S&W Combat Masterpiece Model 15-3 USAF Contract

[Mustang]

During some research on these USAF M-15's I read stories of guys bringing their own commercial ammunition or having family ship it to them as the Air Force loads they were issued were pretty weak.

The AF had some fairly hot .38 ammo, the PGU-12/B. It was much hotter than the M41 round and was seated very deeply in the case.

I've read that it fired the 130gr FMJ bullet at close to 1000 fps out of a 4" M15.

[Mustang]

BTW, I think "Combat Masterpiece" is one of the coolest names of any firearm.

Dan

The model 19 was known as the "Combat Magnum".

[Mtndewking]

Beautiful piece.

[MarCat]

Really nice wheel gun, and I appreciate the background. Thank you for sharing.

[smle-man]

Dad was navy aviation in WW2 and Korea.
His revolver was loaded with tracers so he could signal his location if he went down.
It was common practice.

Army aviators still had .38 revolvers when I was associated with helicopter units. Some of the newer contract revolvers lacked lanyard rings so the lanyard went through the trigger guard. They had a hodge-podge of models and makes and as I recall the survival vest contained tracer rounds for signaling.

[I Swan]

I had a USAF 15 I paid $800 eventually sold it for $2000 it was not lettered when I bought it I was sweating it for months until the letter arrived hoping I didn't buy a fake.

Mine was a very pristine example I'm surprised it didn't go higher at auction.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

There is already a lot to love about S&W pre-lock revolvers. Acquiring one with a sought after lineage is icing on the cake. That is a beautiful wheelgun OP, certainly an heirloom level keeper all the way.

[crotter]

I had a USAF 15 I paid $800 eventually sold it for $2000 it was not lettered when I bought it I was sweating it for months until the letter arrived hoping I didn't buy a fake.

Mine was a very pristine example I'm surprised it didn't go higher at auction.

Curious when you sold yours?

There is already a lot to love about S&W pre-lock revolvers. Acquiring one with a sought after lineage is icing on the cake. That is a beautiful wheelgun OP, certainly an heirloom level keeper all the way.

Thank you! Its definitely a keeper.

[I Swan]

I sold it about a year or two ago.