What do I have here?

[Richard07924]

Smith and wesson 13-3, stainless steel with a bobbed hammer and 3 inch barrel. I was told by the original owner that the hammer was bobbed originally from the factory.

So here's my question, a google search tells me that this is in fact a model 65, when the yoke is clearly marked 13-3. Is it possible that Google has let me down? Or is it possible that my model 13 has been coated?

Can anyone tell me when it was manufactured? The serial number starts ACY 81.

I'm also curious, what's it worth? Again, google tells me somewhere between $500 and $800. Can this be accurate? I paid $300 for it (no box or paperwork).

Thanks

 

[4330Inroute]

I don't know about if it's coated or not but I LIKE IT!

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

serial number starts ACY 81

June '84 to Oct. '85.

To me it looks like it's been industrial hard chromed. It's one of the best finishes available, if you don't mind the stainless/silver look. Tough as nails. Price wise I think you did good. Collector value is nil, but a IHC finish runs $250 to $300, so there's some value in that, even for a gun that'll just be a shooter.

 

[bananaman]

It looks good! Would make a great home defense gun, or use it for carry.
Guns don't need to have collector value to be fun to shoot! $300 for a 3 incher, you did well in my book! Shoot the heck out of it! Bob

 

[BAM-BAM]

That is a great price on a great concealed carry revolver.......is it DAO or was the hammer just bobbed?

 

[S&W Fan]

Kernel seems spot on, definitely looks like a hard chrome finish. If you want to make a quick C note let me know!!! Yeah, I'd say you got a great deal.

 

[Jaymo]

Collector value be damned!
That is a sweet setup.
Harder and more corrosion resistant than stainless steel.
Nice hammer bob.
Great self defense gun.
Did you kiss them first, or buy them dinner after?
That was a steal.
Any functional K frame runs at least $200.
For $100 more, you got a less common, more popular .357 K frame.
You win.

 

[Richard07924]

Thanks everyone for the replays.

To answer a few questions, I got it about 10 years ago for my (then) wife to carry in her purse. It served her well while we were in a free state, but was retired to the safe when we moved to NJ. For all the time it spent in her purse, the gun is in excellent condition, very few minor marks.

The original owner told me that the gun came which the bobbed hammer, but playing with it, I am able to pull the hammer back and fire the gun single action.

Currently the gun lives in my bedroom safe, loaded with SD 357 magnum loads (Federal Hydro shocks) in case things "bump" in the night.

I've thought about selling it, which is what lead me to start looking it up on Google. It's a great gun though, and I'm not sure it's worth what I'd want for it. (I wouldn't sell it for less then $700.)

After I paid for the gun, the guy I bought it off of acted like I'd done him a huge favor in paying $300, so there was no need to kiss him, or take him out to dinner. I just figured that a Smith and Wesson at that price had to be a good deal (regardless of the fact that I knew I had NO idea what it was worth.)

Thanks again guys.

 

[BAM-BAM]

10 YEARS AGO........Well that changes everything........LOL

$300 was an OK price..... remember seeing a number of 3" 64s and 65 back then for $300-350.

Doubt you'd get $700 for it; most modified guns don't get the cost of the mods back on resale...... unless you can demonstrate a someone like Novak or Wilson did the customization......... if not most of us will assume it was "Bubba" under an old oak tree while drinking.... 30 to a $12 case of beer!

But yours does look like a nice $300 gun......LOL


Edit: Reread your post....... you have shot it ? right?????? Bet a LGS offered him $200 for it ......or less!!

 

[Richard07924]

Reread your post....... you have shot it ? right??????

I have. In fact there was a time it was one of my favorites to shoot. I have no idea how many rounds I've put through it, easily over 700. Mostly 38 special, but some 357 as well.

 

[grumpy7159]

Looks like it has been coated. Model 13's were blued or nickel. 13-3 was a 1982 engineering change and the serial number was used (?) between Jan 1983 and Oct 1983 according to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson
Value probably no more than $350