Smith & Wesson S&W 35, The Model of 1913 5th Type, Scarce Nickel 3 ½” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD c. 1917 C&R
Sold For: $1,160.00
LSB#: 161020JM18
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 35, The Model of 1913, 5th Type
Serial Number: 4100
Year of Manufacture: Approximately 1917
Caliber: .35 S&W
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Removable Magazine Fed Pistol
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “35 S.&W. AUTO. CTG”, flanked with Maltese crosses, the front strap of the grip frame has the serial number, the left of the frame has the monogram logo. The top of the barrel bridge is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. / PAT’D SEPTEMBER 13, 1910. DEC. 13, 1910 / FEB. 23, 1911. JULY 30, 1913. SEPT. 24, 1912”, flanked again by Maltese crosses.
Barrel Length: 3 ½”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade on top of the barrel assembly. The rear sight is a “U” channel on top of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth walnut with gold-colored S&W logo medallions. The left panel has a tiny chip loss on the rear, the butt has light marks. The right panel has only a few scuffs. There are no cracks or major damages. The grips rate in about Fine Plus to Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Nickel with Blue Slide, Trigger, Guard, Hand Safety & Magazine Release
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp and defined. There is extremely light frosting in the bore that we needed a magnifying glass to see.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. Some freckling is observed around the grip panels and in lighter, less frequent instances on the other surfaces. The top of the frame has a ding at the left of the “U” channel rear sight. The grip safety has some thinning and browning patina. The slide has edge wear from normal handling and the magazine release shows rubbing losses of its finish. General handling marks of shallow depth are found scattered on the surfaces as photographed. For being nearly 100 years old, this pistol still looks sharp. The screw heads are sharp to lightly tooled. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide is difficult to cock back unless the crossbolt lock is pressed, allowing the slide to come back with ease. To load the pistol in this manner, the slide has to be closed again by hand with the crossbolt depressed, the pistol then functions in single action like any other semi-automatic pistol. The front of the grip frame has a serrated grip safety, the manual safety is located on the back grip strap with an “S” and an arrow for safety directional indication. The mainspring is strong and the trigger pull is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is one 7-round blue magazine that does not bear any markings but appears to be a correct item for this pistol. The surfaces have handling and operational rub wear, with about 70% of its finish remaining. The spring is strong with un-marred feed lips, in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson .35 Caliber Model of 1913 was only made from 1913 to 1921, with a total production figure of about 8350. This is number 4100, with an astounding 90% of its finish remaining; for its age and intended roll as a pocket pistol, we think it’s looking great, especially being 103 years old. We’ve seen a few sparse 1913’s come through the shop over the years, but not in this condition; they are easily identified by their ‘Clement-Style’ form and operation. The .35 Caliber S&W cartridge was the company’s proprietary offering for this, their first semi-automatic pistol. From Wikipedia “The .35 Smith & Wesson (S&W) is a centerfire pistol cartridge developed in 1912 for the newly designed Model 1913 self-loading pocket pistol intended to compete with the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP and Model 1908 .380 ACP pistols. The .35 caliber name implied a cartridge of diameter directly between those two popular calibers. Actual bullet diameters were .312 for the .32 ACP and the .35 S&W,[3] and .355 for the .380 ACP.” This is a rare opportunity to add S&W’s first attempt at an auto pistol and we’re willing to bet that one in this condition will not come around again for quite some time. Please see our pictures and good luck.
