Aircrewman Revolvers

[Model19man]

What was the USAF's replacement for the M13 Aircrewman? Was it the Model 12 M&P Airweight?
When I was in the USAF as a Flight Nurse, we were issued a small revolver to be worn inside our flight suit in a shoulder holster something like the M7 Tanker, but smaller. This was only for medivac missions into a potential danger area (Panama during Just Cause, or Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm) I was not an afficianado of S&W's back then, all I remember was it was a 6-shot, square butt with magna sized stocks, 2" barrel and was .38 Special. Seems like it had adjustable rear sight, but not 100% sure. What would that have been?

Sounds like a Model 15 perhaps?

 

[kwill1911]

The Model 15 became the USAF standard sidearm in the early 1960s. I have lots of invoices for them but none with a 2" barrel. All the purchases I'm aware of were 4" barrels.

 

[EEResQ]

In addition the serial # is from the .32 Hand Ejector serial range!

I agree!

The medallions have numerous marks on them front and back indicating they were removed and reinstalled.

In addition the serial # is from the .32 Hand Ejector serial range!

Well, we win some... and we loose some.
While these stocks are not off an authentic Aircrewman, I was searching for a pair of mini Magnas to go on that .32 Hand Ejector, Improved I frame - 2nd variation, with serial number 611xxx.

Thanks to all for the clarification!

 

[Rkharris]

I recently obtained this Colt Aircrewman and I am having a hard time finding out some information about it. It does not have the Property of US Air Force nor does it have a serial number on the butt. Here are some photos if anyone can help.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

All the AF Model 15s I have seen including the ones I carried were 4 inch.
Back in those Good Old SAC Days - 2 inch Model 10s and some Colts.
By the time I came along the Revolvers were locked in the mission box in the plane.
Early on, Aircrews on Alert carried their guns. Here's a B-47 Dude carrying his.
Posed Pic? Well yeah! You didn't park the car in front of the Plane!

 

[kwill1911]

RKHarris - The butt and back strap have had the markings ground off and then the gun was nickel plated. The number inside the crane is the serial number. The number that was ground off the butt was A.F. No. XX--the Air Force issue number.

 

[Retired W4]

...Early on, Aircrews on Alert carried their guns. Here's a B-47 Dude carrying his.
Posed Pic? Well yeah! You didn't park the car in front of the Plane!

The crew had to get out to the flight line and that old Ford station wagon was the ride. That's one of the differences between the AF and the Army. They rode and we walked. Always liked landing at an AF base. As soon as you parked a van or sedan was right there to run you to flight ops, and take you back to your AC when you were ready to depart.

 

[Rkharris]

Value

What would you think the value would be given that it has been altered?

 

[MajorD]

What was the USAF's replacement for the M13 Aircrewman? Was it the Model 12 M&P Airweight?
When I was in the USAF as a Flight Nurse, we were issued a small revolver to be worn inside our flight suit in a shoulder holster something like the M7 Tanker, but smaller. This was only for medivac missions into a potential danger area (Panama during Just Cause, or Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm) I was not an afficianado of S&W's back then, all I remember was it was a 6-shot, square butt with magna sized stocks, 2" barrel and was .38 Special. Seems like it had adjustable rear sight, but not 100% sure. What would that have been?

The model 56. The Air Force had adopted the model 15 with 4" barrel for general sidearm use security police and such. They asked S&W to make something similar in a 2" barrel for air crews OSI agents and other purposes. After the 56 was adopted later S&W started cataloging a 2" model 15. The 56's differed from a regular 2" 15 by having an ungrooved adjustable sight base, looking a lot like the base you see on a highway patrolman/ model 28.
Check out some old photos of the armed officers than manned the missle silos- they also carried 56's frequently

 

[kwill1911]

Well, I hope this doesn't sound too harsh but it's value as a collectible has been reduced to zero and, given the aluminum cylinder and frame, it isn't a good shooter so....