB because I've been lusting after one since I acquired a M65. My guess is around $900. If it was a three inch round butt in the condition you describe 75% more.

Yeah, it looks like the 3" is far more popular. Still, that's quite a few bucks more than I paid for it, so it turned out to be a decent buy. Thanks for the input. Much appreciated.