Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: S&W .35, The Model of 1913 8th Type

Serial Number: 8237

Year of Manufacture: 1913-1922

Caliber: .35 S&W

Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Removable Magazine Fed Pistol

Barrel Length: 3 1/2"

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 barrel extension.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth walnut with gold-colored S&W logo medallions and two brass fillers per panel. The panels are free of visible cracks and have beautiful grain. There are compressions, nicks, and scratches throughout. The grips rate in about Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is a minor spot of faint erosion toward the muzzle end. Other than this the bore is clean. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The grip straps and have spots of light surface erosion and dark patina. There is light corrosion concentrated at the muzzle and rear of the barrel extension. There is thinning on the leading edges. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good 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, this is all by design. 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 magazine release is located on the butt of the grip frame and actuates fore to aft. 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: This pistol comes with a single magazine.

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 7813, with an astounding 85% of its finish remaining; for its age and intended roll as a pocket pistol, we think it’s looking great, especially being over 100 years old. These pistols 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, and .355 for the .380 ACP. This is a rare opportunity to add S&W’s first attempt at an auto pistol.