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Old 09-21-2007, 07:50 AM
Driftwood Johnson Driftwood Johnson is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Massachusetts, USA
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arbhrse:

44 Special S&W CTG denotes the cartridge your revolver is designed to fire. It is not the model name of the revolver. Smith & Wesson devoloped the cartridge and named it 44 Smith & Wesson Special, and still stamps that legend on the side of revolvers they make that are chambered for that cartridge. Most other gun manufacturers and ammo manufacturers simply refer to the cartridge as 44 Special.

Smith & Wesson developed a new 44 caliber Double Action revolver in 1908 and released it with the new 44 Special cartridge. The big 44 went by several names, 44 Hand Ejector, and New Century. Today it is mostly known by its nickname, the Triple Lock. The 44 Hand Ejectors were released in several different models over the years, so the Triple Lock came to be known as the 44 Hand Ejector, First Model. The hallmark of the Triple Lock is the latch built into the frame just in front of the cylinder that latches the cylinder rod in place in the frame. Except for the very early ones, all modern Smiths secure the cylinder in the frame at the rear and the very front of the cylinder pin. The Triple Lock secured it in three places and is the only revolver Smith ever built with that feature.

According to Supica and Nahas, Serial Number 11013 would have been manufactured in 1912. 1912 started with SN 9100 and 1913 started with SN 11150. First Model 44 Hand Ejector Serial Numbers run from 1 to 15375. There is some overlap of serial numbers with the Second Model. Does your revolver have the large underlug surrounding the cylinder pin as shown in the two photos?

Triple Locks were built with 4", 5", 6 1/2" or 7 1/2" barrels as standard lengths. The proper way to measure a revolver barrel is from the muzzle to the front face of the cylinder.

The Triple Lock is probably the most sought after by collectors of all the modern large frame Double Action revolvers that Smith has made over the years. It is impossible to determine the value of it without being examined by an expert, but they usually start around $1000 and go up from there. $2000 is not unusual these days.

My condolences on the loss of your father. He left you a fine revolver. I am still trying to find one that I can afford.
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