Page 396 - 83-BOOK1

LOT 1520
Documented, Rare, and Highly Desirable U.S.A.F. Smith & Wesson “Baby Aircrewman” Double Action Revolver -
Serial no. A.F.No.2364, 38 special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/
black anodized finish, walnut grips. This is a 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 “6” 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 correct style replacement right grip is numbered “2202”. 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 (“738”).The smooth back strap is marked “PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE.” The hammer and trigger
are casehardened. The “A.F.No.2364” serial number is marked on the butt. The included copy of the factory letter states that the revolver was shipped on 27
October 1952 to the United States Air Force Transportations Officer in Pensacola, Florida as well as confirming the current configuration.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original black anodized finish and 70% plus of the original blue finish with the balance mostly a smooth grey-brown patina, primarily on the barrel and front of the crane, and some light edge wear on the remainder. The replacement grips are also very fine with a few
scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 1521
Historic World War II U.S. Army Air Forces Pilot Archive Including a Third Reich Tapestry - Offered here are the World War II personal effects belonging to United States Army Air Forces pilot William R. Verheyen. The standout piece to this archive is a 50 1⁄2 x 64 inch tapestry said to have been removed from the New Reich Chancellery, the headquarters of the Third Reich in Berlin, by Verheyen. Verheyen’s included personnel flight log book, which traces his flight hours back to his training days in September 1942 and ends in September 1945, clearly has an entry showing him in Berlin from July 15-26, 1945. The accompanying Soviet issued pass that allowed Verheyen passage in and out of the Soviet occupied sector of Berlin is dated July 23, 1945. Without a doubt Verheyen was in Berlin in the weeks after the fall of the Third Reich, giving him the opportunity to acquire this tapestry from the Reich Chancellery, which was located in the Soviet occupied sector of Berlin. His remarks in the flight log suggest that these July 1945 flights carried the U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Secret Service agents. Most of Verheyen’s World War II service was in the China-India-Burma Theater and he made it to Europe at the end of the war. The tapestry features a black swastika in
a white circular panel surrounded by embroidered gold oak leaf, rectangular border of black, white and gold, fringe trim at the bottom, and hemmed at the top for a not included wall hanging rod. Other items owned by Verheyen include the following: Painted leather 1328th Army Air Force Base Unit (India China Division, ATC) patch, painted leather Transport Command patch, pin back Transport Command insignia, two CBI patches (one leather and one velvet/bullion), two USAAF patches (one leather and one velvet/bullion), two blood chits (one silk and one leather), painted leather 2nd lieutenant rank, May 16, 1945 dated 503rd Army Air Force Base Unit operations orders listing Verheyen as a 1st lieutenant copilot aboard a Douglas C-54 Skymaster being ferried from New Cattle, Delaware to Washington, D.C., November 26, 1944 dated Transport Command memorandum providing a checklist to aircrews preparing to be deployed overseas, Red Cross map of Paris, France, photo believed to be Verheyen and
his wife, various handwritten flight hour calculations. William Verheyen (1923-2018) was born in Ohio, served as a pilot with the USAAF during World War II and retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of major after 24 years.
CONDITION: The tapestry is very fine showing minimal wear and tight stitching overall. All other artifacts are fine or better. A notable USAF pilot’s archive that will make great addition to your WWII collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,500
Collector’s Fact
Smith & Wesson manufactured approximately 605 J-frame Aircrewmen
revolvers, and according to authors Supica and Nahas, fewer than 15 are believed to still exist.
394