An Interesting 1915 Nickel Triple Lock

tipoc · #1 11-05-2009, 12:41 PM

I stumbled across this recently. Mr. Jink's comments, which are also below raise a few questions. Any observations welcomed.

Below are a few pics of a 5" barreled nickel plated New Century.

Stocks are numbered for a different gun, the originals gone.

tipoc

David LaPell · #2 11-05-2009, 12:53 PM

Does the barrel appear to have been cut (front sight would have been moved back and maybe on top of the factory lettering like I saw on a .38 M & P target that I saw recently)? The nickel appears to be original though although it is hard to tell from pics and not looking right at the gun in person. Other than that, a nice gun, and even though it was drilled for a lanyard, according to Jinks it appears to be factory.

tipoc · #3 11-05-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David LaPell

Does the barrel appear to have been cut (front sight would have been moved back and maybe on top of the factory lettering like I saw on a .38 M & P target that I saw recently?

A couple of the barrel.

I see no signs that it has been shortened or altered.

Serial numbers match.

tipoc

tipoc · #4 11-05-2009, 08:34 PM

I ran it out to the range today. First time shooting it. Cold, windy and a bit drizzly. I set a Tyler's T grip on it. A little commercial ammo. Standard pressure. I set up over some sand bags at 25 yards. A little majic marker on the rear of the thin, shiny sights to cut the glare some.

First up was some 200 gr. Blazer GDHP. It took a few rounds to work out the point of aim for these (the small X in the box) and I tossed a couple. Group would be smaller with a better shooter but the gun was willing.

With some Remington 246 gr. LRN the gun was more capable than I. Six rounds up above and one round was completely off paper as I figured out the aim. Than I tossed a couple of the 12 below. Point of aim was the small X.

I had some Rem 200 gr. LSWC with me as well but the gun did not care for that as much and my hands were getting numb from the cold. Shot to the same point as the 200 gr. Blazer but it spread a bit more, or I did.

Not bad for a 94 year old gun. Shooter could be better though. A taylored load would do very well I think.

tipoc

Rigmover · #5 11-05-2009, 08:56 PM

Thats a sweet looking triple lock very nice. Looks very original to me i dont think theres to many 5" ers around since they were mostly 6 1/2" ers. All you need is to fill the hole a nice landyard ring and you'll be all set Enjoy!!!

Rick

Culina · #6 11-05-2009, 10:18 PM

Nice find for CA, I am still looking out for a presentable pre war N-frame.

Did you by any chance pick this one up at Imbert & Smithers?

Dave T · #7 11-05-2009, 10:31 PM

Nice New Century, and I'm glad you didn't get the flack over your's that I did over the one I recently acquired.

Only appropriate that it would like the original load best. Something about shooting Blazers in that fine old gun that just doesn't seem right (LOL).

Enjoy it and good shooting!

Dave

tipoc · #8 11-05-2009, 10:36 PM

Kurac,

Nope, elsewhere. But anytime you'd like to see it let me know. I do need some stocks for it that fit me and don't look too bad. Something that harmonizes with the gun. Lanyard ring. If I don't get layed off might be I could afford some.

tipoc

tipoc · #9 11-06-2009, 12:50 AM

I asked for observations and that's a good one. A good catch.

Jinks mentions that the method used is S&Ws not that S&W did it. Could have been done at a later date by S&W or by someone other than S&W.

Part of the "interesting" part of this gun is that it can't be lettered as confidently as I might like. There is no mention of it being a 5" barrel nickel plated gun (with or without a lanyard ring). Likely it left the factory as such, looks like it to me, but the records are unreadable. Without those it is mostly an interesting triple lock. It's true value may not be realized because it's birth records are questionable.

tipoc

DCWilson · #10 11-06-2009, 02:31 AM

I'm not trying to make more work for Roy or The IT Guy, but "unreadable" documents can sometimes become readable if you digitally photograph them and then use an image processing program's histogram tool to bring up the contrast. So don't give up hope on that front.

Pontiaker · #11 11-06-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stbryson

Hello tipoc,

First, I want to say that you found a nice Triple Lock. I really like the 4inch and 5 inch ones. They have a good, balanced feel to me.

Regarding the hole for the swivel, and the restamped serial number, in my opinion they weren't done by S&W at the time the gun was shipped. The numeral style of the restamped serial number is not consistent with what S&W was using at the time, particularly the 5s and the 2. I have not seen that style of numerals on any pre-war (WWII) guns, including a Model of 1926 .44 Military that has a factory installed swivel through the serial number and a restamped serial number on the side of the grip frame. Thats a great looking TR, I love it!

I am not trying to knock your Triple Lock - I really like it. I'm just making an observation.

Take care,

Those serial numbers restamped into the frame look EXACTLY like the numbers stamped into the frame of my 1926 shipped in 39, that went back to S&W in 1953 for a refinish. The only difference is my numbers are a three digit date code and there even in the exact same place as your numbers. Just a little more to think about.