I've been lurking around here for a while and finally joined today.
I recently purchased a model 15-7 that is stamped WAS.16 on the left side and WS000530 on right side. I understand that 15's were issued for Air Force police but can't find any info on this. It could be a law enforcement station but again can't find anything.
If any of you have any info I would sure appreciate hearing from you. I would love to know more about its history. Thanks everyone!

WAS.16 and WS000530 does not ring a bell with me.

Pictures might help us give you a better idea what those numbers might be.

The 15-7 was made about 1994 to 1997. Serial numbers should start with a B or a C during that time period.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Thanks for replying. There are no USAF markings so I'm assuming it's former law enforcement,or corrections. Hopefully someone will have an answer. If I never find out it's ok,I'll still enjoy it. Thanks,Tad

Washington state? Wackenhut security? Countless government and non gov agencies used 15's need much more I for and photos

I'm not up on the dates for the 15-7, but 1994 to 1997 is at least a decade too late for Air Force or any military provenance. I believe the USAF Model 15's were from the 1960-70s, and some, if not all, were U.S.A.F. stamped on the left side below the cylinder. So that's not a promising trail.

Are the markings professional-looking or bubba jobs with an electric pencil? I'm surprised any new revolvers would have entered any agency service that late into the auto pistol age.

Wackenhut Armed Security would be my guess.

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Retired Dep Sheriff & Armorer

Possibly. But when I worked for Wackenhut, the only thing they were issuing was the Model 10. On some assignments we were allowed to carry personal pieces, and in those instances I usually carried a Colt's 1911A1. This was back in the early 1970s, when I came back to the World after my two years in SE Asia.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Sorry guys,I've not checked in for a couple of days. The stamps are not electro pencil- they look to be punch type stamps done one at a time. I agree its probably a sherriffs or security officer agency somewhere. West Alabama sherriffs or something like that. I have a model 64 that was Southern California corrections but it has a very clean laser type engraving of SCC. This one is not nearly as clean or professional looking as that. Oh well, I can live with not knowing- just thought I would throw it out there!
Thanks for all your replies,thanks,Tad

I worked for Wackenhut for a few months back about 1976.

The post where I was stationed had one blue M-10 and the rest nickel. All had five-inch barrels. Ammo was a mix of old stuff they must have bought cheaply. I brought my own lead Plus P SWC-HP ammo. Didn't tell the boss. I did not care for the company and soon changed jobs. I don't know what they issued later, but I always tried to get that sole blued M-10. I like the five-inch model, but don't like nickeled guns.

The USAF did issue M-15's, from at least about 1960 until all were replaced by the Beretta M-9, probably by 1995. I think dog trainers had the last in use.

I was an AF cop, but it was the std. USAF revolver for everyone supplied a handgun, not exclusive to police use.

All I know about that WAS-16 marking means that it WAS-17 the next year , heh!