S&W Model 1905 Lady Smith

[Wheeler]

I came across this beauty in a gushop yesterday. Unfortunatly he knew what he had and priced it accordingly.

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt86/Wheeler686/S%20and%20W/112511100825.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt86/Wheeler686/S%20and%20W/112511100810.jpg

[JayinAZ]

Sweet.

[MtGun44]

I wonder why S&W doesn't bring this one out again? With CNC, it would be simple to do.
If you have never handled one, it is hard to believe how small they are.

Bill

[Wheeler]

That's why I placed the ballpoint pen beside it, as a reference to the size. My first thought was "What a great gun to teach my son about handgun safety!" That went right out of my mind when he told me his price...

[MtGun44]

I couldn't read the price. The only one I ever saw before (and handled) was a real
junker, totally loose worn right out, not a hint of finish, but all complete. I'd have been
scared of shooting it, even with .22 LR pressures being very low.

That is a really nice looking one.

Bill

[Wheeler]

He didn't have the price on the tag. Asking was $1250. He's calling it 90%, I think that's a little high myself but as I don't intend to buy it, it's a moot point.

This one was very nice. I didn't drop the hammer or cock it on every cylinder, but from what little bit of examination I gave it (after wiping off the drool), lock up was good, no noticable end-shake, no pitting, the chambers looked clean, the finish was in decent shape given it was 100 years old.

He bought several guns out of an estate sale. I daresay that he didn't pay anywhere near collector's value for the gun. More power to him if he can sell it for his asking price.

[3006guns]

I had a friend who owned on of these, but his still had the snap top purse that came with it......an added accesory to enhance sales to the feminine buyer. I don't remember what material the purse was made of but it was classy and fit the gun very well. It actually looked like a lady's coin purse.....so while she's complying with the robber's demand she's actually "filling her hand"!

In my copy of Roy Jinks' book on S&W history, he dispells the rumor that these little guns were discontinued because the "ladies of the evening" found them handy. It was simply because the gun was so small that the factory workers had a very hard time assembling and tuning them, which affected production.

While CNC might be able to produce something along these lines, can you imagine the hassle of installing that ridiculous "required" safety lock in the frame?

[Bret4207]

I saw one once and handled it. What a great little 22! Smiths answer to the Bearcat. I didn;t even ask the price, I'm sure I would have had the big one right there.

[MtGun44]

Nothing "required" about that lock. It is just something that they put on most of them. They
are building current models without the lock.

Bill

[jameslovesjammie]

That is a 7 shot M frame, right?

[Wheeler]

That's correct, built in 1911 according to the LGS.

[captaint]

OK, I gotta ask - How do we unlock the cylinder, so we can swing her out?? Mike

[Wheeler]

OK, I gotta ask - How do we unlock the cylinder, so we can swing her out?? Mike

It's similar to the H&R revolvers, pull the rod under the barrel towards the muzzle, then push the cylinder out. The original model had a cylinder release latch which was (according to my kitchen table research), peak and problemtic.

Another interesting tidbid, this gun does NOT use the .22LR or short, but the defunct .22 S&W. Although the price killed my interest in this particular model, buying a gun that uses a no-longer produced ammo just won't do. All my guns are shooters.

[MtGun44]

Is there a reason that .22 Shorts or Longs would not work?

Bill

[Wheeler]

I don't have any hard data on that. I think the. 22LR is too hot, believe it or not. I'll research and see what I can find.

[MtGun44]

Pretty academic, really. They are rare as hen's teeth and the few that you find are
darn near too valuable to shoot.

Bill

[NoZombies]

A local shop has one in about 98% condition original nickle. It's nice, but at $1500, there's no chance I'd even consider it.

Neat little guns for sure.