Removing "Ladysmith" script?

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Parke1

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Hey all,

I recently picked up a S&W model 60-14 for a song at the local Gander Mountain. Used gun, but in BEAUTIFUL shape. It's going to be my new pocket gun. That all being said, that Ladysmith script on the side has to go.

NOTICE: I AM NOT HOMOPHOBIC, or anything like that. I'd leave it alone, but for one little reason; I think the font they used when etching it on there is completely gaudy.

Now, this piece has the bead blasted finish on it. What is the best/easiest way to remove the script from the side without winding up with a highly polished area on a matte finish gun? I've got Flitz and a rag, but I thought I'd poll the audience before I have a go at it.

Thanks for any advice y'all can lend me.
-Parke1
 
I guess i am just not manly enough to worry about " ladysmith" etching on a gun in my pocket , so i have no idea , maby trade it on a non ladysmith model rather than ruin a nice little gun ???
 
It's not a question of "manliness." I'm none too worried about that. If my intentions were to "ruin a nice little gun," I'd simply dremel it off with a grinding wheel. If you took time to read my post, you'd see that this isn't an issue of me being worried about carrying a gun that says "Ladysmith" on it, but instead it's an issue of me being displeased with the aesthetics of the font used for the etching.

Anyone else care to chime in with some advice, rather than criticism?

Thanks,
-Parke1
 
I had to go dig in my wife's purse to remind me exactly what it looks like...
Since the marking is on the side plate you can try to remove it and have it bead blasted to erase the marking and match the rest of the gun. Be careful not to round out the edges too much.
Your other option is to find another side plate from a regular 60 non-LS, fit it and go over the entire gun with a scotchbrite pad to blend in the different finishes. Depending on your skill levels it could turn out really good or...
 
You are going to be hard pressed to get it off without removing a bunch of material from the gun. Those etchings run a few microns below the surface. Polishing the whole gun will make it a bit less pronounced but it it still be easily visible. You might be able to get it engraved over.
 
i have an old calif. dept. of corrections model 64 snubby, stamped C D C seriel#.......

i am tempted to take my dremel to it and see how much i can blend away before it actually starts shaping the frame.
 
You can send the gun back to S&W and have the etching (or whatever it is) removed and the revolver refinished the same bead blasted finish. That's the only way you'll retain that frosted finish. Anything abrasive enough to remove the etching will also remove that finish, one of the most delicate finishes I've ever seen anybody apply to a handgun. If you manage to remove it with flitz or mother's mag wheel polish you will be left with a nice high polish, almost nickel-plated appearance, not the frosted stainless.

I once had the same finish on a 629 Mountain Revolver (the original limited production run). Seemed like you could scratch that finish by looking at it. A few times in and out of a suede lined holster and the gun had developed several shiny places.

There should be more than a few pictures on THR where owners have removed that lettering. Look around for posts by DHart. I don't think he's got a Ladysmith, but he takes awesome pictures and had gussied up lots of sixguns.

Ahh, here's a thread where somebody did just what you seek to do:

www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=134546&highlight=ladysmith+remove
 
...it's an issue of me being displeased with the aesthetics of the font used for the etching.
Click to expand...

I understand. I wouldn't buy a gun with Helvetica anywhere on it. I won't own a Ruger (in part) because of the acre of so-called "safety" warning stamped into the steel.

If it's not worth looking at, it's not worth owning.
 
Someone could make a fortune opening a shop that would remove the complete "instruction manuals" and warnings stamped on the sides of firearms these days.
 
I frankly do not carry what's stamped on a gun. All that matters to me is function. Is is reliable? Is it accurate? Does it conform to my favorite mode of carry (if it's a carry gun). Does it do what I want it to do? If it's got words all over it, so what? I have some ugly guns I like because they work well.

I sorta draw the line at Hi Point, but other than that, ROFLMAO! I own a half dozen Rugers and love 'em.

It's sorta like racing. I show up with my less than esthetically pleasing race bike and Joe Blow shows up with his freshly painted magazine spread quality bike. I kick his butt to the checkered flag. What did that paint job do for him? He shoulda spent the money on riding lessons.

Winning is what matters in both racing and gun fights.
 
I am a Engraver by trade. You will have to grind it out and have it refinished... My suggestion is send it to S&W. Sorry tobreak it to ya :(
 
I have a S&W 65 Lady Smith and I've decided to leave it 'AS IS' for the time being. Nevertheless, I do remember reading on one of the forums (maybe Smith-WessonForum) about someone who did a good job of removing the engraving/etching. He first removed the grips and cylinder/crane assembly (put the sideplate screw back in). He purchased different grades of 3M Scotchbrite pads designed for body work purchased at an automotive store. Beginning with the coarse pad and ending with the very fine pad, he rubbed the entire gun in one direction for ~2 hours or so while watching TV and removed all visible traces of the script.

My 65 -
SW65LS-Pics002.jpg
 
I was able to remove the Billboard off of my SW1911 using something called a Miracle Cloth. They can be bought on ebay for a few bucks.

It does not remove the engraving, it just removes the black "ink". The billboard can still be seen if you look at it in the right light (kinda like ghost flames). It does polish the frosted metal finish but the results are nice IMHO.

attachment.php


http://cgi.ebay.com/MIRACLE-ALL-PUR...ryZ22700QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
Most men like to name their toys after women...boats are a prime example...so call your new gun "Betty" and leave it at that...;) .
 
I have a ladys special as well a model 36 3 inch. ON that one i just used some aircraft striper to remove the ink/paint that filled in the letters and made them much less noticable.


I Also saw one at a gun show where the "lady smith" had been finely removed and a small box created into which he had engraved "Chiefs special". Looked nice
 
Standing Wolf, I know what you're thinking, sorry though, Not a fancy design gun engraver. I do Namebadges and plaques. The engraving on the lettering of the new S&W's is laser engraving, which I am familiar with. But if namebadges bust yer bubble, then see
http://www.fraternalsupply.com
 
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