I purchased this Ladysmith a year ago or so and just ran across a good pic I took of it. Except for a slight turn line there is no evidence of it being fired. I think maybe it had been cocked a few times over the years, but never shot. Thought I would share.

Chad Gripp
#2323



Shipped October 2, 1917, and delivered to Cal Hirsch & Sons Merchandising Co., St. Louis, MO. Was shipped with 3 inch barrel, blue finish, and pearl grips.

Dont see many in that shape any more. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice, that's a keeper! Now you have to find the correct box for it! Good luck ! Ed.

Ed, I have a box that's almost as good as the gun, but unfortunately it is for a 2nd model. I'm going to hang onto it for trading stock when the correct box turns up.

Chad

A beauty! I love the .22 Ladysmiths. I'd love to find one that close to unfired.

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David Wilson

Wow just awesome! Mine is below. I also love these though my grail would be the 6 inch target version. Pictured below but not mine....I think it was from this forum from a member trying to purchase this gun. I sure would love to see what that little rear adjustable sight looks like in person.
Matt

That is one beauty of a ladysmith! HOLY MOLY!!!!!

Chad:

Beautiful LS. I'm still looking for a pristine example to add to my collection of pre-war 22's.

Thanks for sharing,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

good grief! that is a nice one! about as nice as i have ever seen! thanks for the pic!

Thanks for the compliments, all. The M frames are unique little guns. A tiny little piece of craftmanship for sure.

Chad Gripp

That has to bee one of the nicest Lady smith's Ive ever seen. Great Pic. thanx for sharing.

I've been a S&W enthusiast for forty years and that is the finest Ladysmith I've ever seen. I am pea-green with envy!

Hi,
Iam new to the forum. Has anyone seen a 2nd model LadySmith like this?
2nd Model LadySmith

Yep, saw abut two dozen of them this weekend at the Antique arms show in Vegas. Many engraved and lots of gold inlay, etc... An older women, member of the SWCA had the best collection of Ladysmiths I have ever seen, it was truly stunning!

Same here! I also saw at least one Target version, which I did a double-take on...they are rather surreal if one is not used to seeing them.

Saw several sets of various orphan Stocks also, for the Ladysmiths...

TMartin tried to get some feedback on the engraving of his Ladysmith a few weeks ago, but there were no responses. Can anyone tell him if that is one of the grades of factory engraving on his gun, or if it is aftermarket?

I'll drag his pics out here so you don't have to follow the link.

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David Wilson

I have a ladysmith I just pulled out of gun safe that I have not really loked at since I inherited it. Serial # 49X under barrel, on cylinder, and on butt of pistol. 610 stamped on inside of frame. Looks fairly nice, but not nearly as nice of some of the posted pics, all black. Last Patent Oct 8, 1901. Any idea the year of its manufacture. Would this be a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd model? Any initial help would be great. I'll send for a s&w letter as well. Thanks all. I'll post a few pics soon.

hopefully this works https://picasaweb.google.com/1088650...eat=directlink

Wyaldbill, welcome to the forum. Let me pull that photo into this thread so viewers don't have to click a link to see it.



That is a First Model Ladysmith, and it was probably shipped in 1902 or 1903. The standard sources report that only 4575 units of this model were produced between 1902 and 1906. Your serial number is 49x; the number 610 is just a process control number and has no meaning once the gun is past final assembly.

If you store the gun in the holster, I would encourage you not to. Leather processing chemicals can have adverse effects on steel. The finish on your Ladysmith is a little rough from age and handling, but there is no reason to challenge it any further. The next time you give the gun a good cleaning and surface oiling, put it in a silicone impregnated gunsock or wrap it in a silicone cloth, both available at gun stores. You can store it with the holster, but not in it.

The old Ladysmiths can be shot, but NEVER shoot .22 Long Rifle in them. That's too much pressure and can crack or even blow chunks out of the forcing cone at the breech end of the barrel. It is probably wise to limit yourself to .22 CB caps if you want to shoot the gun at all.

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David Wilson

Thanks very much for the info. It has always been stored in the holster so I'll store as you suggest. One other question. on the back ridge of the grip, on the frame, is engraved "E.M.F. N.R.F.A. /04" was NRFA a predecessor to the NRA? or any ideas on what the acronyms are? My searches could not find much. Once it is cleaned up I'll post a few more pics. Cheers and thanks again.

Is the F clearly marked, or could it be a P with the right edge worn off? NRPA might be the N-something Rifle and Pistol Association. There were many state and local groups with such names.

I take E.M.F. to be the owner's initials.

It might be worth $50 to get a company letter on that gun and see where it originally shipped. Locale could give you a hint to the organization's identity.

Do we know if this revolver lived its life in the United States, or could it have gone first to Canada or some other Commonwealth country?

I love these tiny revolvers. I am picking up two more later today, one of them a first model like yours but numbered 111x.

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David Wilson

I'm new in the forum, relatively new to the gun hobby and have gotten hooked on S&W revolvers, particularly the Ladysmiths A revolver like yours must be the find of a lifetime Thanks for the look. MikeD

Chad, your post on the Triple Lock converted to .22LR prompted me to take a look at your other posts. You MUST do a full-blow photo set on this little gem. It is beeyootiful.

I have a LS second change, 3" beautiful nickel, all matching... SN121XX folllowed me home.

All I know is someone received a magnificent Christmas present in 1906.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244