This is an extremely rare and desirable example of a Smith & Wesson four-screw J-frame revolver produced on government contract for the U.S. Air Force known by collectors as the coveted Baby Aircrewman. The revolvers were intended for use by flight crews as survival weapons in the event of an emergency. Smith & Wesson reportedly manufactured 605 J-frame Aircrewmen, and, like this example, they fall into the A.F.No. 1795 to A.F.No. 2399 serial number range. (Smith & Wesson also manufactured a version based on the five-screw K-frame, which fall into the serial number range A.F. No. 1190 to A.F. No.1794.) The Baby Aircrewman model was subsequently rejected because of problems with the alloy cylinder and most were destroyed by the government with very few examples surviving. Smith & Wesson experts and authors of "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson", Jim Supica and Richard Nahas, estimate that 10 to 15 revolvers survived. The revolver has a 2 inch barrel numbered to the gun on the underside, 5-shot alloy cylinder numbered to the gun on the rear face and marked "8" under the ejector which is also numbered to match, alloy J-frame with four screws and checkered grips with U.S. Air Force medallions. These Air Force medallions are only found on the A.F. NO. numbered guns. The inside of the right grip panel is numbered to the gun. The barrel is marked "SMITH & WESSON" on the left side and "AIRCREWMAN/38 SPECIAL CTG." on the right side. The frame is marked with the four line Smith & Wesson marking on the right side, and the S&W logo is on the left side. A "P" proofmark is stamped over the trigger guard on the left side. The inside of the frame and crane have matching assembly numbers ("323").The smooth back strap is marked "PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE." Below the Air Force marking and extending to the back edge of both grip panels (right panel stamped "1931" internally, matching the revolver) is the number "253," likely an Air Force inventory number, in white paint. The hammer and trigger are casehardened. The "A.F.No.1931" serial number is marked on the butt. The accompanying factory letter confirms the configuration (2 inch barrel, blue finish and checkered walnut round butt grips) and that the revolver was shipped on October 27, 1952 and delivered to U.S. Air Force, Transportations Officer, Air Proving Grounds, Eglin Air Force Base, Pensacola, Florida. Includes a black leather shoulder holster marked "USAF" on the flap.