My new USAF Model 56 .38 Special

Slufstuff · Nov 21, 2023

I recently obtained one of my grail guns, a Model 56 USAF issue .38 special revolver. I have looked for years for a good example, they are extremely hard to find for sale, rarely showing up even in online auction venues. I have requested a factory letter on this one, but thought I would go ahead and post some pictures.

In case anybody does not know, the Model 56 actually preceded the 2 inch Model 15. It was a USAF only order, delivered in 1962-63 with a heavy barrel, non-grooved back strap, non-grooved adjustable sights, and a US stamp on the back strap. These were used in a number of roles by the air force, including air crew, missile launch officers, OSI agents and probably others. 15,205 were purchased by the USAF, most being destroyed by the government. Surviving Model 56 revolvers is estimated at around 50-60 total in civilian hands.

Ameshawki · Nov 21, 2023

Very nice. Definitely a rare duck.

YouveHadYour6 · Nov 21, 2023

Very nice find - def one of the top S&W 'grails' remaining for me, being a lover of short-barrel .38s.

Slufstuff · Nov 21, 2023

Forgot to mention in the first post, I also have the armory or depot package for this revolver. Here is a picture. I also have a letter to a USAF General Robert Eaglet providing him AF policy on use of issued "personal defense Weapons". From the language in the letter, I infer Gen Eaglet was issued this Model 56, as the letter informed him he could exchange the .38 revolver he had for a then new Beretta M9. Gen Eaglet noted in a handwritten memo in the corner that he was "not interested in 9mm now."

kwill1911 · Nov 21, 2023

Could you post a scan or picture of the letter without the gun on it? Thanks.

two-bit cowboy · Nov 21, 2023

I watched the auction with interest and was happy to see you won it at the hammer.

Congrats. What a treasure.

Slufstuff · Nov 21, 2023

kwill1911 said:
Could you post a scan or picture of the letter without the gun on it? Thanks.

Sure, here you go! Unfortunately I did not get the signature page, but I believe this is the majority of the letter.

K Frame Keith · Nov 21, 2023

This is the kind of content I truly enjoy. Thanks for posting!

Retired W4 · Nov 21, 2023

Smart man, Gen. Eaglet.

The rear sight leaf and barrel rib has that Highway Patrolman look.

Inland7-45 · Nov 21, 2023

Congratulations on a great find. It is a shame that so few of these have survived. I doubt that we will see very many of the 4” model 15s either.
I grew up a few miles from Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield MA.

During my senior year of high school I took a tour of the base that was hosted by the recruiters. The base had recently transitioned from F-84Fs to F-100s. At the same time the small arms section had turned in their M-1 and M-2 Carbines for M-16s. These were early M-16s without the forward assist. The M-16s reserved for use by the Security Police we’re capable of full auto fire. The rest of the M-16s had a sheet metal spacer between the grip and the receiver with tab that stopped the selector from going to full auto. Apparently the M-16s were distributed the same way as the carbines. The only 1911-A1s we’re National Match Guns and there were also some NM Garands and older riot guns.

What really got my attention were the Models 15s. I don’t recall how many they actually had but there were quite a few of them. I had a chance to handle this stuff and got a lot of background on the F-100s and the mission for this unit.

I don’t remember seeing any Model 56s. I was aware that the Air Force issued a 2” Combat Masterpiece but until recently I had thought they were actually Model 15s.

While it is interesting to have the information that a factory letter would provide it would be even more interesting to know how the few guns out there escaped destruction.

The great thing about this forum seeing someone share info and photos of such an interesting S&W.

LoboGunLeather · Nov 21, 2023

Retired W4 said:
Smart man, Gen. Eaglet.

The rear sight leaf and barrel rib has that Highway Patrolman look.

My thoughts exactly! A "Highway Patrolman" approach to the Model 15, comparable to the Model 28 vs. Model 27.

Great find! Significant piece of history in modern US military arms.

22hipower · Nov 21, 2023

Inland7-45 said:
Congratulations on a great find. It is a shame that so few of these have survived.

True, but if there were 15,000 of them floating around there wouldn't be nearly as much interest.

Jeff
SWCA 1457

kwill1911 · Nov 21, 2023

I've recorded 82 Model 56 revolvers to date, and 140 4-inch Model 15 revolvers.

Slufstuff · Nov 21, 2023

kwill1911 said:
I've recorded 82 Model 56 revolvers to date, and 140 4-inch Model 15 revolvers.

Kevin, Is that 82 complete revolvers in civilian hands? I have seen the 50 to 60 survivor number used quite a bit, it it more like 80+?

CH4 · Nov 21, 2023

Congrats on a rare find. I fondled one about 10 years ago at the Big Reno Show. I believe it was offered to me for $3500, with letter. Already having a couple nice 2” 15s, I reluctantly passed. Still wondering if I shoulda jumped.

Slufstuff · Nov 21, 2023

While the evidence is circumstantial, it is possible this revolver was issued at one time to General Robert D. Eaglet as a personal defense weapon. I did a little research on him, quite an interesting career. He was a combat pilot, flying over 500 missions as a forward air controller in Vietnam. He had a number of important assignments post-war, including a stint at the air force armaments division during the time frame of the letter I posted. He retired a Major General in 1991. Here is a picture of him as a Brigadier General.

jpage · Nov 21, 2023

Did the USAF issue custom leather ? Or was the 56 holstered in 4" holsters ?

dobegrant · Nov 21, 2023

Thanks for sharing, that is a really unique piece of history.

kwill1911 · Nov 21, 2023

In 2011 I wrote an article for the S&WCA Journal entitled "Military Masterpieces." At that time I had documented 27 KTX56s, ~50 Model 15s with 4-inch barrels and 17 K38/Model 14s with 6-inch barrels. I've continued to record serial numbers as I've seen them online or in person so, yes, there are at least 82 KTX56s in collectors' hands. S&WCA members can access the data here: Smith & Wesson Collectors Association – The Collectors Resource for Historic Smith & Wesson Firearms

Slufstuff · Nov 21, 2023

kwill1911 said:
In 2011 I wrote an article for the S&WCA Journal entitled "Military Masterpieces." At that time I had documented 27 KTX56s, ~50 Model 15s with 4-inch barrels and 17 K38/Model 14s with 6-inch barrels. I've continued to record serial numbers as I've seen them online or in person so, yes, there are at least 82 KTX56s in collectors' hands. S&WCA members can access the data here: Smith & Wesson Collectors Association – The Collectors Resource for Historic Smith & Wesson Firearms

Thanks Kevin. I guess 80+ is the new survivor figure to use. Still not a lot out of 15,000+ purchased by the USAF.

My new USAF Model 56 .38 Special

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