deadin
Member
Deanimator's listing of the .22LR brings up an interesting point. I, as I'm sure many others, have always assumed that it was a given that the .22LR (developed in 1887) topped any overall "most popular" list. (I responded to this post thinking only of SD pistols and didn't even consider the .22 rimfires.)
Anyway, after a little research, I find that S&W, at least, produced NO .22 LRRF handguns in the timeframe under discussion. (1880-1910). In fact, they produced very few .22 rimfires at all. Production of the Model 1 in .22 Short stopped in 1881. No .22's of any kind were produced until 1902 when the LadySmith (Model M) started in 1902 and they were in .22 Long, not Long Rifle. Less that 15,000 or these were made through 1910. .22 LRRF's were introduced in 1911 with the 22/32 Hand Ejector (or Bekeart Model).
I find it interesting that S&W would not be producing a .22 LR (or any .22 RF) if they were popular at the time.
So much for assumptions......
Anyway, after a little research, I find that S&W, at least, produced NO .22 LRRF handguns in the timeframe under discussion. (1880-1910). In fact, they produced very few .22 rimfires at all. Production of the Model 1 in .22 Short stopped in 1881. No .22's of any kind were produced until 1902 when the LadySmith (Model M) started in 1902 and they were in .22 Long, not Long Rifle. Less that 15,000 or these were made through 1910. .22 LRRF's were introduced in 1911 with the 22/32 Hand Ejector (or Bekeart Model).
I find it interesting that S&W would not be producing a .22 LR (or any .22 RF) if they were popular at the time.
So much for assumptions......