S&W newbie with M15 USAF question

[vistafjord]

Hi folks,
First off, I am a complete newbie to this forum and S&Ws generally. To give me some street cred, I just joined SWCA. My question: I'd like to learn more about USAF-issued S&Ws, especially the M15s with the USAF stamp on the frame. I would appreciate any pointers to good references, posts or dealers that specialize in these USAF wheel guns so that I can learn more. Once I get up to speed, I'd like to start collecting them . Thanks in advance! David

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome and good luck in your pursuit.

What I can tell you about the USAF Combat Masterpieces is that we used them in 'Nam and they were standard issue for many years. I carried one for two years during my service in SE Asia. Those we had were equipped with 4" barrels and had Magna stocks with target triggers and hammers. I believe there were also some 2" examples issued to air crew members, but the vast majority that were carried by the AP/SP, ammo troops and dog handlers had the 4" barrel.

Both Model 15-2 and Model 15-3 examples were found. This reflects the fact that the Model 15 became the standard sidearm before 1967, when the -3 was introduced.

I have been casually collecting S&W revolvers for the 50 years I've been back in the World, and had a couple before I went overseas. I have been a serious collector for about half of that time (25-30 years). During all those years, I've not had the opportunity to acquire a single example of a USAF marked revolver. They are out there, but I don't run across them.

So again, good luck in your quest.

 

[Babysitr]

Welcome to the forum from Illinois...I have a couple of 15's...love them, might want to start with 15's.....while looking for a USAF specific!

 

[richcory]

There are some really smart folks on here that have info to share on this subject. Welcome

Here's mine. Which now that I look at the photo is dark & not very good.

Cory

 

[Absalom]

I kicked loose some good contributions with this old thread from a few years ago:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...force-38-revolvers.html?424683=#post138467687

 

[deno56]

I picked this one up at a pawn shop 2 years ago.
Sorry I can't seem to get the pictures up right

 

[Engine49guy]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

While Im no expert in this variation I am a pretty big Model 15 fan.
Sadly I have never seen a USAF gun in person and in the last 11 years I only recall a few popping up on the forum.

Here are a few hints from my vague and fading memory,
The Air Force issued a few other S&W revolvers like the M-13 Aircrewman (The AF version of the Model 12) and its smaller J frame brother the "Baby" Air crewman (The AF version of the Model 37), there was also a 2" snub K target .38 revolver called the Model 56 (The AF cousin of the snub Model 15).
What is interesting is that they all have certain distinct features that make them slightly different than their civilian counterparts ,

While my memory could definitely be wrong IIRC the USAF 4" Model 15's were all standard production guns that's only unique feature was their left side USAF frame stamp,
(BTW as a result there are known fakes out there so be warned to make sure its legit before paying a huge premium on one you find).

The other thing that is sticking in my brain was a story I heard years ago somewhere that many of the retired USAF Model 15's were dumped in the ocean rather than sending them off to the CMP or foreign countries which might help explain why they don't pop up much.

Best of luck in your quest

 

[Chop]

Welcome to the forum. I have a 15-1 with just US marking on it. Figured it was Army but lettered to the USAF. Bought it in Atlanta about 25 years ago.

 

[triaxle]

I have a 15-2 target hammer , target trigger real close to this lettered gun serial number and time . I do not see USAF did they have them that are not marked ????????? Some AF guys I know say they had them without the stamp ?????

 

[Breakaway500]

This is a photo of the 15-2 my Dad carried in Vietnam.Although all the EX-PURTS say the target grips are not original, Dad says this is how he got it new, out of the crate at the armory before leaving to go overseas.(we were stationed in Georgia and the revolver letters as being sent there)


Being an officer he was "allowed" to return to the states with his revolver(and holster) even though all the EX-PURTS say that didn't happen either.


I tend to agree with my father...why would he lie??

Dad is 85,living in NH and retired a full Colonel.

 

[Thuer]

Welkom to the Forum. I am happy to own a model 15 U.S.A.F stamped. I did work for a gunshop in the Netherlands about 12 years ago. They had this revolver in stock. I bought it on first sight. I did know the rarity of this revolver. The later model 15 was given to me by someone who stopt collecting and shooting. Both revolvers are in my collection.

