Hole In Sight Of Ladysmith 3rd Model With 3" Barrel?

[weaponscollector]

I have heard that these small revolvers were carried by working girls, and that they were often hung from a necklace-size loop of cord or string. I haven't been able to find any contemporary evidence that this is true, but maybe it explains the hole in the sight of this Ladysmith 3rd Model S/N 19581 (with a star).

Has anyone else heard this story or one like it?

 

[Hondo44]

Interesting! That hole in the sight is a new one for me!

I seriously doubt it was used to hang around ones neck with muzzle pointing straight at ones head. The hole should have evidence of wear from anything that it hung from, if it was. The use by "ladies of the night" is myth although no doubt at least one somewhere may have carried one of these.

It's been sent back to the factory for refinish or repair at least once and the date of this return trip will most likely be stamped on the left side of the grip frame under the grip. These often needed barrel replacements because 22 Lr was fired in them which quickly split the barrel throat. The throat on yours is in unusually good looking condition. But they were only designed for old low pressure 22 Long but I would not shoot any modern 22 ammo threw it other than CB caps.

 

[mjr]

I've seen photos of late 19thC Colt single actions with similar holes drilled in the front sight. Supposedly the hole was for a small loop of string, so that the gun could be hung--possibly already cocked--from a hook under the counter of a store or a bar. If this was really done back in the old days, it may have given a slight edge to the person defending his business from an armed robber or other aggressor, but who knows? Maybe some crib girl hung that Ladysmith under her night stand.

 

[Tom K]

Weight reduction.

 

[jebstuart]

Well if you're trying to hold a steady aim on a really windy day.............probably not.

 

[cgt4570]

Possibly for an aftermarket front sight that slipped over the half moon. I've seen them on other pre-war guns.

 

[weaponscollector]

It's been sent back to the factory for refinish or repair at least once and the date of this return trip will most likely be stamped on the left side of the grip frame under the grip. These often needed barrel replacements because 22 Lr was fired in them which quickly split the barrel throat. The throat on yours is in unusually good looking condition. But they were only designed for old low pressure 22 Long but I would not shoot any modern 22 ammo threw it other than CB caps.

Thanks Hondo44. I'll pull the grip off and have a look.

 

[weaponscollector]

I've seen photos of late 19thC Colt single actions with similar holes drilled in the front sight. Supposedly the hole was for a small loop of string, so that the gun could be hung--possibly already cocked--from a hook under the counter of a store or a bar. If this was really done back in the old days, it may have given a slight edge to the person defending his business from an armed robber or other aggressor, but who knows? Maybe some crib girl hung that Ladysmith under her night stand.

Thanks for the additional info. I'd love to find some contemporary stories that support this use.

 

[weaponscollector]

Possibly for an aftermarket front sight that slipped over the half moon. I've seen them on other pre-war guns.

This revolver is so small, and the front sight so large, it is hard for me to picture adding an aftermarket front sight. But anything is possible.

 

[weaponscollector]

It's been sent back to the factory for refinish or repair at least once and the date of this return trip will most likely be stamped on the left side of the grip frame under the grip.

The date code seems to be "12 44".

 

[jebstuart]

After gnawing on this for a while, I have a couple of theories. The hole is positioned perfectly for hanging, but no one would hang it below eye level when in their normal position, assuming no one wants to shoot themself in the head. The hole appears to be sized properly for a small finishing nail. Two lines of thinking therefore follow:

1. A plant Security Office might have fashioned a numbered and shop-made board for checking revolvers in and out on a daily basis. But, the hole and the areas around the hole would show signs of scratching and maybe elongation. So..

2. A banking, ticket, or other type clerk might have it hanging just inside the cage window. What seems more plausible to me is a finishing nail tacted inside mom's closet about six feet up to keep it out of reach of the curtain climbers.

My mom's .22 revolver was always on the top shelf of her closet under a quilt. She was woefully under armed by my father, but I don't think that was a mistake.

 

[weaponscollector]

1. A plant Security Office might have fashioned a numbered a shop-made board for checking revolvers in and out on a daily basis. But, the hole and the areas around the hole would show signs of scratching and maybe elongation. So..

2. A banking, ticket, or other type clerk might have it hanging just inside the cage window. What seems more plausible to me is a finishing nail tacted inside mom's closet about six feet up to keep it out of reach of the curtain climbers.

Interesting ideas jebstuart. I am still hoping someone can come up with a contemporary story.

 

[Hondo44]

It was either to lighten the front heavy barrel, or a very early unsuccessful first attempt at barrel porting to mitigate 'barrel jump' under recoil.

 

[weaponscollector]

It was either to lighten the front heavy barrel, or a very early unsuccessful first attempt at barrel porting to mitigate 'barrel jump' under recoil.

The whole revolver weighs only 10 1/8 oz.

 

[jebstuart]

It was either to lighten the front heavy barrel, or a very early unsuccessful first attempt at barrel porting to mitigate 'barrel jump' under recoil.

If this could somehow be documented as the first barrel porting prototype, this could command some serious ching! Heck, after that 455 purchase, I might make a five digit offer myself!
Jeb

 

[weaponscollector]

If this could somehow be documented as the first barrel porting prototype, this could command some serious ching! Heck, after that 455 purchase, I might make a five digit offer myself!
Jeb

Yea, yea

 

[foxtail]

My guess it that the hole was used to mount the pistol to a wall as a decoration.

 

[weaponscollector]

This is just a test of sharing a larger image hosted from my server.

 

[Buford57]

My guess it that the hole was used to mount the pistol to a wall as a decoration.

+1 or in a shadow box.

The soiled dove tale sounds good...until you think about it. Then again, there's booming market in Kydex holsters for min-revolvers that carry muzzle up.

 

[gmborkovic]

To all you western movie fans out there, give my old memory a kick start.
I can see a cowboy in a bunk and there is a Lightning Colt on a raw hide thong thru the front sight hanging from the wooden post. Was it a Clint movie? No, or was it The Wild Bunch with Wm. Holden?