Smith & Wesson Ladysmith .22

This series of revolvers should not be confused with Lady S mith , a modern series of firearms ^[1] . The names in the series of former revolvers of the type “M” ( M-frame ) are usually written with a lowercase letter s . A more modern weapon, starting in 1989, is written with the capital letter S : LadySmith ^[2] . The original name of the Ladysmith models was Model 22 Hand Ejector ^[3] (First, Second, or Third Model, respectively). This series was also called Model M Hand Ejector or Model 22 Perfected . A total of approximately 26,152 revolvers were produced ^[3] .

Legend has it that gun maker was shocked to see Ladysmith becoming a popular weapon for prostitutes . Being a strict puritan , he ordered the completion of revolver production. However, this is unlikely, since he died in 1906, and the release of this weapon continued until 1921, that is, most likely, was completed by his son ^[3] .

1st Model .22 Ladysmith

The first Ladysmith .22 caliber ( Eng .22 Ladysmith First Model ) is a small seven-shot revolver developed in 1902 as a weapon for personal self-defense, namely, as a weapon for women ^{[4] [1]} , since the Ladysmith grip was not large enough for a man to comfortably hold a revolver in his hand and conduct accurate fire. The base model weighed 9.5 ounces, there were also options with different barrel lengths. The extraction of spent cartridges in Ladysmith revolvers (in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd models) was carried out alternately manually ( Hand Ejector ). A distinctive feature of the first model is that it had only one small checkered rear latch ( eng. Release button , see the illustration ) of the drum , which was located on the left side of the frame behind the drum. The handle was made with black rubber pads (they were also made of mother of pearl or ivory), the lower part of the handle was rounded. The total number of issued revolvers of this model was 4575 pieces ^[5] . On the barrel of the weapon was marked, containing the name and address of the company, and the dates of 1899, 1900, 1901. The designer of the first 22 Ladysmith revolvers was Daniel Wesson himself, since the release of the S&W Model No.1 Third Issue Revolver ceased in 1881 ^[5] . It was produced until 1906, until the second model came to replace it. The serial number individually starts from 1 to 4575.

A report was published according to which the serial number “709” of the first Ladysmith model belonged to Adolf Hitler ; of this weapon Geli Raubal committed suicide, and possibly was killed by Hitler himself ^[3] .

2nd Model .22 Ladysmith

The second Ladysmith .22 caliber ( Eng .22 Ladysmith Second Model ) was a seven-shot revolver and was produced from 1906 to 1910. This model, unlike the first, began to be equipped with an additional front latch of the drum, and the button, which was placed on the frame, disappeared ^[5] . To remove the drum from the frame, it was necessary to pull the clamp of the ejector rod located under the barrel ^{[3] [5]} . The nominal barrel length of the second model was 0.975 inches, and models with trunks 3 and 3.5 inches long were also produced. The side parts of the handle were made of hard checkered rubber for the convenience of holding the weapon in the hand. Individual models were made with an ivory or mother of pearl handle on an individual order. The lower part of the handle was rounded. The revolver was made with burnished or nickel-plated finish. On the left side of the frame, as in the first model, is a small S&W trademark. A marking was made on the trunk, which included the name and address of the company, with the patent dates of 1899, 1900 and 1901. A total of 9374 units were produced ^[3] . Serial numbering continued with the release of the latest .22 Ladysmith First Model and ended with the latest .22 Ladysmith Second Model from 4576 to 13950 ^{[3] [5]} .

3rd Model .22 Ladysmith

The third Ladysmith .22 caliber ( Eng .22 Ladysmith Third Model ) was the third generation of revolvers released from 1911 to 1921, and was the last model in the original series. This weapon was distinguished from the rest by the return trigger . In addition, there were revolver modifications with trunks 2.5 and 6 inches long. The target version of the model has a 6-inch barrel with a pressed front sight on a raised ledge and a sight, adjustable in wind and vertical . The handle was made of walnut wood with a gold medallion inlaid with the S&W trademark on the end of the frame, with a burnished or nickel finish. The lower part of the handle became trapezoidal, due to which the weapon was more convenient to hold in the hand. Custom models were produced, with handles made of mother of pearl or ivory. On the side of the barrel was marked .22 S&W CTG , and on the top side the number and address of the company, as well as the dates of patents 1896; 1901, 1903; 1906; and 1909. The side panel of this model is mounted on 4 screws with a trigger guard screw. The corresponding serial numbers are located on the end of the handle, on the drum, behind the ejector, on the front of the bracket and under the barrel. Target models also had a serial number under the casement of the rear sight. This model, like the second, was still equipped with a second drum latch. In total, about 12,203 copies were produced ^[5] . The serial numbering of this model continued after the release of the second Ladysmith model in the range from 13951 to 26154.

• Rare Smith & Wesson Ladysmith .22 Models at the Julia Auction
• Photos of some Smith & Wesson Ladysmith .22 models

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• Dmitry Alekseev. Encyclopedia of weapons / The best world models . - il. - M .: Litres, 2014 .-- S. 300-301. - 504 s. - (Gift editions. Weapons). - ISBN 978-5-699-65930-2 .
• Zhuk A. B. Small arms. Revolvers, pistols, rifles, submachine guns, machine guns. - il. - M .: Military Publishing House, 1992. - S. 54, 133. - 735 p. - ISBN 5-203-01445-0 .