I have found what I believe is an authentic J-frame "aircrewman"

Serial # is AFNO19XX. AIRCREWMAN is stamped on the barrel, and PROPERTY OF US AIRFORCE on the back strap. The grips are diamonds with USAF medallions.

Anyone have any more info and approx. value of this gun?

I have found what I believe is an authentic J-frame "aircrewman"

Serial # is AFNO19XX. AIRCREWMAN is stamped on the barrel, and PROPERTY OF US AIRFORCE on the back strap. The grips are diamonds with USAF medallions.

Anyone have any more info and approx. value of this gun?

Pictures, man - PICTURES!

We love pictures around here - especially if you've found a gun like that!

If you do a forum search on "aircrewman" you will have lots of reading. They have been discussed around here quite a bit.

bob

Be very, very careful. MORE fakes exist than real ones.
IF real, it is worth BIG, BIG bucks. Trouble is, the fakes have proper serial numbers, so the only way to verify one is to put it IN THE HAND of an expert.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I know the history of this gun and the woman who owns it has no idea what it is.

It came from her uncle that was retired Colonel or Brigadier General from USAF and an active pilot during Korea.

I can't find much info on the J-frame, how rare are they and what is big, BIG bucks?

Sounds like the real thing S.d. ,,now stop teasing us and take some pictures any way you can.

Good luck ,,AL

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

455SD,

You can't find much on the J frames because it is thought that less than a dozen are known to exist. That's few enough that there is no such thing as a "market price." The AF numbered K frames are in the $3,500 - $5,000 price range (or higher) and the J frames are "worth" more. I don't claim expertise but have done a fair amount of research on all the Aircrewman variations (including the Colt) and would also like to see pictures and know more about the one to which you are referring.

Regards,
Kevin Williams

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

I always have mixed emotions regarding these situations. If the gun is what we hope it is, it's worth a small fortune. Setting an offer price would be very difficult at best.

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Centennial Every Day

I hope you do the right thing and pay a FAIR price for it.

I won't pay a dime for it if I get it. I'll inherit it.

I really don't care what it is worth, because it has a lot of family history.

However, if I don't get it I wanted to make sure it was sold at full value. I know if it is authentic it is extremely rare, but I had no idea how rare. Really only 10 or 12???

I'll get pictures as soon as I can. May be this weekend.

When you get the pic posted, I can forward them another member of the S&WCA that is one of the authorities on USAF Aircrewman (M12's) and the "baby aircrewman" M13's.

He said in am email to me the that 605 were made, A.F.NO. 1795 to A.F.NO. 2399. and at this juncture there are only 16 known to exist, yours would make it 17.

The fact that it belonged to a family member who was an officer in the USAF, that providence lends more credence that it's legit.

Can't wait to see the pics!

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I'm kinda curious what relationship this lady is to you.

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Caveat venditor.

That is a wonderful story.
Please share as much info as you can or will with kwill- he is truly an authority on US guns, and a true gentleman, so you need have no fear.
I was heavily involved in the authentication of one in 2007 that an old friend of mine encountered. A friend of his bought it in a pawnshop as an airweight Chief's Special!!!
I actually got my friend into the SWCA annual meeting in Richmond, where Roy and Rick Nahas looked at the gun, and blessed it.
I asked my friend to let me know when they determined a price for the gun. He never got back to me, and sold the gun for $4500, which I would have paid!

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Pics are up. Sorry for my poor camera skills.


[IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [img] [/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

I'd give Roy Jinks a Call on that one before deciding it's actual worth..
Looks real to me..
The stamping on the barrel looks authentic..
Gary/Hk

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

That, of course, would not hurt, but Roy seldom comments on value. He stays so busy with letters and S&W promo work, I don't think he follows the market that much.
As I said earlier, NO one can verify the gun without having it "in hand". ALL the fakes have a legit number, so what can one tell Roy on the phone? There are also some REAL guns that were Demilled, and later restored- some very well. So, no one is likely to bless it unconditionally without SEEING it, no matter how good the pics you send are. One would have to "hold" it.

With the story on the provenance, you very likely have a real one.
I can't attempt to say positively from your pics, but it does look good from what I can see.
If so, you have a little treasure financially, and, perhaps from the story, sentimentally.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Wow!

Why???????

I agree with Lee. (And thanks for the compliment, btw.) From what I can see in the pictures it appears to be a legitimate example. If you know that it has gone directly from the USAF officer to his widow then the probability of authenticity goes up. I would like to add the serial number and complete A.F. No to the knowledge base on these revolvers if you would consider sharing them. Also, if you would like a hands-on evaluation of the revolver I can perhaps help with that. There are only 3-4 people that I would truly trust to give you a knowledgeable and honest opinion. You can contact me by email at [email protected] if you like. Thanks for posting the pictures.

Regards,
Kevin Williams

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

+1


Thanks for sharing cool aircrewman 455SD

+1 on that.

The lady seems to be the main character in this story as the owner of the sidearm as well as niece to the officer who was the prior owner.

I'm naturally inquisitive so I wonder what relation you have w/this lady and ask.

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Caveat venditor.

Fair enough.

She and her husband are very close friends of me and my wife. They have no children and consider us like family.

They decided to sell off some their guns and wanted me to help with determining what they were worth. That is when I discovered the Aircrewman. I knew it was rare and wanted to find out as much info as possible.

I do not think they are interested in selling it and she mentioned I would probably end up with it since they had no else to pass it down to.

That just adds to the story. Thanks for sharing.
Treasure your friendship coz friends like that are rare.

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Caveat venditor.

Thank you for elucidating the background - quite interesting!

My father, who flew for SAC back in the day, carried one of these. Sadly, he did not "aquire" the weapon after he finished flying Cold War missions in the 60's. Although he qualified with the pistol as all airmen were required to do, he favored the .45 auto which he carried in WWII flying B-24's.

It appears as thought it might likely be authentic. If authentic, and if you decide to part with it, please consider me as one of the "contenders" to make an offer on it. I'm a collector, not a dealer. Thank you. Sal Raimondi, SWCA #1300.

That isn't a gun....That's history!

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S&WCA # 2045

The OP's user stats show he has not posted since 2008 and has not visited the forum since 2009. Anyone who is interested in discussing this gun further with him may wish to try sending an email through the forum email facility. (That's email, NOT a PM; if he isn't checking in, he probably won't know that PMs are piling up in his message store.)

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David Wilson