I have a 22 purl handled Smith and Wesson revolver. It's serial number is 13855. On the top of the barrel it says:

Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass USA
PAT'D Oct 24, 1899,Aug 14, 1900,Oct 8,1901.

It's a small little thing. Belonged to a grandmother in North Carolina. Any hints as to what it is and it's approximate date?

Thanks!

Welcome! Is the left barrel stamped ".22 S & W CTG", and does the cylinder hold 7 rounds?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

What is purl?

Got pictures?? We like pictures!

This pretty much has to be a .22 Ladysmith, and the serial number indicates it would be a Second Model. It would date to about 1907/08. Murphydog's questions show that he was heading in this direction too.

If in good condition, this is potentially a valuable gun. The .22 Ladysmiths were fragile little revolvers, and a lot of them were damaged or destroyed when people shot .22 Long Rifle ammo in them instead of the .22 Long (or .22 Short) for which they were designed.

Can you post pics?

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David Wilson

Thanks guys!

Yes the left barrel is stamped 22 S & W CTG. It's in great shape. Maybe fired once or twice, but the woman that owned it was living with two little kids and her husband died. It was still under her pillow (and loaded!) when she died at age 85.

Sorry....it's pearl! Not purl. I'm a knitter and obviously purl comes to my mind first!!!!

I tried attaching photos......did I do it?

sw1.JPG

sw2.JPG

And yes, it holds 7 rounds

David has the ID correct. If you look at the end of the barrel close to the cylinder (you can see this best by swinging the cylinder out - pull on the small knob at the forward end of the ejector rod under the barrel, then push the cylinder gently to the left), is this area damaged or cracked?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

That looks like a nice one, even with non-S&W grips. If not refinished you are looking at a high-dollar gun.

sw3.JPG

It is not cracked. There is a number on the casting below the barrel when you open the cylinder. It looks like 7994 on both parts of the hinge. The numbers are stylized and kind of fancy, on the body side of the hinge and the cylinder side of the hinge. Not sure it's a 7though. It is clean. No breaks. No wear.
The grips are not standard?

is this better?

sw4.jpg

The 7994 is called an assembly number; S & W revolvers of this era had their metal parts fitted prior to finishing and other activities, and this way the parts came back together at the end of the production process.

The photos seem to indicate it still has its original finish (with a few scrapes or defects in the nickel, not unusual for a 100+ year old gun). The original stocks may have been wood, hard rubber or these mother of pearls; if you are interested, a factory historical letter will be able to tell you this.

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I agree with all the info supplied above except the pearl grips would have had S&W gold meddalions if factory original according to sources.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

It is really cute. The handles are not cracked. I am skeptical about it being fired. I am sending a request to Smith & Wesson to get it's history.

How can you tell the model and the issue? What does that mean?

Until I can figure out what to do with it, should I insure it?

It's a most wonderful family heirloom in extraordinary condition. And you must enjoy shooting it at least once!

How can we tell? We cheat! Seriously we refer to and memorize published sources on the subject. The serial number tells the 'issue' serial number range that it falls within. Different 'issues' exhibit evolutionary development changes observable by certain parts and design changes on any particular firearm.

Again these changes are documented based on collector observations over many years, factory documents and historical leters like you will recieve. It's a bit of a science but much easier than the old days before John Kerry invented the internet :') and we had this awesome forum!

An appropriate insurance value would be in the $2500-3000 range.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I have learned a lot today!!! Thanks guys! It's a cutie and I'm not sure what to do with it. I will not fire it. She's gone this long without having to be fired, a little longer will be fine!

If you do shoot it, remember what David Wilson said: DO NOT shoot 22 long rifle cartridges in it: you will damage the back of the barrel. It was made for the 22 long, which is very hard to find, but you can also shoot 22 shorts in it. Better not try the high velocity types.

Thanks for the info, but don't worry, I am not going to shoot this gun. We want to possibly sell it so we do not plan on doing any shooting with it.

That's the next step. Where do we look for auctions, buyers, or both? We are in no rush at all. So we just need a direction to go in.

Thanks again!

You could take it for an insurance appraisal to a firearms dealer who specializes in antique firearms. If you are in MA, S & Ws home state, one should be easy to find. The factory letter will not provide this information.

As far as where to sell it should you decide to do so, the Wanted to Sell/Trade section here is a good place to find good homes for guns.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I knew that.....just pulling your chain.

That is one real fine looking revolver.......

Good luck in your quest for information and a buyer.