Slumlord,
I have to agree with rustyrelx when he says that the 56 is based on the 0-44 1/2 action. I've been fortunate to examine a few (along with removing the forearms to verify the 56 marking), and to own one. 

The Stevens literature shows that the 28-30 and 32-20 were the largest cartridges "base-dimension" wise that were offered in the 0-44 1/2 and 56, and was likely due to the smaller barrel shank used in these narrower frames. 

To my knowledge, the 0-44 1/2 and 56 were never chambered in 32-40 , but if you have one or have run across one, I'd love to hear about it and be able to update my Stevens info.
Regards,
BP

The gun came in yesterday. Did my usual careful cleanup and it looks better than I had hoped. Bore cleaned up ok. Typical of the .25's I have found. Not mint but decent enough that it should shoot ok for a small plinker. I installed a factory Stevens sight that I had in my collection of extra sights. The checkering looks factory to me. If it isn't, the guy who did it was realy good. The pattern and quality  just looks "right". I compared the wood to my other Favorites and it seems to me that you could call it "delux wood". The only real question that I came up with was that when I pulled the butplate, there is a recess cut into the end of the butplate about 1" by 3" by 1/8" deep. There are four 1/16" holes, one in each corner, and a 3/16 hole close to the center. I looks like it was machined into the stock. Possibly for a plate for a fixture to hold the stock for checkering?  Never seen anything like it. The only other Stevens I have with factory checkering has had the end of the stock modified and I have not seen a standard Favorite stock with anything like this

rustyrelx,
You're right, the 44 1/2 and the 0-44 1/2 have the same dimensional side profile, the differences are in cross section.

Approx width of frame, breech block, lever boss, and barrel shank dia: 
44 1/2:                 1.125", 0.865", 0.575", and 0.875" respectively.
0-44 1/2 (& 56):     0.995", 0.740", 0.500", and 0.750" respectively. 

The 56 Ladies model was a fancier version of the 0-44 1/2, which was a narrower (hence lighter) version of the 44 1/2.

Regards,
BP

rafter-7,
That's one beautiful Ladies Model!!! 

Does it have any special stampings on the face of the receiver or frame? And is the barrel a slip fit? If I remember correctly, Grant made a note or two that there were a couple Favorite Ladies Models encountered that had threaded barrels and receivers.

Regards,
BP

BP and slumlord,

under the forarm and on the face of the reciever it is stamped 55 and the visable markings I can not remember with out getting it out of the safe. I believe its an earily version of the ladies model. One down side of mine is that it has a liner put in it but it shoots like crazy with RWS ammo yes its fun to shoot!!! if more presice info is needed I will dig it out and tell you guys more about the stampings

and thanks for not "ribbing" me about the winchester rug and the pink table!!! ...oooppps my bad you can not see the pink table in these photos.

^
7
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the last file photo I have of this gun

rafter-7,
I've got a couple of "walls" myself so I can't go "ribbing" you about the Winchester rug.

And as far as the pink table goes, well, when you bring a Lady like that to the dance, a fella can overlook a lot of things.

Thanks for the info and posting the pictures!
BP