Yep, this is true.
The shields are not in larges
The Female Plate is not in a large
The Bascinet, Norse Helmet, Close Helmet, and Helmet are not in a large.
Do note, though, that the following smalls are probably worth the effort to fill, from a risk vs. reward viewpoint.
Dull copper Exceptional Quality smalls
10 Ex & 15 Ex have a 20% chance of Powder of Fortifying (used to be called Powder of Temperment; the new version works on nearly all items that have resists, not just smith items)
20 Ex has a 90% chance of PoF.
Shadow Iron Exceptional 10 & 15 smalls
Both have a 90% PoF chance
Bronze Normal 20 smalls
20% chance of PoF
Gold Normal Smalls
10 & 15 count have 20% chance of PoF
20 count has a 90% chance of PoF
Gold Exceptional 15 & 20 smalls
Exceptional 15 has a 10% chance of a colored anvil deed (which, even after all these years, still sell for a couple hundred thousand). And, until the spring cleaning ends, if you end up with the 105 PS, it at least is worth cleaning points.
Exceptional 20 gives a copper hammer (which, with the runic changes in February, now can make decent weapons)
Agapite Normal 10 & 15 smalls
Both give 90% chance of PoF
Agapite Exceptional smalls
10-count gives a copper hammer
15-count gives a 10% chance at a colored anvil, and a 30% chance of a copper hammer instead. If you get the 110 PS, turn it in for spring cleaning points.
20-count gives a bronze hammer
Verite & Valorite Exceptional smalls
10 & 15 count Verite give Bronze hammer
20 count Verite & 10/15 count Valorite give +10 Ancient Smith Hammers
20 count valorite gives a 115 PS (turn in for points, or use if you haven't got better than a 110 PS yet).