Well, before we close the case I must say that I don't believe a nickel plated Model 19 could have been
issued. It would have been a private purchase. AFAIK the USAF has never bought Model 19 revolvers and certainly not nickel plated ones. I intend no insult to your dad but memories are tricky things. The Air Force issued Model 15s with 4" barrels and Model 56s with 2" barrels. I don't believe there were any .357 Magnum revolvers or ammunition in the supply chain.
