Lady (of the evening) Smith with Accessories

[quinn]

Thought I might post this in advance of the SWCA Symposium in Baton Rouge, this year's theme being "Ladies & Gamblers".

Offered here is my interpretation of a working Lady Smith with accessories. The pearl handled 32 Safety Hammerless shipped in September, 1902. The iron knuckles reportedly came from a brothel near the Ft. Worth stock yards and dates from the turn of the century. This design is known as the "ladies of the night knuckle duster" among collectors. The "Blue Book Visitor's Guide 1911-12" edition is an original guide to the bars and red light districts of San Antonio. Interestingly, the guide catalogs ladies into A, B, & C classes. I can't help but wonder who did the grading.

I apologize in advance if I have offended anyone.

 

[shouldazagged]

Early quality control.

 

[MikFinkel]

Reminds me of the Model 3 Schofield.

 

[quinn]

I received a PM this evening providing additional information regarding the "iron knuckles" that I show in my post. I have a small collection of knuckles and was apparently misinformed about these. It appears that fisticuffs was not the original intent. I appreciate Mike calling this to my attention and did not want to mislead others on this forum. I did find a couple of references to similar iron rings as "knuckles" so I wonder if they might have been repurposed at times in dealing with a bunch of drunken cowboys just arriving in San Antonio or Ft. Worth after a long cattle drive. Anyway, here's the info Mike provided me:

"The folks that sell those "knuckles" have found a 'creative' way to list them. Unfortunately they are not knuckles but rather part of the harness set-up on a 6-horse wagon. The large hole goes on the wood (center shaft) that pulls the wagon; horses are attached to the shaft and pull the wagon. The reins are fed through the loops to keep each pair (one pair per horse) from becoming tangled together. I'm sure they came from the Ft. Worth stockyard area but they are not knuckles. I don't wish to diminish your neat display but authentic iron knuckles are out there and would be period correct for your display. They should be iron with four finger holes and probably so smallish that you can't get your fingers through the finger-holes or small enough that they will be uncomfortable in your hand. I have been collecting knuckles for years and probably have 50 sets. They range from Civil War era iron through the brass era to the more modern (1930's) aluminum type. You have a neat display and most folks won't know that they really aren't knuckles. Mike
__________________
Mike Maher #283"

 

[6string]

I really like your composition in the photographs. Great theme! I wonder if the SWCA, given the theme and locale, will be planning a field trip to New Orleans, maybe to do some more research!
Incidentally, a nice addition to your collection might be some early brothel tokens. There are many listed on eBay. Maybe you could find a few from San Antonio?

 

[glowe]

Glad you posted that reply. I wondered about the limited market for an eight fingered knuckle duster. That would be an unusual lady of the night, but may have been very good at her job.

 

[quinn]

Gary, actually, they work pretty well as improvised 'knucks'. Also thought I'd point out something interesting: what do you put in the centerfold of a 1911 era brothel guide?

Centerfold of Guide to Brothels:

 

[DWalt]

"Incidentally, a nice addition to your collection might be some early brothel tokens. There are many listed on eBay. "
Unfortunately, most of those seen advertised on eBay are modern reproductions, often artfully aged. There is no easy way to distinguish between genuine and fake tokens, although I would expect that an expert collector of such items would be able to identify fake tokens most of the time.

 

[opoefc]

Mike beat me to it, those are not "knuckles." And regardless of what you may hear from Don Mundell, I did not do the grading for the ladies of the evening's directory! ( It was hard enough coming up with the standards and qualifications !) Ed.

 

[jimmyj]

I was unaware that "Ladies Of The Evening" used brass knuckles. My information comes from watching western moves. I was aware that "Soiled Doves" used daggers and derringers, but not knuckles.
Miss Kitty with brass knuckles ????

 

[Ranger514]

"Women have the ultimate weapon, and they sit on it." --My Father

 

[smithguy66]

I love a pretty woman that can take care of herself and is prepared to do so. : )

 

[mmaher94087]

For the "Ladies", I have a dainty set of 'Dusters' made of Sterling Silver that would look great on a Deer skin gloved hand.

 

[da gimp]

For the "Ladies", I have a dainty set of 'Dusters' made of Sterling Silver that would look great on a Deer skin gloved hand.

May we have some pix of some or all of your collection, Mike? I'd say that most of the folks here enjoy looking at uncommon collectible weapons..

 

[mmaher94087]

da gimp, I don't have photos but when I do, I'll have to post them in the Lounge as they are not "S&W Antiques".

 

[da gimp]

thanks Mike... expect a private message here if I did everything right....