USAF Model 15-2

[Beak463]

Memories -
Yes I carried a Model 15 starting in the late 60's for the Air Force as a Special Weapons Specialist. Additionally, we had to destroy 25 Model 12 Winchester Skeet grade shotguns (from the Skeet Range), as they were deemed to be too old and unsafe. I'm sure the Model 15's were on the same road. We were not allowed to buy any firearm from the USAF.

 

[KJM]

Pics of mine would not load...will try again later.

EDIT----- got it.

 

[KJM]

Stocks were never off this revolver until this year....

Yes, bottom of box is also serial numbered to gun.

 

[Chop]

I have a Model 15-1 that is marked with just US. Someone else here on the forum has one marked the same way.
It's well used and came with the wrong grips.
A letter from Roy showed it was shipped to Warner Robbins.
I will see if I can did it out of the safe and take some pictures.

Chop

 

[hsguy]

IIRC, the Army was the procurement agency for all the small arms that eventually ended up in USAF possession. Warner Robins was the logistics center that had responsibility for distribution within the USAF once they were obtained thru Army supply channels.

gunblade, while the Army may have procured guns for the USAF most of the USAF 15's seem to letter directly to the AF.

 

[kwill1911]

I have a Model 15-1 that is marked with just US. Someone else here on the forum has one marked the same way.
It's well used and came with the wrong grips.
A letter from Roy showed it was shipped to Warner Robbins.
I will see if I can did it out of the safe and take some pictures.

Chop

Please do!

 

[kwill1911]

gunblade, while the Army may have procured guns for the USAF most of the USAF 15's seem to letter directly to the AF.

I agree. After 1947 I don't believe the Army was making any small arms purchases for the Air Force.

 

[JayCeeNC]

KJM, that's an absolute jewel you have there!

 

[KJM]

KJM, that's an absolute jewel you have there!

Thanks. It looks better in person.
I can't see any evidence that it was ever fired.
The box and wrappings...the whole package is just pretty unique.
One day I will get some pics in good light outside and re-post some more.

 

[jsw229]

It makes me sick to think that deep blued wonderful gun I carried 27 years ago ened up as scrap. At least we still have those wonderful memories.

 

[oldafsp]

It makes me sick to think that deep blued wonderful gun I carried 27 years ago ened up as scrap. At least we still have those wonderful memories.

Amen brother

I too would love to have a AF issued 15....the cost is prohibitive for me being retired. Too many other things I have to do.

But nice 15's are out there and pretty reasonable for very nice examples.

I have three at this time and probably will buy a couple more. I shoot my 15-3
(1969)blued every week. Its the most fun I can have with my clothes on..

And my wife just shakes her head when we go out and I carry my nickle 15-3 in a Bianchi X-15 vintage shoulder holster under a sport coat.

It's the memories, and history that will never leave those of us who had the honor of carrying these fine weapons to protect lives and property.

 

[gunblade]

I agree. After 1947 I don't believe the Army was making any small arms purchases for the Air Force.

I thought differently...seems like there was some connection, maybe not with the M15s but possibly with other weapons. M203s come to mind, M60s and the like...procured for the AF thru Army procurement channels somehow. Maybe just certain weapons that were common to both branches? Dunno for sure.

 

[edlmann]

If anyone has one that they are willing to part with I am in the market.

Originals were stamped, not engraved.

 

[tyndalltb]

Spent most of my career as a CATM/SP-SF Armory guy. There are still a few remaining M15s left in the AF inventory. The K-9 doghandlers use to fire blanks to acclimate the MWD's to weapons fire. Usually just a couple per base in the cop armory. I never saw them with USAF stamped under the cylinder though. Generally, they are the nastiest guns in the armory; broken rear sights, lots of carbon, etc. Don't get much TLC from the K-9 guys. I've never seen one at a gun show....but I'm going to start looking nice additions to go with my Victories and M1917.

-As far as defacing some rare guns,,The AF got the first M16s back in the 60's, and the base armories had alot of oldies in storage. They were all upgraded A2s and 3 rd burst. Brings a tear to your eye crossing out "FIRE" with "xxxx" on a pristine condition lower receiver and cold stamping "BURST" onto an Armalite M16 with a 4 digit serial number.

 

[Critch]

I carried a Model 15 as a nuclear weapons specialist in Wyoming in the early 70s and loved it..I went out and bought one just to shoot for myself. I put a parkerized Model 15 on layaway the other day, I only paid $350.00 for it. the pistol is in very good shape and mostly just has holster wear. I also carried one in supply in the Air Guard as late as
1995.
The Russians had no idea who they were screwing with, an 18 year old airman with 5 bullets....

 

[texagun]

The Russians had no idea who they were screwing with, an 18 year old airman with 5 bullets....

You were over-armed. Barney only got to carry one bullet...in his shirt pocket.

 

[PR24]

Huh?

I carried a Model 15 as a nuclear weapons specialist in Wyoming in the early 70s and loved it..I went out and bought one just to shoot for myself. I put a parkerized Model 15 on layaway the other day, I only paid $350.00 for it. the pistol is in very good shape and mostly just has holster wear. I also carried one in supply in the Air Guard as late as
1995.
The Russians had no idea who they were screwing with, an 18 year old airman with 5 bullets....

Did the AF really make you carry the 15 like a SAA wheel gun of old? Good grief, S&W's were WAAAY past drop=bang!! by the time the USAF adopted them. Seems the USN's Victory models had something to so with that......

 

[OIF2]

I hate to post this pic again so soon, but it's one of my favorite guns and appropriate for this thread.
Model 15-2, shipped June, 1964, to Government Accounting and Finance Office, Grand Island, NE. It's believed the GAF office was a disbursement point for military equipment.

It's one of my favorites too and it's not even mine.
Bob

 

[nicholas.pane]

USAF Smith model15

Hello;

I was on a SAC base 59 thru 62. The crews used those but when the armory decided the 15's had seen enough they would take them out of service, sent them to metal fab and have them torch the frame and barrel. I talked to a couple of guys at the armory and they said they didn't want them getting out into the civilian market.

thanks,

Nicholas