This may have been discussed previously. Sorry but I'm not a daily follower.

I was some what surprised and pleased after watching a recorded segment Oliver North's War Stories last night. The program dealt with the history of animals, dogs especially being used in war.

Fast forward to modern day, the program showed modern US Military dog trainers and handlers. I was surprised seeing a dog trainer using what appeared to be a S&W Model 15 firing blanks.

I'd be curious just how many S&W revolvers the US Military has tucked away for actual use not including any that are sitting in museums?? Friend of mine spent what he claims was the most boring 18 months of his life while in the Army in the mid-70's. He spent 44 hours per week repairing and rebuilding 1911's and keeping a paper trail in the pre-computer era.

My friend claimed some S&W and even a few Colt revolvers came to him for repairs. His responsibility for the revolvers was to just ship them to the US for repair and keep a paper trail.

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Dave

Several members have commented that there are likely many model 15s in storage, if they have not been demilled (i.e., cut with a torch or ground into little pieces). Someone here may have recent contact or experience with them.

From personal experience, I know the US Navy was still using the model 15 in 1995 when I qualified with one as a Reserve officer; I'm guessing the M9 has replaced it by now.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Military Working Dog trainers at Lackland AFB have use old Model 15's for blank firing for years.
Firing blanks from the current issued semiautomatic service pistol would require hand cycling after each shot.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

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John

My friend claimed he got a 1917 revolver in the mid 70's. It was being used for blanks fired during bivouacs. He couldn't recall for certain if it was returned repaired but speculated it was most likely replaced. I might add for Colt fans. My friend claimed he had a supply of parts for the Colt 32 and 380 on hand but couldn't recall ever having one for repair.

My very close friend after spending a year and a half repairing and rebuilding 1911's absolutely despises them. If one was ever given to him he claims he'd immediately put it up for sale. He had a remarkable talent doing 1911 trigger jobs. He did one for me about 78 or 79 on a Series 70 Mark IV, 38 Super. He claimed he was taught the art of doing trigger jobs for his company's shooting team. Claims he also did a few for officers on both service and personally owned 1911's earning him what he called brownie points.

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Dave

Dog handlers were issued revolvers because they needed a sidearm that only required one hand. The other hand being busy controlling the dog. Or so the theory went.

It's likely the M9/M11 is used now, as the mechanism allows on-handed operation easily. The military was never keen on "cocked and locked" with the M1911A1.

Obviously with blanks to train the dog, a revolver is the easiest and they already own the S&W's, so that's easy.

As for how many are in storage, likely not too many left. When the M9 was adopted, about a third of the .38 revolvers the military had on-hand were unserviceable. They had about as many unserviceable .38's in storage as they had issued. Once they got the M9/M11, they divested the revolvers pretty quick.

They probably keep a small number for odd-ball requirements, like training dogs, etc. but no large numbers anymore.

In the canine training school at Lackland AFB, the trainers still use revolvers with blanks. Some USAF color/honor guards carry deactivated Model 15s. I made up a number of them myself when I was at the USAF Gunsmith Shop. It broke my heart. And there are probably thousands of USAF revolvers in storage at Anniston Army Depot, if they have not been destroyed by now.

How did You demil them ?

The demilling process usually means cutting the frame with a gas rig, cutting a section out of the barrel and have seen a few where the cylinder was squashed by a heavy press. If I'm wrong please correct me. Frank