Developed in the 1950s, the Colt Aircrewman was conceived as a personal defense weapon for America's aviators and flight crews, which would be light and compact so as not to be a burden along with all their other survival/mission gear but still be powerful enough to fend off an enemy. To this end, much of the revolver is constructed from aluminum alloy, including the six-shot cylinder, with the barrel and some small components constructed from steel. While successful in bringing the weight down, there were concerns that the resulting weapon couldn't handle the stress of firing the 38 Special cartridge, with reports of cracked cylinders. This variation of the Colt revolver was retired, with the overwhelming majority being destroyed by the Air Force; typically, when one can find a Colt Aircrewman, it had been hacked at with a blowtorch or squashed nearly flat by an industrial press. Examples in any sort of working order and with their alloy cylinder are about as hard to find as an honest politician and are grossly outnumbered by non-U.S.A.F. revolvers doctored to look the part, either as a honest "placeholder" for a collector or in an attempt to perpetrate a fraud; only around 50 legitimate Aircrewman Revolvers are believed to have slipped through the Air Force's fingers in good order. This example is even more rare in that it was one of only five of these revolvers that were sent to Colt Vice Presidents Mr. Havourd and Mr. McNally in Washington D.C. for use in securing the contract from the U.S. Air Force to manufacture these lightweight revolvers. This particular Aircrewman is the real deal and backed by a factory letter, which verifies it was in a single gun shipment to the previously mentioned men in Washington D.C. on 25 October 1951. The letter also confirms the current configuration (grips not listed), including the "A.F. No.5" rollmark that is present on the butt. It features fixed sights, with the "AIRCREWMAN" and caliber markings on the left side of the barrel, 2-line address on the right, "VP" on the trigger guard, and the serial number on the frame and crane. The back strap is deeply engraved "PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE" along the back and "A.F. No.5" on the butt, and it has a set of checkered grips with the signature U.S. Air Force medallions. Includes a "USAF" marked black leather holster, an unlabeled maroon Colt style box, and a U.S. Department of the Army technical manual for these lightweight revolvers and their Smith & Wesson counterparts.

Excellent, retains 95% plus of the original blue and black anodized finish with some scattered light handling marks and light edge wear. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box, holster, and manual are all very fine with very light wear. This is an extremely rare opportunity to add one of the most scarce models of U.S. military sidearm to your collection, an excellent, documented, and truly unique Colt Aircrewman revolver!