Summer 2026 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
August 6th, 7th, 8th, & 9th, 2026
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE COLT AIRCREWMAN “M-13” TEST PURPOSE DA REVOLVER
25-4573
Cal. 38 spl.
S# 7216-LW
Bbl. 2″ with serrated ramp front sight
Left side of bbl. is marked “AIRCREWMAN/ .38 SPECIAL CTG.”. 6-shot fluted aluminum in-the-white cyl. Anodized aluminum frame. 2-piece checkered walnut grips that overlap the frame with silver Air Force medallions. Left grip is stamped “35” below the medallion. This test model lacks the standard Air Force markings on the grip strap and butt. Approx. 1,156 were mfg. in 1951-1952 within the S# 2900LW-7775LW. While safe for use with specially designed low pressure cartridges, the cyls. were not safe with pressures generated in standard .38 Special ammunition, ultimately leading to their recall and destruction. Perhaps less than 50 survived and made it into commercial channels.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Colt factory letter dated “February 9, 1967” stating: “Our records indicate that Aircrewman Revolver #7216-LW, was originally shipped from our factory as follows: Calibre .38 Spec./ Barrel length 2″/ Stocks Not Listed/ Sold & Shipped to: Western Cartridge Company, Division of Olin Industries, Inc./ Address East Alton, Ills./ Date of shipment April 23, 1952/ Number of same type guns in this shipment 2/ The Aircrewman models were manufactured for the United States Government, and were not sold commercially. The revolver described above was apparently sent to the Western Cartridge Company for test purposes./ Approximately 1200 Aircrewman models were produced.”.
While the Aircrewman is exceedingly scarce in its own right, apparently only 2 were sent to the Western Cartridge Company for ammunition development and testing.
STATUS: CURIO.
