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LOT 1452
Exceptional, Rare, Highly Desirable USAF Smith & Wesson M13 Aircrewman Double Action Revolver
with USAF Holster - Serial no. C368839, 38 Special cal., 2
inch solid rib bbl., blue/black anodized finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1954-1956. This revolver was produced on government contract for the U.S. Air Force, who designated it the Model 13 Aircrewmen and requested the revolvers be stamped “M13”. They were intended for 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 rejected because of problems with the alloy cylinder with most destroyed by the government or S&W, making surviving examples rare and highly desirable. 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 “C368839” is on the butt of the frame. The barrel is
un-numbered. The six-shot alloy cylinder and extractor are numbered to different guns. 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).
Includes a black leather “USAF” marked holster with shoulder strap
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% of the original blue and black anodized finishes with some scattered light handling marks and a light cylinder drag line. The casehardened parts retain 85% of the finish
with specks of rust visible on the lower trigger. The otherwise excellent grips are with a series of short minor cuts visible in the top rear of the left panel, a few scattered minor handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very fine with some scattered light scuffs and handling marks.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 1453
Highly Desirable Documented U.S. Rock
Island Arsenal M15 General Officers Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Bill of Sale - Serial no.
GO314, 45 ACP cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is a desirable
documented example of a U.S. Army issue M15 General Officer
pistol. The M15 pistols were manufactured solely by Rock Island
Arsenal starting in the early 1970s through approximately
1985 when the US Army adopted the Beretta M9 pistol. This
specific pistol is listed on p. 148 of “The Colt General Officers’ Pistol”
by Greeley as being issued in 1975. These pistols were fabricated by using a standard M1911A1 pistol, milling off old markings and then applying the new markings and
shortening the slide and barrel assembly to 4 1/2 inches, installing a high profile front and rear sight, serrated mainspring housing, and the National Match style checkered front grip strap. The left side of the slide is marked
with “General Officer Model/RIA”, and “Serial No. GO 314” is on the right side of the frame above the grips. The grips are checkered walnut, and the right side has a cast Rock Island Arsenal ordnance emblem, while the left grip
panel is inlaid with a blank silver name plate. The pistol has a highly polished blue finish on most the parts, the barrel is chrome plated, and it is furnished with a full blue magazine hand marked “314” on the right side. Includes the a brief letter addressed to Major General John Coffey Jr. stating that his bill of sale for purchase of the this
pistol (listed by serial number) is enclosed. Also includes the previously mentioned original U.S. Army bill of sale
listing the pistol by serial number. John Coffey Jr. was Adjutant General of the Oklahoma Military Department. CONDITION: Extremely fine, retains 95% plus of the original arsenal blue finish with some very light edge wear and
some light oxidation visible in the right slide serrations. The right grip panel has a series of vertical cracks, one running the full length that has been glued, and otherwise minimal handling marks with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
AS LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK THE COLT U.S. GENERAL OFFICER'S PISTOL BY GREELEY