Ladysmith HE, a lady comes home!

[flagman1776]

I spotted this is a shop today. Shop claims to have researched this 1905-1910 era. I handled it... seems as mint as I've ever seen. Let's say 98%. I did not put a light down the bore. Large knob ejector rod. 7 shooter. Original hard rubber grips, also excellant.
Q: I asked the chambering. Clerk was unsure. He chambered a 22LR round in the cylinder just to see. Is that right or is it just straight bored? 22 LR did not protrude from the front of the cylinder.

Q: What is it worth? Seems pretty pricy to me.

Thanks all.
Russell

 

[deadin]

Sounds like a 2nd or 3rd Model Ladysmith. If it's in 98% original condition these little guns can get pretty pricey.
They can get into 4 figures without breaking a sweat.
They are chambered in .22 Long Black Powder and are notorious for being fragile. One of the most common problems seen in them is a cracked forcing cone from someone shooting modern LR's.
Most folks that feel they just have to shoot one use CB Caps.

What were they asking?

 

[opoefc]

It would be a 1st or 2nd model, with a round butt, if it had hard rubber grips. 3rd model was a square butt with wood grips. Check the forcing cone. It sould be intact in a 98% gun. The gun was made for the .22RF Long cartridge, a black powder round, not for the .22RF Long Rifle, which is too powerful. A 98% gun , blue or nickel, can go for well over a $1,000 in an auction. Ed #15

 

[flagman1776]

I've spent the evening reading everything I could find on line which still is not much. From pictures I'm thinking it's a Second model.

It is round butt with S&W impressed in the black rubber.

I could not read the barrel inscription as I didn't have my reading glasses on me. From reading others photos, the inscription should be the obsolete 22 S&W cart. Firing 22LR has apparently damaged many forcing cones... I even found one on-line listing a damaged forcing cone. That will be a point to examine closely.

There is still much I do not know. I am very much out of my league here.
Russ

 

[Marshal Tom]

It sounds like a 2nd model to me from what you have said. I own one that I inherited Twice. It's a long story. The first time I had it, many years ago, it was in excellent condition with the box and an original Chamois pouch. When I got it back the second time, It was not in quite the same condition, still with box but no chamois pouch. It is still 90+ condition. I am thinking $1200ish

Tom

 

[flagman1776]

I'm continuing to dig for information. Is the finish condition just too good to be true? Would refinish be marked under stocks? Are other parts unplated? (I don't remember, I'll have to add to my list of things to look for).
Russ

 

[flagman1776]

Hi All,
I revisited the shop today with the expectation of finding out what is wrong with it & walking away and never looking back.
I did a detailed inspection with my 7X visor. After my initial inspection, I requested the shop owner remove the grips so I could check underneath.
The positive: I can see no sign of refinish. The microscopic 2 line address / patent dates on the barrel top are clean & legible . The bore is in good shape, forcing cone is undamaged, chambers are clean. DA & SA work ok. (No, I didn't dry fire it... caught the hammer nose on a finger) In short, this is a rather minty specimen... I could not find anything wrong with it.
This Ladysmith checks out to be a Second Model 1906-1909. (Third model began production in 1910.) So likely this was 3rd year production.
Frame, cylinder, barrel, grips all number 121XX.
The negative: There is a chip loose from the inside of one grip but the piece is there. There is some cracking of the grips interior. This is normal aging for a gun that is 100 years old... if it is not already. I can hardly hold this as a negative.
I got some accommidation on the pricing as collectables just aren't moving.
I am on the 7 day waiting period required by law to approve my purchase & bring my baby home.

I want to thank everyone again, who advised me of the specifics to check.
Russ

 

[pred]

Well,,,,, We all want to know????
Peter

 

[twaits]

I hope you will post a picture when you get it home. It sounds like a little sweetheart!

 

[flagman1776]

Has anyone lettered a Ladysmith HE?

I'm just wondering if it is worth the cost. I don't think there were any options... No TT, TH. LOL! It is Nickel. The serial number places it near the end of Second Model production ~ 1909. All I could possibly learn for the $50 is where it was shipped initially...

I'll see if I can borrow a camera after she comes home. Of course, a Ladysmith is a she.
Russ

 

[Pontiaker]

Whats the barrel length? If it has not been refinished I would put the value closer to the $2k mark pretty easily.... The third models seem to be a little more popular though. If it was refinished outside of S&W it will have no markings under the grips. My dad and I both have one, they are alot of fun though I would not even shoot CB caps in mine, the perfect round for this gun is the Colibri 350fps rounds they sell almost everywhere now, the yellow box with the rainbow graphics is the 350fps dont get the 500 fps they are about the same as CB rounds. With that said its your gun and you can shoot whatever you want it, just what I do with mine. Would love to see a pic of it, also if you dont mind sharing what you paid for it. I might have a pair of cleaner grips for your gun if your interested too.
Matt

 

[twaits]

I wish S&W would bring this back in their classic series of new production guns only in 22LR. I don't buy new guns anymore but that one I definitely would buy.
Who else out there thinks this would be a good move for S&W?
I bet they would sell a pile of those things.

 

[TACC1]

twaits;
I'd jump on new production model, in a heartbeat!
Anxiously awaiting pics.
TACC1

 

[Tom K]

I wish S&W would bring this back in their classic series of new production guns only in 22LR. I don't buy new guns anymore but that one I definitely would buy.
Who else out there thinks this would be a good move for S&W?
I bet they would sell a pile of those things.

Boy, I dunno about that. MSRP on the current classic models range from $822 for the M36 to $1240 for the M29. Considering that they'd have to tool up completely from scratch for a Ladysmith, the price would be in the high end of this range, and how many people would want to pay that much for what amounts to a novelty item? (Besides some folks here.)

 

[Coug45]

Could ya even fit a lock on the frame?

IIRC Rossi made a 22LR clone (the Princess) back in the late 60's

 

[flagman1776]

Having fulfilled the legal requirements, the little lady came home with me today. She's keeping company in the safe for now... I keep wandering down to take further looks at her. Still amazed at her condition for 100 years old. Frame, cylinder, barrel, grips all matching numbers. For those who asked, she has a 3" barrel... Really a "pencil barrel" LOL!. Thanks to all who've shared information with me.

We're about to get mountains of snow dumped on us so there are things I must do. It sucks to be dependant on others but my MS has gotten to that point.

Sorry, Pictures will have to wait.
Russ

 

[WILDCATT]

lady

good luck flagman,I know what snow is I lived in Medway for 45 ys.my wife is from woonsocket. I had one I got in trinadad.traded work for it.they wern't worth much in those days. a 73 win I got in 45 was $5.

 

[flagman1776]

I had taken the Lady for a stroll about the yard when we were visiously attacked by a pack of rogue soda cans. They never made it past the snow bank when the Lady peppered them with 7 rounds of CCI CB Caps.
Russ

 

[Mitch_D]

rogue soda cans...

Man I hate it when them RSCs do that. I had to blast a whole flock of magpies off the propane tank last week (they were laughing at me). And, I only had six rounds in my Outdoorsman.

I hope you enjoy your centurian piece. Life is too short to do otherwise.

Best Regards & Merry Christmas...

 

[flagman1776]

I've gently & patiently removed the Lady's side plate today for my first time... Besides the frame butt, cylinder, barrel, grips are all matching serial number 121XX. I have found faint & tiny assembly numbers on the yoke cut out of the frame, the yoke itself & the side plate... all matching 6920. I'm liking this more & more.
I still have not wrangled photo equipment... I think this may be original finish. If so I stole it!
Russ