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LOT 3276
Extremely Rare and Highly Desirable Documented USAF Smith &
Wesson “Baby Aircrewman” Double Action Revolver with USAF Holster Rig and Factory Letter - Serial no. A.F.No.1931, 38 S&W special
cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/anodized finish, walnut grips. This is an extremely rare and desirable example of a Smith & Wesson four-screw J-frame revolver produced on government contract for the U.S. Air Force known by collectors as the coveted Baby Aircrewman. The revolvers were intended for use by flight crews as survival weapons in the event of an emergency. Smith & Wesson reportedly manufactured 605 J-frame Aircrewmen, and, like this example, they fall into the A.F.No. 1795 to A.F.No. 2399 serial number range. (Smith & Wesson also manufactured a version based on the five-screw K-frame, which fall into the serial number range A.F. No. 1190 to A.F. No.1794.) The Baby Aircrewman model was subsequently rejected because of problems with the alloy cylinder and most were destroyed by the government with very few examples surviving. Smith & Wesson experts and authors of “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson”, Jim Supica and Richard Nahas, estimate that 10 to 15 revolvers survived. The revolver has a 2 inch barrel numbered to the gun on the underside, 5-shot alloy cylinder numbered to the gun on the rear face and marked “8” under the ejector which is also numbered to match, alloy J-frame with four screws and checkered grips with U.S. Air Force medallions. These Air Force medallions are only found on the A.F. NO. numbered guns. The inside
of the right grip panel is numbered to the gun. The barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON” on the left side and “AIRCREWMAN/38 SPECIAL CTG.” on the right side. The frame is marked with the four line Smith & Wesson marking on the right side, and the S&W logo is on the left side. A “P” proofmark is stamped over the trigger guard on the left side. The inside of the frame and crane have matching assembly numbers (“323”).The smooth back strap is marked “PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE.” Below the Air Force marking and extending to the back edge of both grip panels (right panel stamped “1931” internally, matching the revolver) is the number “253,” likely an Air Force inventory number, in white paint. The hammer and trigger are casehardened. The “A.F.No.1931” serial number is marked on the butt. The accompanying factory letter confirms the configuration (2 inch barrel, blue finish and checkered walnut round butt grips) and that the revolver was shipped on October 27, 1952
and delivered to U.S. Air Force, Transportations Officer, Air Proving Grounds, Eglin Air Force Base, Pensacola, Florida. Includes a black leather shoulder holster marked “USAF” on the flap.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue/anodized finish with limited light edge wear and a faint cylinder drag line. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are also excellent with some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster rig is fine with typical flex wear and some minor handling/storage marks.
This is a true Smith & Wesson “Baby Aircrewman” survivor, one of the most highly desirable and sought-after U. S. martial handguns ever produced, one that will be a valued addition to any S&W or military collection!
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
According to the Smith & Wesson factory letter by historian Roy Jinks, only 605 of the Smith & Wesson Baby Aircrewman revolvers were evaluated by the U.S. Airforce as part of their Air Crew Program
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