98

Smith & Wesson M13 Air Crewman .38 Spl

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,750.00 USD
Smith & Wesson M13 Air Crewman .38 Spl
SN: C403446 '.38 Military & Police Airweight' Extremely scarce and desirable high condition vintage U.S. military lightweight medium frame double action revolver chambered in .38 Special, manufactured in Springfield, Mass circa 1957. Smith & Wesson produced approximately 40,000 M13 revolvers under government contract for the U.S. Air Force between 1951-1957. These revolvers were intended for use by flight crews as survival weapons but in 1959 the USAF deemed aluminum frame revolvers unsafe and called for them to be destroyed. The majority of the M13 revolvers were destroyed, few survived and even fewer remain in near excellent condition such as this one. Revolver features a pinned 2” blued steel barrel, serrated ramp front sight, square notch rear sight, fluted six-shot alloy cylinder, non-shrouded ejector rod, flat latch thumbpiece, serrated .240 case hardened trigger, case hardened .240” hammer with checkered spur, special four screw alloy K frame measuring .575” thick with blue anodized finish & round butt and two-piece diamond checkered walnut Magna grips with inlaid silver S&W medallions. Matching serial numbers are observed on the frame (butt), extractor star and right grip panel. The numbers “541” are also observed on the extractor star and on the rear face of the cylinder under the extractor star. Military markings - “REVOLVER, LIGHTWEIGHT, M13” on the topstrap, “P” on the left side of the frame and “U.S.” on the backstrap. Includes a two-page factory letter stating that this revolver was shipped on Sept. 18, 1957 to Robins Air Base in Georgia as part of a 952-unit shipment. Revolver exhibits approximately 96% of its original finish showing light scattered scratches, a faint drag line on the cylinder and minor pin prick pitting near the muzzle. Action is mechanically sound, the bore is excellent and the matching walnut grips are very good with some blemishes. ***The frame on this revolver is cracked under the barrel*** This is common with the alloy frame Smiths and is part of the reason why the Air Force deemed these unsafe. Printed in the S&W letter, “Smith & Wesson does not recommend that you fire these revolvers having an aluminum alloy cylinder. These revolvers are considered collector’s items and are too valuable to fire.” Condition is NRA Excellent as a non-firing collectors item. ***C&R Firearm***