SAC Elite revolver

9billionnames · Dec 28, 2020

I was trying to find out some basic details about the Air Force's SAC Elite Guard revolvers like the model, configuration and date of first issue but my research always shows conflicting information. I've heard everything from Victory Model's, Model 10's and Model 15's.
Lots of photos shows revolvers with a lanyard loop:

While others don't:

Then there's this picture from saceliteguard.com that shows what looks like a model 10 but with the side plate on the left hand side:

My best guess is that the issued revolver changed over the years but kept the chrome plating and grips. Does that sound right?

CheyenneBodie · Dec 28, 2020

Don't know about 50's 60's --In the 1970's it was a M15 Combat Masterpiece with Stag Grips and cross draw holster like in the picture.

CheyenneBodie · Dec 28, 2020

SAC Elite Guard was a choice assignment --and getting selected for it was quite a process based on merit, duty performance and personal appearance standards. Easy to get fired too--don't F' up-- the SAC motto-- "Peace Is Our Profession --- BUT to err is human to forgive is not SAC policy"

Wiregrassguy · Dec 28, 2020

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I have no direct knowledge to share with you. We know that the Air Force used several different models of S&W revolvers. There are threads here on them and the Standard Catalog covers several alloy guns that were ordered specifically for the USAF. However, the revolver in your picture appears to be a 4" K frame. My guess is it is a Combat Masterpiece (pre-model 15) used to add a little bling to go along with the beret, special belt buckle and aiguillette for pomp in security.

Lee Barner · Dec 28, 2020

they were chrome plated Victory Models with genuine imitation stag grips worn in a crossdraw holster. used to pass several of them getting into bldg 500 and then down 94 feet to the Command Center several times a week for years. I got a sneak peek into their armory one time. racks and racks of Winchester 12s and 97 trench guns and many many case of brass 12 ga 00 buck. Lee

Absalom · Dec 28, 2020

The top picture seems to show a revolver with the pre-1948 long action hammer, and some sort of appendage on the butt (although not a complete standard swivel) so a plated Victory is a good candidate.

On both, the stag grips are quite ill-fitted.

reccpd101 · Dec 28, 2020

Here's another photo of SAC APs. Notice these are all carrying blue steel Model 15s. The big difference in those and the regular AF SP issue being the stag grips. I believe the issue sidearm did change over time. I was at Wright Patterson 2750th Security Police HQ frequently when the flight (watch) changed. I was a Deputy US Marshal out of the Dayton field office in the late 70s.. The oncoming shift were issued their revolvers and ammo at random. I did not see a single nickeled gun there are at any of the other bases I visited including SAC bases.

Shrike6 · Dec 28, 2020

When I was stationed at Bitburg AB, Germany from ‘82-‘85, I was given a Combat Masterpiece to qualify with. I wasn’t an SP, but we still had to qualify. I had not fired a revolver before, and was given almost no training.
I still managed to qualify, though. Can’t say I enjoyed shooting it. I was used to a model 39.

9billionnames · Dec 28, 2020

Thanks for the replies. Would the Victory Models be marked US Navy?

Wiregrassguy · Dec 28, 2020

Some were. Far more were not.

Absalom · Dec 28, 2020

9billionnames said:
Thanks for the replies. Would the Victory Models be marked US Navy?

The topstrap could be US NAVY or US PROPERTY GHD. Could also be blank either originally (possibly but less likely) or as a result of being chrome-plated/nickeled or whatever the refinish was. The topstrap stamping was rather shallow and often does not survive buffing and heavy plating.

THE PILGRIM · Dec 28, 2020

I have visited SAC HQ a number of times over the years.
Went there when I was in SAC and went there when not in SAC.
The first thing I recall standing out about those guys was they were wearing cross draw holsters.
Something I don’t think anybody’s mentioned is Curtis LeMay was a Gun guy.
Never stationed there. Once I was notified I was going there, but managed to get another assignment. I would have been in the Target Vault which I understand is below the Command Post.

Sandman4delta · Dec 28, 2020

In your first picture which shows the possible lanyard link,
it appears that the badge shows some colored areas.
(Not sure because I couldn't make it any larger.)
If the badge has color, they only used that for a very short time starting late fifties.
After which all Air Police and later Security Police badges were metal finish only.
Air Police became Security Police around 1967.

This might help you with the timeframe since the M-15's would have come much later.
As a fellow SAC Troop I agree with the poster who had been to Command Center, I never saw anything other than a blued revolver in my time USAF.

Muley Gil · Dec 28, 2020

In the first picture, it appears the loop has been removed from the swivel. I guess that was easier than removing the entire assembly and plugging the hole.

9billionnames · Dec 31, 2020

Not entirely related but does anyone know if the M1917 revolvers end up in Air Force service? I have U.S. Handguns of WW2 by Charles Pate on order do shed some light on the early pistols but I was curious about the revolvers post war service too.

Wiregrassguy · Dec 31, 2020

To my knowledge, there was no use by the U.S. military of the Model 1917 revolver after WWI. I believe the only reason we had 1917 revolvers in WWI was the inability of Colt to produce the Model 1911, which was the official sidearm, in sufficient quantity to meet demand. That issue was addressed in WWII by using multiple manufacturers to make the 1911.

kwill1911 · Dec 31, 2020

Many thousands of M1917 revolvers were used in WWII. The federal agencies and military police used them extensively. Pate reports that while the Army tried to restrict their use to stateside military organizations there were over 20,000 that made their way into combat zones. They were still being rebuilt for use in 1945.

I've never seen any documentation that they were used in the post-war USAF.

THE PILGRIM · Dec 31, 2020

As I have posted, My FIL AF Doctor was issued not one but two 1917 Revolvers during his orientation prior to going to West Africa.
On the Pan Am Flying Boat going across from Natal, Brazil to the Gold Coast he gave one to Officer who complained nobody would issue him a Handgun.

Absalom · Dec 31, 2020

kwill1911 said:
...... They were still being rebuilt for use in 1945.

Even later than that. In a different thread I recently posted this from Pate, about an Ordnance contract with the factory to rebuild 28,000 of them in 1949.

Wiregrassguy · Dec 31, 2020

That's why I keep coming here...to learn something new every day.

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