A few months back I was given an opportunity on a 60-3 Lady Smith , 3" barrel. The owner , a person quite familiar to me , bought it new and never really shot the gun. It literally rested in a nightstand for years. The price was very good - $300.

I considered the pros : Good price , I am a J frame fan , 3" barrel was intriguing, chambered in .38 special. All good things.
Cons : Ugly but very functional Pachmayr finger grooved grips , satin bead blasted finish (not to my personal taste) , Lady Smith laser etching.

I was able to range test --- Excellent shooter! The 3" barrel makes a huge difference vs 1 7/8". Done deal.

After carrying for 2 months I decided that I wanted to lose the Lady Smith logo. I know that there are those who believe that leaving original is an imperative , but I decided that the 60 is not collectable , I paid little for it , and don't plan to sell it anyway as it is now my favorite carry. Ford's was willing to polish the stainless for $250 , and I considered that. I am sure that they would have done a great job. But , I determined that a winter project was in order. I went at it with cloth dremel wheels , Flitz , and lots of time. I left the barrel flutes and underside surfaces as is for contrast. (and convenience) I found it difficult to achieve the same finish in all areas ; kept at it until I said "Enough already!". The laser etching is barely visible to the eye, although the camera picks it up ; I stopped buffing that area for fear of creating an area of high gloss which I could not match elsewhere. I kind of like the ghost-like remnant of "Lady Smith" ; reminds me of the origin of my revolver.

Take in the images of my re-gripped former Lady Smith. Opinions are welcome.

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Nice revolver but I would have left it original.

60's not collectible? That I don't agree with..but I'd have washed it just like you did..and,it looks great!! It's still a "collectible" in my eyes.. The model 60 was the first SS revolver available from S&W and demand is still strong.

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My Daddy was a pistol..

That was a collectable M-60 as all M-60s are. It does look good, but it's still a Lady Smith.

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Support your Police, & NRA

The Lady Smith has been around a long time , in various forms. Were all 60-3's Lady Smiths?

CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE, Waveski ! ! !

I THINK THAT IT LOOKS GREAT. COLLECTIBLE OR NOT, YOU HAVE NOT DESTROYED A RARE GUN. I WOULD BE PROUD TO SHOW THAT NOW, AT THE RANGE, WITHOUT THE "LADY SMITH" ENGRAVING. IN STOCK FORM, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WAAAAY TOO GIRLY FOR ME TO EVEN CARRY.......

THE BEST THING ABOUT IT IS THAT YOU HAVE VERY LITTLE MONEY, AND ONLY SOME PATIENCE AND ELBOW GREASE INVESTED. ITS AN EXCELLENT SHOOTER, TO BOOT. ALL OF THIS SHOULD GIVE YOU A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE IN OWNERSHIP.....

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Let's see, a Model 60, no lock, 3", and you had to "consider pro's and con's" @ $300?

I would have had cash in their hand so fast, it would have made their heads spin.

Congrats on a great gun.

No. -3 is the yoke retention engineering change instituted in 1988. The nearest I can figure is that -4, -5, and -6 were special editions and the -7 was a front sight change. I have a 3" 60-3 from the group of 2000 DAO with bobbed hammers made in 1989, product code 102320. It has the finish I've seen described as the "vapor hone" finish, likely bead-blasted like yours.

That's about what I thought. Given the fact that the later day "Lady Smiths" were/are nothing more than a stainless steel Chief's Special (not to belittle that great and venerable design...) with a special laser etching , I have no remorse for erasing what was essentially a marketing feature.

So I now own a nickel Chief , a 60 no dash , and a 3" 60-3. All 3 are chambered in .38 special. Bye bye Lady , nice knowing you.

Good job, Waveski. It looks almost like stainless steel. Oh, wait. It is stainless steel . . .

This isn't something I would do. But you have made it yours - now a unique revolver. And with a day-to-day shooter and carry piece, what it looks like is not relevant. And what it looks like to you is all-important.

Enjoy your customized piece.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

How about "the first production stainless revolver from anyone?" S&W started the craze in 1965. The rest of the world followed.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I would have left it alone because I don't care what anybody thinks. I'd prolly put pink grips on it, too.

To each his own, I guess.

You did a nice job, it looks great.

I use my Ladysmith as my carry gun, but I worry about it destroying my manly image so I carry a big knife.

Dang, a USN folding machete from WWII. My Dad brought one of those back from the south Pacific. Brings back childhood memories. Thanks.

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Retired Dep Sheriff & Armorer