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Reply With Quotereal nice it looks like a mid 80s gun & instead of a satin finish it has the glassbead finish.
Today I brought home a Model 60 (dash 3) Ladysmith in 38 special caliber, and is a pre-lock gun. Serial number BDE974x. I was wondering what "options" make a gun a Ladysmith as opposed to the standard model 60? Also wondering if these guns are safe to shoot "Plus P" ammo? And when it was shipped from the factory? From what I can guess, I am not sure these are the original grips, they have a number stamped in them, but does not match any other number on the gun.
real nice it looks like a mid 80s gun & instead of a satin finish it has the glassbead finish.
The grips are supposed to be a tad different, designed for a woman. I don't think the S&W women's grip engineers had the Russian women's swim team in mind with them. As John said, the finish is what they call "frosted",,, catchy in a marketing way I guess. Maybe if I got in touch with my feminine side I would understand it, but that ain't gonna happen
Down in the 'ammo' section there is a sticky on a +Ps. It is well written and well worth the time it takes to read it.
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That was a very good read in the ammo section regarding +P's. It basically told me what I already suspected, but being new to "J" frames I didn't want to take any chances, my 642 clearly states +P rated and this model 60 although seemingly built way more solid makes no mention of it.
From the internet I found this, and my 60-3 "Ladysmith" apparently did not exsist until 60-6...still confused.
"Here's what the book says;
60(1965); Introduction of the first SS revolver.
1968; Delete the diamond grips
1969; Begin R serial numbers.
60-1 (1972); 3" sq. butt heavy barrel version; limited production of 171 in a serial range of R56962-R57239.
1982; Delet pinned barrel.
1986; Special run of model60 with adj. rear sight.
60-2 (1987); Per Robert Vivas, expert onNYCPD firearms, all aproximately 2500 of this variation were originally DAO with 2" barrels possibly for the NYCPD. It is believed that all were returned to S&W and resold, probably after conversion to traditional SA/DA operation, and at least some rebarreled to 3".
60-3 (1988); New yoke retention system.
60-4 (1990); Limited production of target model with full underlug and new yoke retention system.
60-5 (1990); DA only for NYCPD and new yoke retention system.
60-6 (1989); LadySmith version introduced. Introduction at LDY0045 (possibly starting at LDY0001).
60-7 (1990); New sight width increase to 1/8", heat treated package.
60-8 (1990); New sight width for NYCPD, heat treated package.
1992; Discontinue 3" barrel; continue with 2" only on LS.
1994; Rosewood laminate grips on LadySmith.
1994; Change extractor; introduce Uncle Mike's synthetic grips.
60-9 (1996); Change to J magnum frame and cylinder for all fixed sight 2" frames in 357 Mag; begin shipments in blue plastic case.
I believe that's the most I've evr typed at one time. Please don't ask for the changes all the way to 60-18."
Very interesting. Just talking out loud here but let's see what we can come up with.
The serial number dates it to early 1989.
The -3's were introduced in 1988 and the 60-6Ladysmith in 1989. It could be that this was a left over -3 frame that they used the sideplate from a -6 Ladysmith.
It could be that the sideplate was changed out later, for what ever reason. The bead blast finish could also be later but that is just a WAG.
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yea they didnt make too many of the glassbead finish i beleive.
That is a nice Ladysmith!
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Congrats on a nice Ladysmith. For information about it or any other Smith, I recommend you invest in Standard Catalogue of Smith &Wesson, 3d Edition. You will find the info there a lot more accurate and authoritative than the internet -- unless you've cribbed the info off net but from the book, which could generate copyright problems.
Bill
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