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LOT 301
Outstanding, Rare, Highly Desirable, Documented USAF Smith & Wesson M13 Aircrewman Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. C278913, 38 Special cal., 2
inch solid rib bbl., blue/black anodized finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in late 1953 or very early 1954, this revolver was
produced on government contract for the U.S. Air Force, who designated it
the Model 13 Aircrewman and requested the revolvers be stamped “M13”. They were intended for use by strategic bomber crews for use as survival weapons. Weight conscious, they were originally produced with a lightweight alloy frame
and cylinder with a steel barrel. The model was
eventually rejected because of problems with the alloy
cylinder with most destroyed by the government or S&W,
making surviving examples rare and highly desirable
among collectors. The top strap is marked “REVOLVER,
LIGHTWEIGHT, M13”. Back strap marked “PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR
FORCE”. The left side of the frame has a “P” proof mark. Serial number is on the butt of the frame. The six-shot alloy cylinder, barrel, and extractor are numbered to the gun. The checkered grips
have S&W medallions, with the right panel numbered to the gun. This revolver falls within the accepted Aircrewman serial range of C247000-C405363 (“The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas, pg. 147). The included factory letter confirms the current configuration as well as shipment to Norton Air Base in San Bernardino, California on 18 January 1954. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original blue and black anodized finishes and 98% of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer and trigger with a few scattered light handling marks, some very light muzzle wear, and a light cylinder drag line. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
LOT 302
Documented U.S. Coast Guard Shipped and “NASA” Marked Colt Third Series Woodsman
Match Target with Colt Factory Letter - Serial no. 162037-S, 22 LR cal., 6 inch slab sided bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in 1955, this is a rare example of a U.S. Coast Guard shipped Colt Woodsman
Match Target pistol. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not
listed) as well as sale to Joseph A. Lorch in Washington D.C. and shipment to the U.S. Coast
Guard Supply Center in Jersey City, New Jersey on 22 December 1955. Bolstered by the two
included U.S. Coast Guard pistol marksmanship medals, it is likely that these pistols were
initially intended for the branch’s pistol competition teams. The right side of the pistol is
stamped “U.S. COAST GUARD” below the serial number. It appears that this pistol then passed
into the possession of two other government agencies, with “NASA” marked on the right
above the serial number for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and is marked
TVA/298860” on the left, likely for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Both of these markings have
been done in electropencil. The pistols otherwise has standard markings and features. Includes the previously mentioned factory letter and Coast Guard medals as well as a pair of hardwood, thumbrest, target type grips. CONDITION: Very fine retains 90% of the original blue finish with some scattered light handling marks and light
edge wear, as well as the markings mentioned above. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered minor
handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to own a Colt Woodsman
pistol associated with the U.S. Coast Guard and multiple government agencies!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 303
Rare Unopened U.S.
Navy Atlantic Escape
and Evasion “Barter
Kit” - Designed for and
issued to American pilots
possibly as early as World
War II, but more likely
during the Cold War era,
for use in the event they
were downed behind
enemy lines, or otherwise
found themselves in
hostile territory. On
average the kits contained
approximately .90 Troy
ounces of fine gold in the
form of coins and rings,
and were issued sealed.
Due to the value of the
individual kits, each kit
was serial numbered and had to be signed out and signed back in with
all contents accounted for if the kit was opened in the course of duty. This particular kit is the Atlantic variation (kits were made for both the European and Pacific theaters), which would traditionally contain a British 1 Pound gold Sovereign, two British gold half Sovereigns, a 10 Franc coin, a 20 Franc coin, and three golden rings. The case itself is hard rubber and marked “IF
FOUND RETURN TO/COMNAVAIRLANT (CNAL 34)/NORFOLK, VIRGINIA” on
both sides and the individual serial number “1810” is hand marked on one side. The writer’s belief that these are Cold War artifacts is due to “NAV” not being added to the “COMNAVAIRLANT” title until the 1950’s, prior to then it was simply referred to as “COMAIRLANT”, or Commander, Air Force Atlantic. Includes what appears to be a bidding form from the original Department of Defense auction when the piece was purchased in 1980.
CONDITION: Very fine, the case showing a few scattered minor dings and pressure marks but otherwise minimal wear and the factory seal appearing to be intact. A rare piece that would add a touch of curiosity to any U.S. military collection!
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
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