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LOT 423
Extremely Rare, Exceptional and Highly Desirable Documented First Variation U.S.A.F. Smith & Wesson Aircrewman Double Action Revolver with Smith and Wesson Collectors Association Letter - Serial no. A.F.No.1685, 38 S&W special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/black anodized finish, walnut grips. This is a rare and desirable example of a Smith & Wesson five-screw K-frame revolver produced on government contract for the U.S. Air Force, known by collectors as the coveted Aircrewman. The revolvers were intended for use by flight crews as survival weapons in the event of an emergency. Smith & Wesson reportedly manufactured 605 K-frame Aircrewman revolvers, like this example, in the A.F. No. 1190 to A.F. No. 1794 serial number range following the Colt lot. The majority of these revolvers were destroyed by the government; collectors acknowledge that only approximately 11 of the 605 were known to exist as of 2021, with four of those remaining in the inventory at Springfield Armory. Smith & Wesson also manufactured a version based on the four-screw J-frame, which fall into the serial number range A.F. No. 1795 to A.F. No. 2399. The Aircrewman model was subsequently modified at the request of the United States Army to remove the fifth screw and recoil bushing. The revolver has a 2 inch barrel numbered to the gun on the underside, 6-shot alloy cylinder numbered to the gun on the rear face and under the ejector, alloy K-frame with five screws and checkered grips with U.S. Air Force medallions. These Air Force medallion grips are only found on the “A.F. No.” serialized guns. The inside of the right grip is numbered to the gun. The barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON” on the left and “AIRCREWMAN/38 SPECIAL CTG.” on the right. The frame is marked with the four line Smith & Wesson marking on the right, and the S&W logo is on the left. A “P” proofmark is located on the front left of the frame. The inside of the frame and crane both have matching assembly number “472”. “PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE” marked on the back strap. The “A.F.No.1685” serial number is marked on the butt. Accompanying this revolver is a Smith & Wesson Collectors Association Letter, addressed from Rick Nahas, indicating this is indeed an authentic example. CONDITION: Excellent plus, retains 99% original blue and black anodized finishes with limited handling marks, and 99% vivid original case colors on the trigger and hammer with some light freckling. Grips are also excellent with bright medallions, some light handling marks and one small chip in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Impossible to improve upon! Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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