Description

Smith & Wesson Model 1913 – .32 Caliber Tool Room Experimental Pistols (Pair)

A rare and historically significant offering for advanced collectors of early American semi-automatic pistols — this pair of experimental Smith & Wesson Model 1913 pistols represents a behind-the-scenes look into the development of one of S&W’s earliest auto-loading handguns. Chambered in .32 caliber, the Model 1913 had a limited production run of only 957 pistols, making these tool room prototypes incredibly rare.

Pistol 1:

• Unfinished frame featuring smooth walnut grips with center-mounted Smith & Wesson medallions.
• Grips are retained by two grip screws, both recessed into the frame — an experimental configuration being tested at the time.
• A hand-stamped #1 appears on the top of the unfinished slide, suggesting this may have been the first of its type in this grip configuration study.
• An unfinished bolt has been added; however, many internal and external components are missing, as it was strictly used for design and development purposes.

Pistol 2:

• Unfinished frame marked “S&W”, this variant features experimental sliding grip backing plates with two grip screw holes.
• Like its counterpart, it is missing most internal and external components, having been used exclusively to test grip panel application and fitment.
• Accompanying this pistol is an original hang tang dated 1922, documenting the approval of the two-screw configuration by H. Wesson — a significant historical note in S&W design evolution.

Ultimately, the final Model 1913 design incorporated a sliding, metal-backed grip panel with a single screw and a higher-mounted S&W logo, as seen in production models. These experimental pieces offer a rare glimpse into the trial-and-error engineering process at Smith & Wesson during the early 20th century.

Offered as a Pair Only

14589