Help with pricing an Aircrewmen

[GaryinOKC]

I hate "what is my gun worth" posts. But I need a little help. I have a friend who was in the industry years ago but has been out of touch for awhile. He hooked me up with a small estate and let me buy his no dash 60 and the nicest J frame pre model airweight 38 special I have seen (I will post it soon). But he asked me to help him turn the air crewman. Back when he bought it he talked to Roy who gave him the info on the paper tag. The gun is in excellent condition save for one major flaw. Someone prior to my friend removed the property of US Air Force stamp on the back strap. He had it restamped. The top strap markings are good. What would the experts value it? I am having trouble with the photos on the forum so I am attaching some the old fashioned way.

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[71vette]

I have absolutely no idea, but that’s really cool!

 

[Slufstuff]

I do not claim to be any kind of expert, but USAF firearms are a major focus of my collection (I own 3 of the S&W USAF M13's). Based on what I have paid myself, plus watching every auction that comes up with an Aircrewman, I can give you my opinion on value. That M13 is overall pretty nice, and if the back strap had not been scrubbed, I would say it was a $5,000-$6,000 revolver at auction online, maybe more if a couple guys got into a bidding war. However, the back strap is a major issue. As it is, I think it is a $1,500 to $1,800 item if someone is looking for a representative example. And that is assuming the barrel and cylinder numbers match.

To give perspective, I paid $1,400 for an M13 in similar condition, but the barrel and cylinder were replaced with unnumbered parts. The back strap was pristine, so a trade off condition wise. I felt like I overpaid for that one, though it did letter. I tend to over bid when it comes to USAF weapons and accessories, so YMMV.

 

[GaryinOKC]

Thank you. The back strap is the big unknown. Prices seem all over the board. A nice one sold at RIA for $12650 in May of 2021 and an average one for $7638 in December of 2022. LSB sold one for $4950 that looked nice but I cant find a date. Found another for $8k but sold on "pre 98". A buddy of mine sold a blown up one with top strap and cylinders blown for $800.

That gives me a ball park idea.

I do not claim to be any kind of expert, but USAF firearms are a major focus of my collection (I own 3 of the S&W USAF M13's). Based on what I have paid myself, plus watching every auction that comes up with an Aircrewman, I can give you my opinion on value. That M13 is overall pretty nice, and if the back strap had not been scrubbed, I would say it was a $5,000-$6,000 revolver at auction online, maybe more if a couple guys got into a bidding war. However, the back strap is a major issue. As it is, I think it is a $1,500 to $1,800 item if someone is looking for a representative example. And that is assuming the barrel and cylinder numbers match.

To give perspective, I paid $1,400 for an M13 in similar condition, but the barrel and cylinder were replaced with unnumbered parts. The back strap was pristine, so a trade off condition wise. I felt like I overpaid for that one, though it did letter. I tend to over bid when it comes to USAF weapons and accessories, so YMMV.

 

[JSR III]

IIRC isn't Rick Nahas of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson fame a collector of these and likely the most knowledgeable person about this model? I would reach out to him.

I also seem to recall that there were many attempts to fake this model as most were destroyed.

You may also want to reach out to the S&W Historian, Don Mundell known on this forum as ClubGunFan.

 

[JSR III]

You could look in a copy of the SC of S&W and see if the authors listed contact information. Or you might reach out to Lee and see if Rick is a member here and if so could you get his handle.

 

[GaryinOKC]

m13

I believe this one came from Rick. It is verified legit by SN and is in the database. Just trying to figure out a pricing considering the back strap. I will reach out to Rick.

IIRC isn't Rick Nahas of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson fame a collector of these and likely the most knowledgeable person about this model? I would reach out to him.

I also seem to recall that there were many attempts to fake this model as most were destroyed.

You may also want to reach out to the S&W Historian, Don Mundell known on this forum as ClubGunFan.

 

[GaryinOKC]

M13

Thanks for the input. I got ahold of Rick and he knew the gun. I have it listed on auction now.