*RARE INTACT ORIGINAL SMITH & WESSON AIRCREWMAN DA REVOLVER W/HOLSTER.

*RARE INTACT ORIGINAL SMITH & WESSON AIRCREWMAN DA REVOLVER W/HOLSTER. SN C232999. Cal. 38 Spcl. Blue/black anodized finish with 2″ steel bbl and aluminum cylinder. It also has an alloy frame with flat latch, case colored hammer & trigger and is mounted with diamond checkered magna walnut grips numbered to this revolver which are fitted with Air Force medallions. Top left side of top strap is marked “REVOLVER, LIGHTWEIGHT, M13” and back strap “PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE”. Left side of frame in forward web of trigger guard is stamped with a small “P” inspector mark. Left side of bbl is marked “SMITH & WESSON” and right side “AIRWEIGHT / 38 SPECIAL CTG.”. Very few of these rare revolvers of the few thousand produced in the 1950’s survive today in orig configuration. When the revolvers were initially produced the Air Force procured a special cartridge just for the aluminum cylinders in these revolvers. Later, Air Force personnel were injured when they attempted to fire normal strength cartridges in the aluminum cylinders which caused them to rupture. Realizing the danger posed by this situation the Air Force issued a recall order in the late 1950’s directing that each Air Force base mutilate and therefore destroy both the Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers with the resulting metal sold as scrap. While this order was apparently carried out as well as humanly possible, human nature being what it is, apparently there were a few “midnight requisitions” between the supply personnel who retrieved them and the salvage yard where they were mutilated. Regardless, extremely few of these rare revolvers survive today in orig configuration. It is the experience of this cataloguer, having been issued a Smith & Wesson Aircrewman in 1959 for a brief period of time, that a few of the revolvers were recalled at some earlier point and the chambers fitted with steel sleeves to accommodate the possibility of more powerful ammunition being used. This revolver is 100% original. Accompanied by an original black leather USAF marked holster, a bill of Sale from noted handgun dealer/authority, William O. Drollinger, and by a copy of an article by Maj. Lewis E. Yearout which appeared in the July/August 1991 magazine Man at Arms. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching including cyl, bbl & grips. Overall retains virtually all of its orig factory finish with a tiny scrape on top front of frame and a faint cylinder line. Hammer & trigger retain brilliant case colors. Grips are crisp. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-37540 JR29 (3,000-5,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1077	$4,025.00	RARE INTACT ORIGINAL SMITH & WESSON AIRCREWMAN DA REVOLVER W/HOLSTER. SN C232999. Cal. 38 Spcl. Blue/black anodized finish with 2″ steel bbl and aluminum cylinder. It also has an alloy frame with flat latch, case colored hammer & trigger and is mounted with diamond checkered magna walnut grips numbered to this revolver which are fitted with Air Force medallions. Top left side of top strap is marked “REVOLVER, LIGHTWEIGHT, M13” and back strap “PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE”. Left side of frame in forward web of trigger guard is stamped with a small “P” inspector mark. Left side of bbl is marked “SMITH & WESSON” and right side “AIRWEIGHT / 38 SPECIAL CTG.”. Very few of these rare revolvers of the few thousand produced in the 1950’s survive today in orig configuration. When the revolvers were initially produced the Air Force procured a special cartridge just for the aluminum cylinders in these revolvers. Later, Air Force personnel were injured when they attempted to fire normal strength cartridges in the aluminum cylinders which caused them to rupture. Realizing the danger posed by this situation the Air Force issued a recall order in the late 1950’s directing that each Air Force base mutilate and therefore destroy both the Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers with the resulting metal sold as scrap. While this order was apparently carried out as well as humanly possible, human nature being what it is, apparently there were a few “midnight requisitions” between the supply personnel who retrieved them and the salvage yard where they were mutilated. Regardless, extremely few of these rare revolvers survive today in orig configuration. It is the experience of this cataloguer, having been issued a Smith & Wesson Aircrewman in 1959 for a brief period of time, that a few of the revolvers were recalled at some earlier point and the chambers fitted with steel sleeves to accommodate the possibility of more powerful ammunition being used. This revolver is 100% original. Accompanied by an original black leather USAF marked holster, a bill of Sale from noted handgun dealer/authority, William O. Drollinger, and by a copy of an article by Maj. Lewis E. Yearout which appeared in the July/August 1991 magazine Man at Arms. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching including cyl, bbl & grips. Overall retains virtually all of its orig factory finish with a tiny scrape on top front of frame and a faint cylinder line. Hammer & trigger retain brilliant case colors. Grips are crisp. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-37540 JR29 (3,000-5,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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