Mystery model 15 help needed

[davepiatt]

I have an old model 15 sitting at the shop I need a little help identifying. I'll post pics in a few days when I pick it up along with a serial number. It looks standard, with the exception that it has a flaming bomb and "us property" stamped on the frame just under the cylinder, on the side the cylinder swings out on. Looks like it's been re-blued since then though. No lanyard attachment hole. Anyone got an idea?

 

[max]

I know the USAF issued them and I suspect other branches did also.

 

[HayesGreener]

Model 15

The 4" Model 15 became the standard Air Force sidearm in 1962. The SAC Elite Guard (Air Police) under Gen Curtis LeMay were the first to receive the M15, and it remained the standard weapon of Air Police/Security Police until replaced by the M9 Beretta in 1990. I know of M15's that had 100,000+ rounds fired through them and kept on going. Gen LeMay was a shooter and gun enthusiast and wanted his cops and all Airmen to be able to hit what they aimed at which is why the Air Force settled on the M15 to replace the GI 45. Several guns were inspired by LeMay and he preferred the accurized .45 for himself and his aircrews although the Air Force never did procure the LeMay .45 that he inspired. From what I know all Air Force Model 15's were marked USAF or Property of United States Air Force. The flaming bomb is the symbol of U.S. Ordnance so I do not believe this is an Air Force weapon, however I saw Model 15's in the hands of Army and Marine aircrews so I know it was used by at least 3 branches. As an aside I also saw a number of 2" M15's in the hands of Air Force crewmen-they carried them as well as several other types of subbies as they fit nicely in the zippered slash chest pocket in the flight suit. I suspect your M15 might have been carried by civilian security personnel at U.S. Ordinance but that's just a guess, it would be interesting to know its history. Still one of the best shooting revolvers I ever held.

 

[davepiatt]

Outstanding info, I had no idea that any forces were carrying them, I remember the air crew guns but I didn't think about anyone else.

 

[davepiatt]

I stand corrected! It was a Model 10 (I looked at both at the same time, I guess I got them confused). Serial number C 395XXX puts it in the range of maybe 1955 if I'm reading the catalog right. It has been modified by a gunsmith by stoning the hammer it looks like so that it will fire double action only- pull the hammer back and it will rotate the cylinder and not lock. Anyway, ideas on the issue of these things? Thought if this hammer issue a military thing or was it done by someone else along the way?

 

[HayesGreener]

Is is marked Mod-10? If it is pre-1957 it's an M&P-I don't believe they began using the model number scheme until 1957 or 1958. My guess is the gun was carried by MP's or civilian guard force in Ordnance. A letter from Mr Jenks would be interesting

 

[Texas Star]

Army aircrew and MP's, especially female ones, used this gun a lot. USAF ones, unless old wartime ones, were normally M-15's.

I was issued both Victory Models and Colt and S&W civilian blue M&P and Official Police .38's until we had enough M-15's. SAC and combat units in Vietnam had priority on the M-15's.

T-Star

 

[davepiatt]

No, it is not marked Model 10. Good point. I guess I never thought about what was used after WWII.