Page 270 - 4093-BOOK2

268
LOT 1284
Outstanding, Rare, Highly Desirable USAF Smith & Wesson M13
Aircrewman Double Action Revolver with Accessories - Serial no. C402924,
38 Special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/black anodized finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1957. (Based on serial number records presented in “The
Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson,” this revolver no. C402924 is the exact gun that started
S&W serial number range for the year 1957.) 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
“U.S.” Only the last 1,500 USAF M13s carried the “U.S.” back strap marking. The left side of the frame has a
“P” proof mark. This revolver falls within the accepted Aircrewman serial range of C247000-C405363 (“The Standard
Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas, pg. 147). Serial number is on the butt of the frame and right grip panel. The number
“1357” appears on the six-shot alloy cylinder and extractor. The barrel is unnumbered. A nine digit number is hand marked on both sides
of the grip frame. The checkered grips have S&W medallions. Includes a copy of the U.S. Army TM9-2027 technical manual for the M13
revolver, USAF leather flap holster, and a box of Federal Cartridge .38 Special M41 ball cartridges.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% original blue/anodized finish with finish loss on the front cylinder face along with edge and handling
wear. The grips are fine with a protective varnish overcoat, some scattered handling marks and some softened checkering. Mechanically excellent. Holster is fine.
A must have USAF revolver missing from even the most advanced U.S. military collections.
Provenance: The Edward Scott Meadows Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 1285
Excellent Early World War I First U.S. Contract
Smith & Wesson Model 1917 Army Double Action Revolver Number 328
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 328, 45 ACP cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. The accompanying factory letter states that this three digit
serial no. 328 S&W Model 1917 Army revolver was part of the first U.S. contract
shipment. The revolver was shipped on November 6, 1917 and delivered
to the U.S. Army, Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, with a 5 1/2 inch
barrel, early style hammer, blue finish, butt swivel, and smooth walnut grips. “UNITED
STATES PROPERTY” marked on the underside of the barrel, “GHS” inspected frame, and
matching serial numbers on the butt, right grip, cylinder, and barrel. The U.S. Army received
approximately 163,000 of these revolvers found in the serial number range 1-169959. As no. 328 this example is an
extremely early production gun.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% original blue finish with a few light handling marks, light cylinder front face flash
marks, and a cylinder drag line. The grips are also excellent with a few dings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 1286
Excellent World War II United States Defense Supply Corporation Contract “Victory Model”
Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 Fourth Change Double Action Revolver
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 972974, 38 S&W special cal., 4 inch round bbl., mid-night black/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. The factory letter states the revolver was part of the United States
Defense Supply Corporation contract, was shipped on April 21, 1942, and delivered to Wallingford Police Department
of Wallingford, Connecticut, with a 4 inch barrel, mid-night black finish, butt swivel, and walnut square butt grips.
This was a single gun shipment. During World War II firearms were sold to private firms under the U.S. Defense Supply
Corporation. These contracted arms were void of military markings and only released under government orders. Features
fixed round blade front and top strap notch rear sights, with standard two line Smith & Wesson address on top of the barrel and caliber
marking on the right, and the Smith & Wesson “TRADE/MARK” emblem on the right of the frame. Fitted with casehardened trigger, hammer, and butt swivel, along a pair of smooth
oiled walnut grips.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original midnight black finish and case colors with limited edge wear, a few minor scuffs on the underside of the barrel and trigger guard,
and minor cylinder drag line. The walnut grips are also excellent with a few faint compression marks and attractive original oil finish. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500