There's nothing like a great lady...

I've been slow to share this news with you all. I got these about 2 weeks ago and here they are. I've wanted a M frame (7 shot 22 long hand ejector) for a long time. A good friend of mine from another forum set me a link of a dealer in his area who has a website. Most of the guns the guy had were expensive, but as the old saying goes, the military guy generally doesn't care about civilian guns and the civilian guy doesn't care about the military guns. I saw the ladysmith with the letter, and was struck. Then I called him, and he said he had another, and so I got a package deal. I didn't steal these, but I got them for a very fair price. They both are original nickel and are both 2nd models with 3.5 in barrels. Only 26k were made from 1902 thru 1921 of the 3 types / models with 9374 being made of the 2nd model. The 1st model is differentiated by the the cylinder release being a hemisphere on the left side of the frame, with both the second and third models having it underneath the barrel, in front of the lug. The 3rd model is the only one with a square butt. Its interesting to note that they actually made a target variation of the third model, which would be a dream find.

The pearl gripped revolver may not be wearing its original grips and it has some wear, but just to find one of these is hard enough, let alone two. Despite the condition, I am happy to have found them. The dealer said an old lady had both of them on consignment with him. Both of them have good forcing cones, which is important to check because many people put modern ammo in these, which of course they were not designed for. The result was damaged forcing cones. The black gripped gun came with a factory letter which was of importance since she wan't giving these away. I could have bought other guns with the money, but very few as special.

I know some of you guys have some real great ones, feel free to post them, I'd like to see em.

Enjoy





Ever since I started S&W collecting, I wanted to have all of the hand ejector frame sizes. With these 2 M frames, I now do. Clockwise from upper left, M frame 2nd model ladysmith, 586 no dash, model 44 magnum aka pre model 29 4 screw, 460 S&W magnum XVR, 1905 4th series M&P 38 special, 34-1 22/32 kit gun, 22/32 hand ejector aka "bekeart model" with numbered grips (only first 3000 had numbered grips).

The C frame is going to take a little looking. Probably a little money, too.

Fantastic!

That last one is a really neat picture...if I had that bunch I'd set 'em out on the coffee table once a week or so and just look at 'em to enjoy the history they represent!

So I guess now you can stop looking for more?

3rd model 2 1/4" w/big brother:

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Jim
S&WCA #819

His and hers 22's ?. Frank

Hi Jim,

No offense intended hijacking Goring S&W's Thread, but I'm curious to hear if you've ever checked with Roy to see if your Little 2" Ladysmith is "Correct"?? If "Correct", it's a Pretty Scarce Variation of this Little Lady!! Probably more-so than even a 6" Target!! By the way, it looks to be more like 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" if my calculations are correct!! There are a few known to have been produced in this Barrel Length, but not many!! Like I said, just curious!!

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Masterpiece

A little something to show just how "lady-like" these little beauties actually are.





f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Some nice specimens in the original post and the subsequent posts as well. Thumbs way up for these fine little gems.

In the last few months I have picked up a couple of rescue candidates and a parts gun. I hope to work on the ones that can be fixed in the next month or two, and once I have them back in operation I will post pics, and maybe even a range report. I bought some low-pressure primer-only .22 cartridges to test them out.

Not long ago I also picked up this kind of middling-condition First Model -- not damaged, not refinished, sound action, but only a little of the original finish left. I think the First Models are my favorites.






Here's a Second Model with a comparison prop you can probably all recognize. This gun has been refinished and seems to be covered with some kind of lacquer or polymer coat that I would like to remove. Ideas gratefully accepted. Is it safe just to go after it with acetone?




My best-looking Ladysmith is another refinished Second Model with a low serial number.




One of the guns I will be repairing is a six-inch Third Model with adjustable sights. I will definitely post pics when it is ready to go.

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David Wilson

David,

I would not hesitate to go after it with acetone. I've not had any bad experiences with it and bluing. I always try it on a hidden area 1st when using it on new applications.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Masterpiece, I'm glad you asked. I misrepresented the barrel, you're correct it's not 2" it's 2 1/4", original and not shortened or modified. The 500 is mine and the LS is my son's.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Jim,

Thanks!! I have a couple 6" Targets, but I've never been lucky enough to run across a "Correct" Short Barrel Ladysmith like your son's!! Very Scarce if Original!! Hope his plans are to hold onto it!!

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Masterpiece

Congratulations on the "ladies". I'd give a LOT to have a
22lr in a modern frame that size. The only thing close that I've
seen is the NAA Ranger, and it's a break-top. TACC1

The Incredible Shrinking 1917!!! (also in nickel!)





THE AMAZING COLOSSAL LADYSMITH!!!

TACC1
Rossi made a Princess a few years back thats a 95% copy of the Ladysmith (hammer is not quite right). The SA and DA triggers are certainly not up to Smith standards, but they are still available on the auction sites in the $250 range.