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SMITH & WESSON USAF LIGHT WEIGHT M13 REVOLVER &

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
SMITH & WESSON USAF LIGHT WEIGHT M13 REVOLVER &
HOLSTER. Cal. 38 Spl. S# C261158. Bbl. 2" pinned w/ 1/10" serrated ramp sight plus frame notched rear. Mfg. 1953 (1951-1957) w/ alloy rnd. butt fame & cyl. for USAF. Colt produced similar revolver based on alloy framed Detective Special. Initial runs of both had "A.F." prefixed S#'s on butts; later S&W variants having regular S#'s beginning w/ "C". Some S&W J frames produced as well. Model 13's originally of 5 screw variation as is this one. All matching numbers of bbl., cyl., extractor & diamond center checkered Magna grips having S&W silver medallions. Approx. 40,000 units ordered, but most were destroyed after Air Force deemed them unsafe (1959) & ordered their destruction. Due to some stronger ammo being used in them, cyl.'s. split leading to unsafe declaration. Some pristine examples escaped destruction done by crushing or torching. Some were "salvaged" by fitting w/ steel replacement cyl.'s. This revolver has obviously been used & likely by USAF personnel. Cyl. latch is modified flat latch of steel believed to be second change having smooth edges. Left side of bbl. w/ "SMITH & WESSON"; right ".38 SPL. CTG.". 5392 assembly number on crane & yoke. Left side of top strap w/ "REVOLVER, LIGHT WEIGHT, M.13" plus "Property of U.S. Air Force" on backstrap. Standard case colored checkered hammer & grooved trigger. Face of recoil shield w/ steel bushing for extractor rod & extractor bearing surface. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: good plus matching black leather flap holster w/ "USAF" at top face of flap retained by 2 aluminum studs. White stitching w/ reinforcing rivets. Belt loop attached at rear in like fashion w/ two "Lift the Dot" snaps on front (1 missing base portion). CONDITION: fair to good appearance w/ noticeable holster wear; a used "survivor" w/ holster that missed the destruction program. Steel parts w/ light peppery oxidation. Fair to good grips w/ hand wear, light marks & weather checks at top of left. Near excellent bore. (20-900/NW). CURIO. $3,500-5,000.