6” target Ladysmith pick-up at OGCA

bracebeemer · #1 05-23-2018, 10:43 AM

I’ve just returned from the May display show at the OGCA in Wilmington Oh. I sold 3 very nice guns and I was able to purchase a revolver I had been chasing for a few years. Many of you know that I have a small collection of scale model or miniature firearms made by the late,great Raymond E.Hutchens. I was finally able to purchase from a friend of mine a S&W 6” target Ladysmith. It’s just a little jewel of a handgun made full size ( because it’s already a miniature) in the basement machine shop of Ray Hutchens. I’ll share some photo’s of Hutch’s incredible talent as a machinist and gunmaker. As a side note , I cannot believe that the shooters of the past could use this 121/2 oz. target gun with any sort of accuracy. It was chambered for .22 long. The first grouping of pictures shows the Ladysmith target in relation to its size against an 8 3/4” Registered Magnum and against a 3” original Ladysmith and finally against a 22-32 heavy frame target. Bill

bracebeemer · #2 05-23-2018, 10:47 AM

Here are some close ups of the gun.

bracebeemer · #3 05-23-2018, 10:50 AM

Here are a few more photos.

RKmesa · #4 05-23-2018, 11:08 AM

What a fun gun!!! Thanks for sharing.

Wiregrassguy · #5 05-23-2018, 11:19 AM

Simply Stunning!

quinn · #6 05-23-2018, 11:46 AM

That one is enoughtto get me to collect lady guns. Wow.

glowe · #7 05-23-2018, 12:42 PM

Most likely, about the most important and significant 2 Ladysmith out there!! There must be a story behind serial number "1", so please share?

bracebeemer · #8 05-23-2018, 01:21 PM

Gary,
Ray Hutchens made two 6" target ladysmiths. He put his serial numbers on them. One was H 1 as you see on the barrel flats and the other was H 2. The first model ladysmith was made in 1902.the second model was made from 1905-1910. the third model was made from 1911-1921. This 6" target is a third model.
Bill

rct269 · #9 05-23-2018, 02:07 PM

There's only one word--------------------WOW!!

Ralph Tremaine

glowe · #10 05-23-2018, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bracebeemer

. . . Many of you know that I have a small collection of scale model or miniature firearms made by the late, great Raymond E. Hutchens. I was finally able to purchase from a friend of mine a S&W 6” target Ladysmith . . . Bill

Now I have another question - it appears to be full size and not a miniature, so was the entire Ladysmith made by Raymond, or did he use S&W parts? I was thinking of serial number "1", but now realize that only the 1st Model LS had number "1" and the 2nd 3rd Models were a continuation of the serial number sequence.

When was it made and has it ever been shot?

bracebeemer · #11 05-23-2018, 05:20 PM

Gary,
Most assuredly he made every part of this gun. He had a very specialized machine shop in his house. he made his own broaches to rifle the barrels. He didn't send any work out to be done. He did his own bluing and case hardening. He did his own stocking and chambering of each tiny caliber and head-stamped and primed each miniature cartridge. As to when he made the gun I can only guess. Probably in the 70's. If it was shot I cant tell. I know they were real guns and shot and functioned like real guns. That's about all I know. Bill

bracebeemer · #12 05-23-2018, 05:24 PM

Gary, here are some pictures from the book “ scale model firearms” by Joseph Kramer.

les.b · #13 05-23-2018, 05:47 PM

Thank you for sharing another of the exquisite treasures from this talented and creative man.

Best Regards, Les

series guy · #14 05-23-2018, 06:10 PM

Makes me want to throw away all my tools so I don't embarrass myself any more. WOW factor off the charts!

glowe · #15 05-23-2018, 06:29 PM

. . . and solid gold medallions!!!

RKmesa · #16 05-23-2018, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bracebeemer

Gary,
Most assuredly he made every part of this gun. He had a very specialized machine shop in his house. he made his own broaches to rifle the barrels. He didn't send any work out to be done. He did his own bluing and case hardening. He did his own stocking and chambering of each tiny caliber and head-stamped and primed each miniature cartridge. As to when he made the gun I can only guess. Probably in the 70's. If it was shot I cant tell. I know they were real guns and shot and functioned like real guns. That's about all I know. Bill

Bill:

What did Mr. Hutchens do for a living? His machine work and attention to detail is almost inhuman and out of this world cool!

bracebeemer · #17 05-23-2018, 07:38 PM

Richard, he was an Indianapolis police officer.

vonn · #18 05-23-2018, 07:47 PM

Thank you. Every time I see one I am amazed.

kobsw · #19 05-23-2018, 09:26 PM

In a class of it's own....

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and important work of pure art.

Regards,

Kobsw

jinx · #20 05-23-2018, 09:54 PM

This is amazing!
How can one man have that much talent?
What a craftsman.