Recently Picked Up a Model 3913

jmcisc

jmcisc

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A few days ago I picked up a Model 3913, that looks ANIB. 2 mags, but no papers. I'm trying to put a date on it. My very old copies of SCSW and the Blue Book aren't much help. I'll try to add some pictures to this post. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Joel
 

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  • 3913 L Side Serial No.jpg
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  • 3913 R Side 2.jpg
    3913 R Side 2.jpg
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  • 3913 Blue Box Label.jpg
    3913 Blue Box Label.jpg
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Welcome to the Forum, Joel!

3913 production ran approx. 1988-2005.

Earliest models had silver trigger and hammer and came in a blue cardboard box (circa 1988-1994).

Middle production models had a blackened trigger and hammer and came in a squarish, blue plastic box (c. 1995-2000).

Last production had black MIM (Metal Injection Molded) triggers and hammers and came in a more "rounded" blue plastic box (c. 2001-2005).

However, never say never with S&W.

Your box label looks unusual to me but I haven't seen everything (also see last sentence).

My guess is mid 1990s production.

A call to S&W customer service will likely get you a definitive answer.

John
 
WTN1271 said:
Looks great. Is there more info on the label that is not shown in the picture, spec ?
Click to expand...

That's everything that appears on the label. No additional information that I can find.

Thanks, for your help.
 
jmcisc said:
I'm trying to put a date on it.
Click to expand...
Best I can offer up is that my VAU4xxx serial numbered pistol is dated mid-1994. I've got others closer, but no factory box. :o

As always, I'm sure you know that S&W CS can give you an exact shipping date tomorrow. :)
 
Thanks guys. Now I have some serious doubts about the seller. What I'm wondering is why go to that much trouble to "manufacture" a label.
What advantage would there be for him?
 
TTSH said:
Best I can offer up is that my VAU4xxx serial numbered pistol is dated mid-1994. I've got others closer, but no factory box. :o

As always, I'm sure you know that S&W CS can give you an exact shipping date tomorrow. :)
Click to expand...

It looks like a phone call to S&W is in my future.
Thanks, TTSH.
 
jmcisc said:
Thanks guys. Now I have some serious doubts about the seller. What I'm wondering is why go to that much trouble to "manufacture" a label.
What advantage would there be for him?
Click to expand...
Well, don't panic unless he/she represented the gun to be "Like New In Original Factory Box" or similar (and you paid for that condition). It's a fake label for sure, but some people like to put a label like that on a substitute factory box just for their own use. Nothing really wrong with that, although I think the practice is a little suspicious. It only gets nasty and into fraud & misrepresentation if the owner tries to sell the package as all original. :o
 
TTSH said:
Well, don't panic unless he/she represented the gun to be "Like New In Original Factory Box" or similar (and you paid for that condition). It's a fake label for sure, but some people like to put a label like that on a substitute factory box just for their own use. Nothing really wrong with that, although I think the practice is a little suspicious. It only gets nasty and into fraud & misrepresentation if the owner tries to sell the package as all original. :o
Click to expand...

He only said the gun was "like new", and wasn't sure if it had ever been shot. He said he was "helping a friend" liquidate his collection. I had purchased another gun from him in the past.
 
jmcisc said:
He only said the gun was "like new", and wasn't sure if it had ever been shot. He said he was "helping a friend" liquidate his collection. I had purchased another gun from him in the past.
Click to expand...
The gun looks to be in excellent shape from the pix, so as long as you didn't pay a premium, in your view, for the original factory box, it would be hard to say that you got zinged. :cool:
 
Very nice looking 3913 - I found a second one earlier this year & they are definitely getting harder to find in near-new condition. The second one came in a blue one-piece box that had a label similar to the one below. The labels for that era - and newer - are easy to fabricate with internet access and a color printer. I use Avery label blanks and have made a few for handguns I've bought that didn't come with boxes. I will be resting (in formaldehyde!) when they are sold so I won't mind someone pointing out that they look fake!! Whoever made the fake label on your box at least did a good job lining up the text and numbers!

