The S&W Ladysmith (later styled LadySmith) is a series of handguns manufactured by Smith & Wesson starting early in the first decade of the 20th century. Early models, branded were chambered in .22 Long. Starting in the 1980s, under the slightly modified "LadySmith" moniker, S&W manufactured several short-barreled revolvers and semi-automatic pistols.
History
Smith & Wesson has produced firearms over the years in several standard frame sizes. M-frame refers to the small early Ladysmith frame.[1] Later LadySmith small revolvers were made on the somewhat larger J-frame, the standard S&W small-frame revolver.
The tiny M-frame .22" hand-ejector Ladysmith revolver was produced from 1902 through 1921, and later diminutive revolvers were termed LadySmith, capitalizing the "S".[1]
Models
- Smith & Wesson Model 36 LadySmith (AKA: Chief's Special LadySmith): a blued steel, small frame, 5-shot, .38 Special revolver.
- Smith & Wesson Model 60 LadySmith (AKA: Chief's Special LadySmith): a stainless steel, small frame, 5-shot, .38 Special or .357 Magnum, revolver.[2]
- Smith & Wesson Model 65 LadySmith: a stainless steel, medium frame, 6-shot, .357 Magnum revolver.
- Smith & Wesson Model 631 LadySmith: a stainless steel, small frame, 6-shot, .32 H&R Magnum revolver.[note 1]
- Smith & Wesson Model 642 LadySmith: a small frame, 5-shot, .38 Special, hammerless revolver with an aluminum frame and stainless steel cylinder.
Miscellaneous
Notes
- ^ The Model 631 with a total volume of 5457 units, was produced only in 1990 of which only 190 received the "LadySmith" moniker.
References
- ^ a b Boorman, Dean K. (2002). The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms. Globe Pequot Press. pp. 44–46, 87. ISBN 978-1-58574-721-4.
- ^ Hartink, A.E. (2003). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books. pp. 225–230. ISBN 978-0-7858-1871-7.
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