USAF model 13

marcus396

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A local auction has this Aircrewman and several others but this one is only USAF marked, sn c283807 diamond grips P proof marke rates 95% no pouch, I noticed the grips has S&W medallion and was looking for USAF medallion, the 3 other model 13 are US marked, later S/N and a supposed pre model 13, which would be the pre model 12 with alum frame and cylinder, similar to my pre model 12. Marked revolver lightweight M13 all of them, no 2 C401708 98% US marked No 3. C402022 90% US marked No 4. C 402720 95% US marked. Pre model 13 ( pre model 12?) 2" airweight flat latch 5 screw diamond grips C237317 same as aircrewman but with out markings. On the USAF model, if the grip serial numbers match rest of gun, then I will consider this for a purchase, but the medallion grips send a red flag to me, please feel free to fill me on of legitimacy of these. Thanks Marc

was there a cut off s/n that the medallions were changed from S&W to USAF , also, there are extra model13 aircrewman parts available, cylinders, triggers, hammers and two sets of grips , this gentleman was a Retired USAF Colonel and this was from his personal estate,
seems like aircrewman 1948-52 US marked 1957 and pre model 13 ( model 12?) 1953 . why would pre model s/n date post date a dated aircrewman? red flag no 2?
 

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The photos appear to show an authentic M13. I am unaware of how many (or early) of these had the Air Force stock medallions but they are not common. The serial number range of the guns mentioned all fall in the M13 range, and the US- and non-backstrap stamped guns are less common also. The only ways to tell if they are authentic are a factory historical letter and close in-person examination. Good luck with your decision.
 
Thanks for the replies, and thank you for your service to OUR Country, I appreciate your imput. I do have an opportunity to have a hands on examination and check to see if grips match, I do expect these to all sell north of 1200 with exception of pre model 12, I will give results on selling prices and hopefully I may come away with one of these. a picture is a thing of beauty, but I withhold judgement until I see it in person.
 
Thanks, Marcus. I have a pre model 12 myself, and would love to have a Mod 13. Good luck! Don't let it get away. We would love to congratulate you!:)

His gun, with provenance, is probably worth a little extra.
 
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AirCommando and Marcus - does your model pre 12's have the alum cylinder?

I picked one up a few weeks back, serial #2372xx and lucky enough to get the orig box also. It has the alum cylinder and I have not found any cracks.


Charlie

brazilian45pre12009.jpg
 
AirCommando and Marcus - does your model pre 12's have the alum cylinder?

I picked one up a few weeks back, serial #2372xx and lucky enough to get the orig box also. It has the alum cylinder and I have not found any cracks.


Charlie

brazilian45pre12009.jpg

Nice one, Charlie! Mine is C 237217. I bet yours is pretty close....
Mine doesn't have the box. It looks like somebody shot a few cylinders through it but only a few, judging from the cylinder face, but no marks or scoring on the recoil shield. You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at the barrel, either. Very very faint turn line on the cylinder. No cracks, 98%, etc.
These are VERY cool guns. The only thing I don't like about it is I can't shoot the darn thing! And that really bugs me. I must confess I don't even like handling it a lot. Heck, I even shoot my Sudanese and Portuguese AR-10s once in awhile.....
 
great looking pistol!!! mine does not either, due to the transition model (1957-58) before the model was stamped in the crane. I have pics posted of it on other posts, I am confident that this was a factory set up, but letter will confirm this. I got mine from an estate auction from a retired USAF Officer. Now the only question I had was the high polished blue barrel and cylinder that seems different from others i have seen, but lighting conditions and clarity of photos make a difference too.
 

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mine does not either, due to the transition model before the model was stamped in the crane. I have pics posted of it on other posts, I am confident that this was a factory set up, but letter will confirm this. I got mine from an estate auction from a retired USAF Officer.

Marcus, I didn't mean to imply mine was ever a USAF gun. It's in the wrong serial number range. And I have a Roy Jinks ltr. stating it was sold in 1954 and to where it was sent and it's no AFB., so it's a civilian version with the aluminum cylinder, which was dropped from all of them at the end of 1954.
I think you are on to the "real thing", though.
 
I got mine from the son of a former AF Col. These guys must have carted all the good ones home. Mine was carried for twenty years as a ccw by this old guy. My gun is about 80-85% gun but it has a nice history.
 
I would be more than happy to have a letter say it was indeed sent to my neighbor, since he was in the USAF at that time, cause he had other s&w model 10's, but this one stood out due the diamond grips and condition., I was lucky to get it for 350. I guess any doubts I have will be dictated by bidding prices. But for what it is worth, I want the extra aluminum cylinders triggers hammers sideplates, etc, because I can always resale what I dont need. Looking up past prices on these aircrewman, 750-1785 is about what I am finding, but the way things go, a 98% may go way north of 2 grand, but one rule I have when I go to estate auctions, if I see an Veteran looking or even bidding on something I am interested in, I tend to let them have it, its more sentimentel to them, then myself, and they appreciate it afterwards.
 
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Resurrecting an old thread... I just spotted a for sale posting on seattleguns.net for a USAF model 13 Aircrewman for $500. K-frame, 2" barrel, blue, round butt, ramp-mounted half moon-ish front sight, s/n C259348. Not my cup of tea, but it looked like a reasonable price for an uncommon gun and I figured somewhere on board here might be interested.
 
Resurrecting an old thread... I just spotted a for sale posting on seattleguns.net for a USAF model 13 Aircrewman for $500. K-frame, 2" barrel, blue, round butt, ramp-mounted half moon-ish front sight, s/n C259348. Not my cup of tea, but it looked like a reasonable price for an uncommon gun and I figured somewhere on board here might be interested.

That gun looks to be an original frame, but re-built everything else. The cylinder is stamped with K serial number. The barrel is also appears to be cut down and is most certainly incorrect.
 
Too bad. I don't know much about aircrewmans (aircrewmen?), my interest lies in Chief Specials, but I figured someone might be interested. Too bad it's not authentic and/or original.
 
not mine but on ebay there is an aircrewman aluminum cylinder with a serial number that is only a few digits off of that frames serial number
 

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