 

[Black Knight]

Welcome to the forum. The 15 was standard issue for more than just the Air Force. Many police and sheriff's departments issued them as well. One big department that comes to mind is LAPD. Police and sheriff marked 15s may be more plentiful than the Air Force models. Either way enjoy your search. Best of luck.

 

[UncleEd]

I believe the Model 15 was officially
the USAF sidearm from 1963 to 1993.

An Army major I worked with in 1963
commented approvingly of the AF's
choice. He didn't like the 1911 though
he was with the MPs.

A number of posters on this forum reported
that when they encountered them in the
service many were pretty beat up.

And as I recall, some have been used right
up to now by the AF for training dog units
as you can repeat a training blank shot
with a revolver
more easily than with a 92 or Sig.

 

[DWalt]

Finding a M15 with USAF markings would be a difficult challenge, as I doubt many, if any, were released for legal sale. My guess that those out there were probably purloined at one time. When I was at the USAF gunsmith shop at Lackland AFB, I had the unpleasant duty of essentially demilling a half-dozen M15s, making them inert so they could be carried in holsters of Honor Guards. Mainly, it involved welding up the guts and plugging barrels. In fact, I wrote the official procedure for M15 inerting. I may still have it somewhere and if I can find it, I will post it here.

When I was at the gunsmith shop, I know that there were quite a few USAF M15s in inventory at Anniston Army Depot. I imagine they have been fed to Captain Crunch by now. At the time I was involved, the dog handlers at the Lackland Mutt School were using them for firing blanks for dog training.

 

[ordnanceguy]

My question: I'd like to learn more about USAF-issued S&Ws, especially the M15s with the USAF stamp on the frame. I would appreciate any pointers to good references, posts or dealers that specialize in these USAF wheel guns so that I can learn more. David

Hello David:

Welcome to the Forum and to the S&WCA. You have come to the right places for information on the Air Force S&Ws. I, too, have always had a soft spot for S&Ws issued to the Air Force.

A good starting point for you would be to take a look at the article published in the Spring 2011 issue of the S&WCA Journal entitled "Military Masterpieces". It was authored by member Kevin Williams who is also a frequent contributor here on the Forum.

 

[Texas Star]

All I saw had the target hammer and trigger. I read that Gen. LeMay thought that assisted handling them in cold weather. I really prefer the std. H&T in that model.

Most had four-inch barrels, and you can see that in Viet war photos of pilots, inc. at least one of famed fighter pilot Col. Robin Olds.

The snubs were often used by SAC missile crews. This Model 56 (AF term) differed from civilian M-15 snubs by having a dull gray sighting surface in lieu of the grooved M-15. I think all four inch guns were identical to civilian guns with target H&T, other than U.S.A.F. marking.

The most common holster was a swivel model. Many of us bought our own, and no one where I served cared, or usually even noticed. I especially liked Safariland's Model 29 holster.

Due to shortages, we also had many former Navy Victory Model .38's. I think those were phased out by ca. 1970, as Combat Masterpiece deliveries matched demand.

If you want a collection of former USAF Combat Masterpieces, your collection will be very small. Even if you could find many, only two models exist! Well, if you add those refreshed by AF arsenals in Parkerizing, that's a third variant.

 

[DWalt]

On the topic of M15s, this is the special ammunition made for the USAF which was issued for use in the M15.

 

[CALREB]

I bought one over 35 years ago at the academy gunshop. 115.00, a year or
two later the hammer stud broke. At the time I didn't think it was worth repairing so I took the internal parts out and stuffed it into a box or somewhere. ONE day maybe it will show up and I can get it fixed. I bought one stamped LASD at the same time and still have it. I did alter it a bit some years ago.

 

[vistafjord]

Thank you! Very useful info!

Hello David:

Welcome to the Forum and to the S&WCA. You have come to the right places for information on the Air Force S&Ws. I, too, have always had a soft spot for S&Ws issued to the Air Force.

A good starting point for you would be to take a look at the article published in the Spring 2011 issue of the S&WCA Journal entitled "Military Masterpieces". It was authored by member Kevin Williams who is also a frequent contributor here on the Forum.

Thanks for the referral to the articles and thank you to all who responded!

 

[triaxle]

I do not think all were marked USAF ,what would the serial number range be on them .