lady smith 22 pistol

kacoghil · #1 10-11-2011, 04:21 PM

Hey there. I was given a lady smith 22 cal 2nd model. Appears to be chrome. SN 8793. Black grips. looks to be in perfect condition.On the side where the cylinder swings out there is no smith and wesson emblem. Any idea why it is not there, any idea of the value?? Thanks

DCWilson · #2 10-11-2011, 04:52 PM

1907-1908. That would be nickel rather than chrome

Can you post photos? The Model M .22s were the smallest hand ejector revolvers S&W ever made. They were fragile and easily damaged, so the ones that remain in good shape, or in your case seem almost new, can be valuable.

Refinished Ladysmiths are known, and a refinished gun is worth less than one in original condition. One of the reasons a company logo is absent would be that it was polished off in a refinish. Or it may have just been a missed marking on that particular run. I have a nickel second model Ladysmith with a small logo on the left side below and ahead of the hammer stud. Look at yours and see if you can spot the ghost of a mark in that location.

If your gun is refinished, the hammer stud on the left side may be polished almost flat to the surface of the frame. On unrefinished or sensitively refinished guns, the hammer stud will be domed up above the surface. Can you still read the patent stamps on top of the barrel and the caliber marking on the side of barrel? If they are blurry or missing, that's another indicator of a refinish.

An original condition Ladysmith second would bring over a grand; a refinished Ladysmith in working condition about half that or maybe a little more if it was a good refinish.

Photos would really help. Can you take some and post them? A lot of us here love these little guns.

And welcome to the forum: should have said that first.

kacoghil · #3 10-12-2011, 09:31 AM

Thanks for the welcome. I hope these pics help..

kacoghil · #4 10-12-2011, 09:39 AM

The hammer stud is rounded and I cant see any marks on the gun that would indicate any sanding or grinding.When the cylinder is opened the inside of the yoke and frame isnt as polished as the outside of the gun. The barrel still has the writing on it. Thanks again for your time and input..

VaRecon · #5 10-12-2011, 10:00 AM

Things that look too good to be true typically are.
I don't see any factory stamps which indicates it could be refinished. Let's see what more experienced members have to say though.

H Richard · #6 10-12-2011, 10:11 AM

I'm saying refinish, as almost all edges appear to be rounded over, not sharp edges, as well as all rollmarks missing. Would like to see top of the barrel to see if those rollmarks are also missing.

DCWilson · #7 10-12-2011, 10:47 AM

i agree that this is a refinished revolver. In addition to the rounded corners already mentioned, check out the miniature gully between the frame and sideplate. That's what you get when the sideplate is removed from the gun for polishing. In the original finish (and a more careful refinish), those pieces would meet perfectly.

Can't be sure from the photos, but the hammer and trigger may have been blued; if original but aged, they should show faded case hardening colors. The ejector rod and cylinder release knobs are suspiciously blue -- replacements or refinish, I would bet.

Somebody put some effort into making this gun look better. I wouldn't be surprised to see a new part or two inside the gun as well.

Although refinished, this gun might still bring $500 or a little more from Ladysmith collectors. Again, that's assuming the action is sound.

One caution: a notorious weak spot of these revolvers is the breech end of the barrel, which could break or crack when uninformed shooters fired long rifle ammo in the guns instead of the lower-powered .22 long for which they were designed.

cgt4570 · #8 10-12-2011, 10:54 AM

I've shot mine with subsonic CB shorts ONLY. Since yours is a refinished gun, if the forcing cone is still intact, you won't hurt it by shooting it with the same.

kacoghil · #9 10-12-2011, 06:03 PM

Thanks guys. The roll marks on top are very clear, the ones on the side of the barrel are harder to read. The serial numbers are very crisp. I understand about the side plate and the edges are very sharp and uniform. I sure appreciate your feedback. This gun came from a friend of the family who has passed, He was very wealthy. I also have a rare Winchester model 42 419 made in 1933 with 2 barrels and matching serial numbers. His gun collection was worth thousands..

kacoghil · #10 10-12-2011, 06:04 PM

Sorry thats a Winchester model 42 410

TMartin · #11 12-31-2011, 12:31 AM

Has anyone seen a 2nd model LadySmith like this? I can't seem to find any info on ones that have been engraved. I am not looking to sell, just wondering about the value. 2nd model ladysmith, Nickle, pearl grips, engraved. Pics are here:
2nd Model LadySmith
Any info would help,
Thanks,
TMartin
[email protected]