Model 13-3 Production Date?

[Rule556]

Hello all,

I recently picked up a Smith and Wesson Model 13-3 revolver and I have a couple questions. I was told that it was a police trade-in. It's got a 4" barrel with fixed sights, a square butt and blue finish. It's chambered in .357 Mag.

1) Can anyone give me an approximate production date? I'm not sure what its serial number is: on the bottom of the grip it says AVF44xx and on the side of the grip, under the stocks, it has a "K" in a circle, followed by 47xx and an "F" in a triangle. Which of these is the serial number? I was told that the serial number was on the grip, but that's the extent of my knowledge...

2) My revolver is in about 80+% condition. I payed $260 for it. Did I get a fair deal?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Maddock]

The AVF44xx is the serial number, the others are assembly and factory codes. For this vintage, the serial number is always on the bottom of the butt.
The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson shows the production date of approximately July 1987. Smith & Wesson does (did) not always ship sequentially. A factory letter by Roy Jinks (the S&W historian) would be the ultimate authority.