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LOT 1466
Extremely Rare and Highly Desirable U.S.A.F.
Smith & Wesson “Baby Aircrewman” Double Action
Revolver - Serial no. A.F.No.1966, 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 manufactured on government contract for the U.S. Air Force, and known by collectors as the coveted Baby Aircrewman. These revolvers were intended for use by flight crews as survival weapons in the
event of an emergency. Reportedly, Smith & Wesson manufactured 605 J-frame Aircrewman
revolvers, 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 due to safety issues encountered with the alloy cylinder, and most were destroyed by the government. There are very few surviving examples today. 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, ejector numbered to match on the underside, alloy J-frame with four screws and checkered grips with U.S. Air Force medallions. These Air Force medallions are only found on these “A.F. NO.” marked guns. The inside of the right grip panel 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 stamped above the front of the trigger guard on the left. Matching assembly number “606” marked on the inside of the frame and crane. “PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE” marked on the back strap, and the “A.F.No.1966” serial number is marked on the butt.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus original blue/anodized finish with a light cylinder drag line and
what appears to be a possible factory defect on the cylinder
with a small ground spot near one of the stops. 99% vivid original case
colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are also excellent with defined edges, some minor
handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This is a true Smith & Wesson “Baby Aircrewman”
survivor. As one of the most highly desirable and sought-after U.S. military handguns ever made, this would be the crown jewel in any
Smith & Wesson or U.S. military firearms collection! Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500