xQYDAlJ.jpg
 
GeoJelly said:
Very nice looking 3913 - I found a second one earlier this year & they are definitely getting harder to find in near-new condition. The second one came in a blue one-piece box that had a label similar to the one below. The labels for that era - and newer - are easy to fabricate with internet access and a color printer. I use Avery label blanks and have made a few for handguns I've bought that didn't come with boxes. I will be resting (in formaldehyde!) when they are sold so I won't mind someone pointing out that they look fake!! Whoever made the fake label on your box at least did a good job lining up the text and numbers!

xQYDAlJ.jpg
Click to expand...

I appreciate the information. For a while there I was beginning to think someone pulled a fast one on me.
 
Nice score! As mentioned up above, call smith and wesson, even if a newbie answers the phone, they can still give you a date... I've called on all of mine... I paid the same for mine with a cardboard box and only one mag... great carry piece...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Nice gun, good price.

VAL#### serial numbers date to 1994 according to the SCSW.

That label (and the box) don't appear correct. I'd expect a cardboard, not a plastic box. The label looks like it goes with an older series, maybe revolvers.

There are people who sell reproduction blank labels to the fake "collector" gun market.

All of that said, at that price as long as the gun functions, you got a good deal.
 
GaryS said:
Nice gun, good price.

VAL#### serial numbers date to 1994 according to the SCSW.

That label (and the box) don't appear correct. I'd expect a cardboard, not a plastic box. The label looks like it goes with an older series, maybe revolvers.

There are people who sell reproduction blank labels to the fake "collector" gun market.

All of that said, at that price as long as the gun functions, you got a good deal.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Gary. I feel better knowing that I didn't overpay, but I'm beginning to wonder about the seller, since the box and label are questionable.
 
Okay, here's the latest from S&W Customer Service. This 3913 was manufactured in April 1994. Natalia also provided some general information about the model. She wasn't sure about the box being correct, but thought it was. The label is obviously a fake.

Thanks for all of your help. I never would have noticed the label issue, if you hadn't brought it to my attention.

I can't tell you how happy and appreciative I am that I joined this forum and met such knowledgeable, friendly and helpful folks.
Joel
 
Good to know that the SCSW has the date range correct for the VAL perfix. Well, as correct as it can be.

As to the seller, I guess that would depend on the story he gave you. Unless he was trying to tell you that it was a "rare and highly valuable special edition" or something like that, I wouldn't worry.

Given what he sold it for, I doubt he was trying anything shady.

In general though, you should buy the gun, not the story.

Before you bring it to the range, I'd advise cleaning, lubricating, and replacing the recoil spring.

If you call customer service again and ask, they might send you a recoil spring at no cost.



jmcisc said:
Okay, here's the latest from S&W Customer Service. This 3913 was manufactured in April 1994. Natalia also provided some general information about the model. She wasn't sure about the box being correct, but thought it was. The label is obviously a fake.

Thanks for all of your help. I never would have noticed the label issue, if you hadn't brought it to my attention.

I can't tell you how happy and appreciative I am that I joined this forum and met such knowledgeable, friendly and helpful folks.
Joel
Click to expand...
 
GaryS said:
Good to know that the SCSW has the date range correct for the VAL perfix. Well, as correct as it can be.

As to the seller, I guess that would depend on the story he gave you. Unless he was trying to tell you that it was a "rare and highly valuable special edition" or something like that, I wouldn't worry.

Given what he sold it for, I doubt he was trying anything shady.

In general though, you should buy the gun, not the story.

Before you bring it to the range, I'd advise cleaning, lubricating, and replacing the recoil spring.

If you call customer service again and ask, they might send you a recoil spring at no cost.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Gary. That's a great idea about the recoil spring. I'll call again later.
Joel
 
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