S&W model M13 38 Spl. Just walked in!!

Northfield Gun · Apr 14, 2016

Hello guys, This past Wednesday my father in law "who works for me in the shop" comes up to me with two revolvers and tells me a guy just dropped these off, He didn't want any money he just wanted to get them out of the house, the first one was a 5 pound Arminius Tiger, No big deal, the other one was a K frame S&W, I'm thinking "Nice" but again, No big deal, so I take the guns from him to log them in but the Smith feels Odd??? super light so I open the cylinder to see what model it is, I carry an old airweight but this is a K frame??? and no model number inside, So I look on the top strap and it says "REVOLVER LIGHT WEIGHT M 13" The markings on the back strap are ground off, It has the original diamond grips still on it and it's a SIX Screw, this is the first six screw I have ever seen, I didn't even know there was such a thing, anyway after a little research I learned why they were made but I'll let the experts explain it as I'm sure they know far more then I do about these.

James Davis
Northfield Gun

loeman · Apr 14, 2016

Very interesting! I too look forward to comments regarding this gun. Thanks for posting.

Archie · Apr 14, 2016

Looks a lot like an aluminum frame 'Aircrewman'. Made for the Air Force to save weight on aircraft.

The very first examples had an experimental aluminum cylinder and barrel. They didn't last long. If the cylinder and barrel are steel, it is a later example. Most of them were in four inch configuration, not two inch.

This revolver spawned the Armed Forces to develop the M41 round. It was a .38 Special case, a 130 grain FMJ bullet (much like the Super .38 projectile) and the stupendous muzzle velocity of roughly 700 fps or so. (I knew one gentleman who stuck one bullet in the barrel of a long barreled .357 Magnum revolver. He said it would have cleared a four inch barrel.)

The type of revolver was later offered commercially. In the four inch offering, it was known as the Model 12.

That one is an odd one.

Peak53 · Apr 14, 2016

You will want to use a magnet to check for steel cylinder/barrel. If it is all aluminum, I think the advice will be not to shoot. Others will have more info for you.

bananaman · Apr 15, 2016

Very interesting! A new 1 on me. Is the back of the frame due to carry wear, or was it purposely done? Hang on to that one. Bob

Pizza Bob · Apr 15, 2016

Here is what the SCSW has to say (short version): There was an early production run (605 units) that used serial numbers A.F.NO1190 - A.F.NO1794, these had "Aircrewman" on the barrel, but not the top strap. So it appears that you have a later one which would have fallen in the serial number range C247000 - C405363 (there are commercial offerings of various K-frame models within that serial range). What was ground off the backstrap was the the "Property U.S. Airforce" roll mark.

It has been said that there are probably more counterfeit Aircrewman revolvers out there than there ever were real ones. There are things about yours that raise questions. You state a six-screw frame - which AFAIK does not exist, so lets assume you mean 5-screw, as evidenced by your one photo showing a top sideplate screw. After the initial run of 605, the Army requested in March of 1953 that the top sideplate screw be deleted and also the cylinder lock bushing on the recoil plate. There was a large commercial shipment of M&P Airweights made during the same period which were shipped to dealers all over the country. These commercial M&P's still used the top sideplate screw and the bolster bushing in the recoil shield. These had "Airweight" rollmarked on the barrel. It is probably from these that most of the counterfeits were made.

I am certainly no expert on S&W in general, and Aircrewman specifically, but there are enough anomalies with this gun that I would find an expert and have it authenticated before taking any further action.

Interesting find.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

kwill1911 · Apr 15, 2016

If this is an early production gun it may very well have the 6th (bug) screw. The backstrap has been filed to remove the Property of USAF marking.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...rcrewman-revolvers.html?highlight=cheat+sheet

mojave30cal · Apr 15, 2016

I think a factory letter is in order here.

Northfield Gun · Apr 15, 2016

6th screw

Here is a picture of the 6th screw. It's a little guy. Also, The cylinder is aluminum and the barrel is steel.

James Davis
Northfield Gun

jsfricks · Apr 15, 2016

Yep, I'd get this one lettered. If it letters as an Aircrewman than the guy drop off a treasure to you.

Northfield Gun · Apr 15, 2016

Normally when people fake things it's to make money, Not to give them away, I have a feeling it's right.

James Davis
Northfield Gun

S&W model M13 38 Spl. Just walked in!!

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