S&W Model 12
Encyclopedia
The Smith & Wesson
(S&W) Model 12 is .38 Special
revolver
on Smith & Wesson's K-frame (medium size) platform. It is an aluminium
alloy-frame version of the Model 10 (also known as the M&P). It was made from 1953 to 1986 in both two- and four-inch (102 mm) barrel configurations. It weighs 19 oz (524 g) unloaded. Early models used an aluminum cylinder as well as frame.
A civilian model of the M13 was released in 1953, called the Military & Police Airweight. This designation was changed in 1957 to the Model 12 Airweight. The Military & Police Airweight initially used both an aluminum cylinder and frame, and weighed only 14.5 ounces. The aluminum cylinder proved insufficiently strong to withstand continued firing with standard .38 Special cartridges, and in 1954, S&W changed over all new production Airweight revolver cylinders to steel, increasing the weight to 18 ounces.
The Model 12 variants 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 used a narrower hammer and had an aluminum grip frame that was 0.08 inches (2 mm) narrower than the standard steel K-frame. The final version, the Model 12-4, used the standard frame dimension of the other K-frames. It also featured a rounded butt
.
s have elongated firing pin
marks. Very early versions have aluminum cylinders and should not be fired.
The two-inch barrel Model 12 is also called a snub-nose. Detectives and others with licenses to carry find the snub-nosed revolver, such as the vintage Model 12, concealable, lighter in weight than its longer-barreled twins, and in an emergency, easy to deploy with its trim wood grips and round butt. It is also a proven performer as a back-up pistol for some officers, who carry a larger caliber pistol at their waist.
The Model 12 is most often found to have some wear on its bluing due to age, but this wear does not detract from either its function or its value as a vintage concealed-carry piece. An important earmark is the factory stamp Mod-12 on the frame inside the yoke. Also on the inside of the yoke is the revolver's serial number, which is repeated verbatim on the base of the butt. The Model 12 holds its market value nicely and is highly collectible. As with most older revolvers, a reputable gunsmith should check its functioning prior to purchase.
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson is the largest manufacturer of handguns in the United States. The corporate headquarters is in Springfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson's pistols and revolvers have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world...
(S&W) Model 12 is .38 Special
.38 Special
The .38 Smith & Wesson Special is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & Wesson. It is most commonly used in revolvers, although some semi-automatic pistols and carbines also use this round...
revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
on Smith & Wesson's K-frame (medium size) platform. It is an aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
alloy-frame version of the Model 10 (also known as the M&P). It was made from 1953 to 1986 in both two- and four-inch (102 mm) barrel configurations. It weighs 19 oz (524 g) unloaded. Early models used an aluminum cylinder as well as frame.
Production Variants
In 1953, the United States Air Force (USAF) ordered a variant of the S&W Military & Police Airweight with a two-inch barrel and aluminum cylinder to be issued to US Air Force flight crew members, called the Revolver, Lightweight, Caliber .38 Special, M13. Some 40,000 Smith & Wesson M13 revolvers were produced. After persistent reports on cylinder and frame failure with the M13 and its counterpart, the Colt Aircrewman, the Air Force attempted to remedy the issue by issuing a dedicated low-pressure .38 cartridge for the weapons - the Caliber .38, Ball, M41 round. However, after continued negative reports, Air Force officials decided that the revolvers were not suitable for issue, and the model was withdrawn from service, all but a few examples being crushed or destroyed.A civilian model of the M13 was released in 1953, called the Military & Police Airweight. This designation was changed in 1957 to the Model 12 Airweight. The Military & Police Airweight initially used both an aluminum cylinder and frame, and weighed only 14.5 ounces. The aluminum cylinder proved insufficiently strong to withstand continued firing with standard .38 Special cartridges, and in 1954, S&W changed over all new production Airweight revolver cylinders to steel, increasing the weight to 18 ounces.
The Model 12 variants 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 used a narrower hammer and had an aluminum grip frame that was 0.08 inches (2 mm) narrower than the standard steel K-frame. The final version, the Model 12-4, used the standard frame dimension of the other K-frames. It also featured a rounded butt
Stock (firearm)
A stock, also known as a buttstock or shoulder stock, is a part of a rifle or other firearm, to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, that is held against one's shoulder when firing the gun. Stocks are also found on crossbows though a crossbow stock is more properly referred to as a...
.
Product development and usage
Since the Model 12 uses an alloy frame, it is not advisable to use +P ammunition since the frame may stretch during shooting. This is apparent when the primerPercussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.Before this development, firearms used flintlock ignition systems which produced flint-on-steel sparks to ignite a pan of priming powder and thereby fire the...
s have elongated firing pin
Firing pin
A firing pin or striker is part of the firing mechanism used in a firearm or explosive device e.g. an M14 landmine or bomb fuze. Firing pins may take many forms, though the types used in landmines, bombs, grenade fuzes or other single-use devices generally have a sharpened point...
marks. Very early versions have aluminum cylinders and should not be fired.
The two-inch barrel Model 12 is also called a snub-nose. Detectives and others with licenses to carry find the snub-nosed revolver, such as the vintage Model 12, concealable, lighter in weight than its longer-barreled twins, and in an emergency, easy to deploy with its trim wood grips and round butt. It is also a proven performer as a back-up pistol for some officers, who carry a larger caliber pistol at their waist.
The Model 12 is most often found to have some wear on its bluing due to age, but this wear does not detract from either its function or its value as a vintage concealed-carry piece. An important earmark is the factory stamp Mod-12 on the frame inside the yoke. Also on the inside of the yoke is the revolver's serial number, which is repeated verbatim on the base of the butt. The Model 12 holds its market value nicely and is highly collectible. As with most older revolvers, a reputable gunsmith should check its functioning prior to purchase.