ID this S&W US Air Force Service Revolver please?

[Birdgun]

Thank you very much, Jack. You've been most helpful.

My personal S&W revolvers are a 188? vintage 4th Model .32 S&W "Pocket Revolver," Model 34-1 .22LR "Kit Gun," Model 19-3 .357 Mag "Combat Magnum, and a Model 625-9 .45 Colt "Mountain Gun."

Again, appreciate your very helpful information.

God bless,
Birdgun

 

[JP@AK]

That's a nice array of S&W revolvers, Birdgun!

I'm particularly fond of the Kit Guns. Here are a couple of mine:

The nickel 4" is a Model 34-1. The 2" blued item is a non-model-marked Model of 1953.

 

[Texas Star]

At that time, commissioned officers could provide personal sidearms. One of my officers carried a K-38/M-14 with six-inch barrel. OSI and Air Police Investigators had Colt and S&W .38 snubs. The Colts I saw had the hammer shroud.


Some enlisted airmen carried personal guns, if local commanders turned a blind eye. One shot down a ME-109, firing from the MG port on the side of a B-17! His .50 cal. MG had run out of ammo or was jammed. His sidearm was a S&W .38, but the account didn't mention barrel length. Almost certainly an M&P model, though. And I know of a .45 auto used to shoot down a Zero when it attacked a US pilot in a parachute.


But handguns usually weren't used as anti-aircraft guns...They were for personal defense if the plane crash landed or the crew bailed out. Others were used for police work, etc. or to guard payrolls and the like. Couriers had sidearms.


The stocks here are Herrett's Shooting Stars, I think. The gun is probably smooth and very accurate in skilled hands. It's older than S&W recommends for Plus P ammo, though.

 

[OldChief]

Pilgrim, you're right, I didn't even notice it had a 6" barrel (old eyes), and I didn't see anything but 2" or 4". I don't believe it was an issue revolver.

 

[kwill1911]

I've never seen one stamped US GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. They were stamped U.S. or U.S.A.F. Some earlier Victory Models were stamped UNITED STATES PROPERTY or U.S. PROPERTY.

 

[OldChief]

Kwill, I'm 79 and we're talking about 63-69, my memory may be a bit fuzzy!

 

[kwill1911]

Kwill, I'm 79 and we're talking about 63-69, my memory may be a bit fuzzy!

No problem, I just want those coming to these forums for definitive answers to get accurate answers.

 

[DWalt]

I remember reading about a dogfight between a U. S. spotter plane and a German spotter plane with pistols right before V-E day. The American pilot managed to shoot down the German plane (but its pilot survived). I believe it is considered as the last instance of WWII aerial combat in Germany.

 

[ctangus]

I remember reading about a dogfight between a U. S. spotter plane and a German spotter plane with pistols right before V-E day. The American pilot managed to shoot down the German plane (but its pilot survived). I believe it is considered as the last instance of WWII aerial combat in Germany.

Its never over 'till its over.
Dennis

 

[DWalt]

I looked it up - here's the story: Last Dogfight of WWII in Europe Was Between Two Spotter Planes, Firing Pistols at Each Other. The German Aircraft Was Destroyed