Lady Smith

english · #1 08-26-2017, 07:44 PM

I saw a beautiful blued "little" Lady Smith 22 cal(not redone) revolver at my friends gun show table. It's mint with wooden grips and no cracks which he said is is common fault with those pistols. He has it listed for 1200 but would let me have it for 900. does that sound like a fair price and do people collect them? I'd be afraid to shoot it. I don't collect revolvers but it drew my attention!
The pistol is the third series and with the original finish (the grips are brown and perfect). I'm guessing the barrel is 4 inches. It caught my attention right away! Is there a market with collectors for these Lady Smiths?
Thanks,
Joe

DCWilson · #2 08-26-2017, 08:07 PM

There are three different Ladysmith models. Any one of them in top condition should be worth at least $900. If the gun you are looking at appears to be "mint" because it has been refinished, its value would be reduced. Some refinished models might still be worth nearly a thousand dollars, but it would be helpful to know which model it is and how long a barrel it has.

The first two models have a round butt configuration. The third model has a square butt. Of the round butt guns, the first model has a domed cylinder release on the left side. The second model (like the third) releases the cylinder by pulling on the front of the ejector rod to disengage the rear lock to the frame.

If it has a six inch barrel and adjustable sights, it is a ladysmith target and easily worth the asking price.

Just to make sure you understand the cracks, the real damage to these guns was done by shooting long rifle ammo in them, because that is too hot a load and the forcing cones can be cracked or even have chunks completely blown out of them. They are safe to shoot if you limit yourself to CB caps or similar low-pressure, low-speed "parlor" rounds.

If you decide to acquire it, please come back here and post pics.

cgt4570 · #3 08-26-2017, 08:16 PM

I have a couple or 3 and yes, they're fun to shoot with subsonic CB caps.

DWalt · #4 08-26-2017, 08:30 PM

They would probably be OK with standard velocity .22 Shorts also. With a cracked or blown forcing cone, they are worth whatever you might pay for a wall hanger. They have a reputation of being essentially unfixable (at least today) if something inside breaks, so they are best left unfired.

flagman1776 · #5 08-26-2017, 08:57 PM

Here are pics of my Ladysmith second change. It's a fun plinker with standard velocity shorts or CB caps. The cyliner is drilled straight through & will chamber 22 LongRifle but as have been said it's too high pressure. The forcing cone is fragile. The correct caliber is the obsolete 22 S&W...

opoefc · #6 08-27-2017, 12:56 AM

Joe, You say 'it's mint..." Mint what? Blue , nickel, gold plated, etc ? I would place a mint blue gun at least 20% more valuable than a similar nickel gun, when it comes to Ladysmiths and a mint blue gun is much harder to find. Ed.

murphydog · #7 08-27-2017, 08:09 AM

As stated above, $900 for a pristine 'original' .22 Hand Ejector would be a great price, but not so much for a refinished gun. Photos would help here.

The .22 S & W is the same as .22 Long, but as noted above these should be fired sparingly if at all, and only with very low pressure ammo (not standard .22 Long, if you can even find it). Good luck in your decision.

Waveski · #8 08-27-2017, 08:24 AM

Pictures , pictures , pictures.

DWalt · #9 08-27-2017, 10:49 AM

These were all made in the smokeless powder era, and were intended for use with smokeless powder cartridges. However, in the 1930s, production of the "high velocity" .22 RF ammunition began, and therein lies the problem, as higher velocity means higher pressure. Additionally, the .22 Long Rifle used a heavy 40 grain bullet, while the .22 Short and .22 Long used the lighter 29 grain bullet. With such a frail gun, disastrous results from firing high velocity .22 Long Rifle cartridges in them is inevitable.

Wiregrassguy · #10 08-27-2017, 10:55 AM

Joe says it has wooden grips. So, it has to be a 3rd Model, I believe. Anyway, here is my 1st Model, just for grins.

Waveski · #11 08-27-2017, 04:44 PM

The photos in #5 and #10 are interesting --- In #5 there is no cylinder release latch on the frame ; apparently the cylinder is released via the knob on the lug. I did not know that till now. In #10 there is a cylinder latch which is very distinctive - round. That's new to me too.

Cool stuff. I am glad that I buffed and polished the laser etched "Lady Smith" from my latter day ss incarnation - the revolvers shown are REAL Lady Smiths in my estimation.