USAF Smith & Wesson S&W Model M13 Aircrewman .38 Spl 2″ Revolver 1957 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4025
LSB#: 220307KW016
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: M13 Aircrewman
Serial Number: C402022
Year of Manufacture: 1957 (Smith & Wesson Letter)
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: 6-Shot Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “.38 SPL. CTG.*”, the right is marked “SMITH & WESSON”. The side plate has S&W’s monogram logo, the right side of the frame is marked with the four line Marcas Registradas. The yoke and yoke cut have inspection marks. The sides of the grip frame have inspection marks. The butt of the grip frame is marked with the serial number. The backstrap is marked “U.S.”. The topstrap is marked “REVOLVER, LIGHTWEIGHT, M13”. The left side of the frame is marked “P” at the yoke. The inside of the right grip panel is stamped “402 / 022”. The front face of the ejector is marked “402022”.
Barrel Length: 2?
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch at the rear of the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut magna stocks with S&W logo medallions and smooth diamonds around the grip screws. There is a hairline crack on the front of the right panel at the corner where the frontstrap widens into the frame. There are scattered little nicks, dings, compressions, and draglines. There are some areas of thinned and worn finish. The checkering is mostly sharp. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Black Alloy with Blued Steel Barrel & Yoke
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. There is finish wear on the edges, some of the most noticeable is on the trigger guard. There are some little nicks, some of the most noticeable are on the edges of the trigger guard and cylinder. There are some scratches, some of the most noticeable are on the cylinder. There is some thinning on the edge of the muzzle. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked, the heaviest worn screw is the grip screw. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good Plus condition.
Mechanics: Due to the alloy construction of the cylinder, we do not recommend shooting this revolver…neither does Smith & Wesson. The action functions correctly with light side-to-side play in lockup. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Smith & Wesson letter and a brown storage box.
Our Assessment: When the Korean War started in 1950, the US Air Force put out a call for lightweight, compact personal defense weapons they could issue to aircrews. Colt and Smith & Wesson, two of the largest and oldest revolver manufacturers, both submitted prototypes that used aluminum alloys in their designs. Fun Fact: While a common material today, aluminum was almost exclusively used in prototypes and one-off firearms prior to the 1950s. Oliver Winchester built a prototype shotgun with aluminum receiver plates as early as 1865, but the cost to purify and process aluminum was prohibitive back then. The Air Force would adopt Smith & Wesson’s design and ordered over 40,000 of these lightweight six shooters in .38 Special. These would arm aircrewmen as well as agents in the Office of Special Investigations. Unfortunately, the aluminum alloy that was so cutting edge and lightweight that it helped Smith & Wesson win the Air Force contract was this product’s ultimate undoing. By 1959, many of the aluminum cylinders and frames of these revolvers showed significant breaks, cracks, and weaknesses, some units having ruptured altogether. The Smith & Wesson M13 Aircrewmen revolver, which requires the low-pressure M41 Special Ball ammunition as they couldn’t withstand commercial ammo loaded with lead bullets, was scraped (literally, in most cases). But these guns were the beginning of a revolution in gun materials, and this revolver and its accessories showcase that history perfectly. This one comes with a Smith & Wesson letter stating that it was shipped to Robins Air Force base Georgia in September of 1957. Not just that but it gets even better, this one comes from the collection of author Kevin Williams, best known for his work on the topic of General Officers Pistols & Clandestine Organization Pistols of WWII. There were several variations of the model, it is rare to get one, but to have a chance at different variations is a treat. This is the model simply marked “U.S.” on the backstrap. Whether you’re a general firearms collector, military historian, or specifically a Smith & Wesson fan, this revolver would improve any collection it joined. Please see our photos and good luck!