Shooting Collectable revolvers

[Driftwood Johnson]

How about low velocity LRs for the Ladysmiths? They are loaded pretty weak

Although 22 Long Rifle cartridges will chamber in a Ladysmith, they were specifically designed for 22 Long ammunition, not 22 Long Rifle.

There really is no point to me trying to shoot my Ladysmths, I bought them just to collect. I stopped once I had an example of all three models.

Although they were manufactured for almost 20 years, from 1902 until 1921, they really are much too small to shoot practically.










In this photo, a K-22 is at the top, an I frame 22 'Bekeart' is in the middle, and a Ladysmith is at the bottom. Notice how gigantic the K-22 looks in comparison to the Ladysmith.






Somebody made a copy of the Ladysmith some years ago, I don't recall who off the top of my head. They actually were chambered for 22 Long Rifle. If I really wanted to shoot a 'Ladysmith' I would buy one of those, but they have gotten a bad rap over the years.

Here is a fun fact: Legend has it that when stern old New Englander Daniel Wesson found out that Ladysmiths were the 'gun of choice' of ladies of the night, he ordered production of the tiny M frame revolvers to cease. An interesting myth, but Daniel died in 1906 and Ladysmiths continued to be made until 1921.

Another fun fact: the original Ladysmiths have nothing what so ever to do with the J frame Lady Smiths that S&W made years later. Kind of like the M&P pistols they are producing today that have nothing to do with the original Military and Police revolvers. Notice the different spelling of Ladysmith and Lady Smith.

Not a Lady Smith, but here is a comparison in size between a J frame Model 36 and a real Ladysmitrh.

 

[Agsalaska]

What follows is just my opinion, and it doesn't have to be yours or anyone else's. I'm very much into collecting a wide variety of unfired/LNIB pistols and revolvers and keeping them in the condition in which I found them, which most people don't understand. So I understand where you're coming from to a significant extent. From S&Ws to Colts to Korths to Manurhins, I have loads of collectible wheelguns that I acquired in LNIB condition and that will remain that way until I'm gone. Some people can't imagine not shooting those pristine guns -- and I find their thinking every bit as alien as they find mine.

But I also love to shoot fine guns, and I always want to know what it's like to shoot any gun (or family of guns) that I own. That doesn't mean I have to shoot all of them -- that's what "shooter" duplicates are for. I love tracking down the rare, pristine collectibles that I'll never shoot, but I also love hunting for high-condition duplicates that are not in truly collectible condition (some evidence of firing, no box/papers, more common variant, less sought-after year of production, etc.).

You might find it liberating to designate a small number of representative guns that are not in LNIB condition as your zero-remorse shooters -- or to buy a few guns to fit that bill -- and decide that you don't care if they accumulate additional evidence of use. It doesn't sound like we're talking mostly about guns individually worth several thousand dollars or more, so the very worst that happens is that all the fun you have shooting a few designated guns costs you, say, $100 or $200 per gun in resale value. No big loss, and, to my mind, vastly offset by the fun that comes from shooting them without dreading the inevitable wear that they're accumulating. I would shoot the living hell out of that Model 57, for instance. No box/case/papers, no S-series serial number, no regrets.

Just consider dispensing with worrying at all about inevitable signs of use for a small number of guns. Allowing yourself to shoot just a scant few rounds per year out of any gun, worrying all the while that you're adding a little wear with every shot, sounds like a perfect way to not really enjoy shooting.

Anyway, not really answering your specific question here. Just providing one perspective to consider, as someone who shares much of your firearms OCD.

You and I sound a lot alike. And with the exception of a few guns I am going to carefully start shooting the rest of my collection.

I am really not a range rat by any stretch. Too many other hobbies and too many kids. But I do enjoy shooting.

Also, I am just north of you. I shoot out at Webers in Troy on the east side of I35.

 

[tark]

Although 22 Long Rifle cartridges will chamber in a Ladysmith, they were specifically designed for 22 Long ammunition, not 22 Long Rifle.

Driftwood, I really enjoy your posts because I always learn something new. I had no idea Ladysmith's were intended for 22 longs only. A big thank you!