SGT ROCK 11B
Member
As a General I would have followed Patton's lead, but my Single Action Army would be chambered for 45 ACP.
My new USAF Model 56 .38 Special
- Thread starter Slufstuff
- Start date
As a General I would have followed Patton's lead, but my Single Action Army would be chambered for 45 ACP.
OP
I believe it is original finish. There is a spot above the cylinder release that is duller than the rest of the finish, but the color is consistent. Markings are sharp.
Model19man
Member
Thank you for sharing. It is a magnificent revolver.
Compass Will
Member
for those of you that were in military, why would they make this note on the letter?
e. Government-issued PDWs cannot be stored/secured in safes that contain money or classified material and must always be under positive control.
e. Government-issued PDWs cannot be stored/secured in safes that contain money or classified material and must always be under positive control.
There are a lot of dumb/worthless regulations throughout DoD.
Congratulations on a great purchase and on owning a very rare S&W revolver! The 2" snubbies are outstanding revolvers and a blast to shoot. It's interesting because we inherited this Model 15-2 from my wife's grandfather (Calif. Chief of Detectives in the 1950's-1970s). The s/n (K509199, ca. 1962) puts it within the range of the Model 56 serial numbers, yet it's stamped "Model 15-2". Ours has a 2" bbl. which was not commercially available until 1964...so this is a bit of a mystery. Perhaps a Model 56 production overrun that became a 15-2? I've posted this before but our Forum gurus were unable to explain the mystery. Anyway, you've got a great Model 56 with some provenance...enjoy!
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kwill1911
Member
Because others would presumably have/need access and the gun would no longer be under "positive control."
max503
Member
I really like the sights/top strap on that revolver.
And there's no tool marks on the adjustment screw.
And there's no tool marks on the adjustment screw.
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OP
I would hurt myself pulling out my wallet to buy that one for only $3,500, but I agree. If it has been on the market that long, the seller might be ready to negotiate.At $11k, I am sure they have a little wiggle room.
Next month when I am in the area, I'll stop by to take a look. I'll bring 35 crisp $100 bills.
H P Bushrod
Absent Comrade
Thanks for sharing the pics of M-56. I actually carried one of those on the range when I was a small arms instructor in the Air Force decades ago. We had a bunch of them that we qualified the aircrews with. I never thought those old guns would be that valuable. Hate to hear that most of them were destroyed. They were great shooters!
OP
For anybody interested, I received the S&W letter on the model 56. It was shipped on May 9, 1963 and was delivered to United States Air Force, Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins GA. The order was for 861 Model 56's, letter confirms "U.S." stamp on back strap.
Several posts have been removed with links to auctions or ads - which is specifically prohibited by the rules!
yugolovr
Member
That is a really cool revolver. Thanks for the education about it.
Robins AFB was the repository for such things back then. You own a great piece of military side arm history that survived the stupidity exhibited by the U.S.A.F. DCM could have distributed those revolvers instead of DoD destroying them. Congratulations.
In.and 7-45 I can think of 3 possible ways some USAF revolvers leaked into the civilian market:
1) the most likely in this case- traditionally even today, when an officer makes general, they are authorized to purchase and then own an issue pistol- over the years there have been the colt 32&380 autos, a standard M1911A1 or the short lived general officers M15 ( a shortened 1911A1 not the revolver) and in the Air Force during its era the issue revolvers. In modern times a M9 ( with a special G.O. Serial number prefix) and now the M17/18.
2) the feds had a loan program for police agencies where police departments can borrow basically free surplus military equipment - technically the program requires the police agency return the items once they are done with them, but it is easy to imagine a PD having several hundred revolvers , some of which were fed loaners, and when they get new guns the old ones sold off or traded in with the old loan stipulations long forgotten.
3) it is my understanding some of these could have been in possession of base rod and gun clubs and at some point, available for purchase by service members
Of course some could be the result of loss during training or combat and not immediately recovered and then found at a later date by someone outside the service
1) the most likely in this case- traditionally even today, when an officer makes general, they are authorized to purchase and then own an issue pistol- over the years there have been the colt 32&380 autos, a standard M1911A1 or the short lived general officers M15 ( a shortened 1911A1 not the revolver) and in the Air Force during its era the issue revolvers. In modern times a M9 ( with a special G.O. Serial number prefix) and now the M17/18.
2) the feds had a loan program for police agencies where police departments can borrow basically free surplus military equipment - technically the program requires the police agency return the items once they are done with them, but it is easy to imagine a PD having several hundred revolvers , some of which were fed loaners, and when they get new guns the old ones sold off or traded in with the old loan stipulations long forgotten.
3) it is my understanding some of these could have been in possession of base rod and gun clubs and at some point, available for purchase by service members
Of course some could be the result of loss during training or combat and not immediately recovered and then found at a later date by someone outside the service
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