I have a Model 13-1 that has a .38 spl. barrel on it rather than a .357 mag barrel. Is that unusual or is that normal. I cannot find any information that shows the 13-1 with a .38 barrel. Any information on rarity (if it is rare) and value for an excellent condition gun would be appreciated.
S&W Model 13-1 Question
- Thread starter pokerjack
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Do you mean that the barrel is stamped 38 special? There were some 13-4's in 38 special that were made for the Thai police. I suppose it is possible that a barrel from a M-10 could have been installed. Again, it is not uncommon for guns to be mismarked. Does it chamber 357?
Model 13-1
The cylinder yoke area clearly is marked 13-1 and the right side of the barrel is clearly marked .38 spl. The person I got the gun from has a great deal of knowledge about idiosyncracies of guns and he can spot an oddball if anyone could. If the gun is unusual, I want to keep it. If it is just a basic gun, I want to sell it.
The cylinder yoke area clearly is marked 13-1 and the right side of the barrel is clearly marked .38 spl. The person I got the gun from has a great deal of knowledge about idiosyncracies of guns and he can spot an oddball if anyone could. If the gun is unusual, I want to keep it. If it is just a basic gun, I want to sell it.
ColdBlueSteel
Member
diamonback68
US Veteran
Me too. If it doesn't chamber a .357 then it's just a mismarked model 10.
diamonback68
US Veteran
But we don't know the serial number, only you do. Question still remains, does it chamber a .357 Mag cartridge?
The only 13s chambered for the .38Special that I know of was the -4 made for Thialand.
roaddog28
Member
Hi,
The serial number would help as well as pictures. Could be a mismarked revolver. Model 10-6 were chamber in 357 magnum and supplied to LE. But this 13 of yours at best in rare. Try to supply a serial number.
Howard
The serial number would help as well as pictures. Could be a mismarked revolver. Model 10-6 were chamber in 357 magnum and supplied to LE. But this 13 of yours at best in rare. Try to supply a serial number.
Howard
akfishguide
Member
I think the cylinder length would be the deciding identifier. It might just be a .357 put together with misc. parts as S&W has been known to do.
But we don't know the serial number, only you do. Question still remains, does it chamber a .357 Mag cartridge?
The only 13s chambered for the .38Special that I know of was the -4 made for Thialand.
Dick I just looked at a 13-4 with a 3" 38 Spl barrel, it is marked TH under the left stock. I know it is for the Thialand Police. It has a ported barrel, looks factory. Do you know if it is correct?
No,
It is not. It has .38 S&W Special on the barrel.
It is not. It has .38 S&W Special on the barrel.
captainjohnsofd
Member
If the cylinder chambers the .357 cartridge and the barrel has ".38 Special" on it I would shoot only .38 Specials. I replaced a corroded Model 13 barrel years ago with a Model 10 barrel. I think I got off one cylinder full of magnum loads before the forcing cone cracked. The .38 Special barrels are not heat-treated the same as .357 Magnum barrels. Just my experience....FWIW
ffbigdawg
Member
I saw one that looked similar to what is being described on gunbroker not to long ago. I let it go for fear it was a basement gunsmith creation.
diamonback68
US Veteran
I don't think the Thailand guns were ported and were 4", but a 3" Magnaported barrel could have been installed aftermarket or there may have been some special ordered 3" for Thailand. Not sure, may take some research.
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