I looked at a Triple Lock over the weekend. I am wondering if I figured it out right. The frame and barrel have been reblued, marked on the butt with a R-S in a box, a 3 digit date for rework also under the grips, I believe it was ?74. Noticable pitting under the finish on the barrel and a little on the frame. Seemed OK mechanically. The serial number on the butt, cylinder and barrel all match and are 10,XXX. There is a 4 line address on the right side. Did S&W remark the frame with the 4 line address instead of the single line if they reworked it? The gun is a 44 special, 6 1/2" barrel. Grips are not numbered but I believe are correct. They wanted $799, this is the first Triple Lock I have seen. Is the price a little high?
Thanks
Ed

Ed;

Yes, the R-S (for refinish standard or blue) indicates a factory redo; the numbers nearby indicate the month and year. I have seen a Triple Lock restamped with the four-line address after such a factory refinish; my recollection is this was done for a certain period of time post-war. I am sure someone else on the Forum will have more exact years. If original, the right and possibly both stock panels should have the serial number written in pencil on the inside. Yes, $799 seems a bit high. Can you post photos? Hope all this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Ed,

I have a gorgeous Triple Lock target. The only trouble is it was refinished at the factory in the late 1940's and yes, it was common to stamp the 4 line address on the right side. Roy Jinks has confirmed this for me and correctly points out that they weren't collectors items then. Even if they were it probably wouldn't have mattered to the factory.

I can't comment on prices in the U.S.

Frank S.
SWCA 2052.

The few TLs that I have seen down here in the Deep South in refinished/shooter condition hover around the $800 mark. Also keep in mind that everything is negoiatable and condition is a market factor. Hope this helps?

About this time last year, we had a very similar discussion:
Triple Lock Questions PICS ADDED

You will note the TL in that thread was purchased for $490.50 out-the-door. That sounds cheap now!

Anyways, I would probably pass on this one for $799, but even these refinished ones seem to increase in price over time. More than the rate of inflation, I think.

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You're shy a few manners.

I can't really comment on prices either.

A factory refinish wouldn't bother me too much, but I'd be a little concerned about the pitting under the finish.

Would the factory refinish over pitted areas? Any chance the gun was refinished again (since it's trip back to the factory in '74) ?

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

A very depressing thread. I obviously paid too much for my re-blued 1st Model HE (technically traded too much). I suspect I got caught up in the whole business of it being the first of a long line and mechanically sound, therefore shootable. Compared to a lot of brand new Smith N-frames selling for around $1000 the New Centyury seemed worth more.

I do wonder where some of you guys find these things (pre-war N-frames) for the prices you quote. Offering those prices in most of the gunshops I've walked into for the last year or two might get you laughed at if not thrown out. Oh well, we live and learn...or not!

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

A factory refinished Triple Lock for about the cost of a Thunder Ranch gun and about half the cost of a Bowen Conversion is definately something to entertain.

I have a feeling that this time NEXT year we will be saying
"$1,200 is too much for a refinished Triple Lock. I wouldn't go much over $1,000."

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You're shy a few manners.

I missed a chance at a nice one two weeks ago. I had to work, so I didn't get the message from a dealer friend. An aquaintence of his needed to sell a few guns. One was a TL in perfect mechanical shape with lots of original finish (as described by my knowlegdeable dealer friend). I didn't get the message until Monday. The guy took it to a gunshow in Nashville over the weekend and dumped it for $1,200. If as described, I would have gladly given that.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

My humble opinion on this is if you plan on keeping it for a while then 800.00 is just great but if you plan on trying to turn it for a profit soon then keep looking

PS I am still looking.

Thanks for the replies, I was certainly hovering about thinking about buying it.
Jack Frost, thanks for the link to a previous thread. I don't seem to have much luck using the Search Engine here!
I still want to buy it but probably will not, so I will tell anyone interested it is at Cabela's. Post Falls, Idaho. I will probably regret this! But I am out of funds anyways!!
Thanks again for all the replies.
Ed

And a person might want to verify with an employee at Cabela's that the numbers all match. I would feel bad if someone bought it with my info and they didn't match. The number on the barrel under the pin that holds the ejector rod end is the one hardest to see. They were looking at the assembly numbers on the yoke and yoke cutout when I was there.
Later!
Ed

I think its a very fair price in todays market. If it had a shorter barrel I would be all over it, though it would probably have sold already at that price. Man if you can scrounge the cash together go get it, you will be kicking yourself later. I bought a four inch gun with a non factory nickle refinish about a year or so ago in the $400 range so they do sell cheaper but they are coming up and few and far between!

It sounds like a deal to me. I am a bit cheap [charitably put]. So I shop too hard and regret items passed. And it is always harder when the item in question is the first of type for me - maybe true of other accumulators, too.

Finally realized that we see evidence of good deals rejoiced over in happy posts, but see fewer posts from buyers who got nice guns, and paid very dearly.

Bottom line - I think it is OK to break our own personal rules on price or condition or scarcity - and get happy sometimes. [Re those rules - as someone wise said - "You can get two out of three, but price, condition and scarcity all together - ah, Nirvana!"].

Cheers,

Dyson

Hi! I also forgot to add that the front sight has been reworked into a 1/4 moon instead of the 1/2 moon in case anyone is going to buy it.
Ed

Linda

Yes - the factory refinish is not a restoration - just a refinish. Dings,
dents, pits, etc, are left as is. Just a new finish.

As to the price, there are enough TL's, from time to time, that
you will have an opportunity to buy one with original finish. You may
pay more, but in my view, it would be worth it. So, its not that the
price is too high, its that you can get a better collectable piece, sooner
or later.

From what I understand, there are going to be lots of TL's for sale
after the summer S&WCA meeting. Apparently one of the well-known
TL collectors is selling somewhere close to 100 of them.

Later, Mike Priwer

That's quite a thought, someone selling 100 TLs. If the average price is $2k, (which is actually probably too low), he may need an armed escort to and from the meeting.

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You're shy a few manners.

Here's the TL from last years thread. Wearing period correct stocks. Sorry for the poor quality

Attached Images

	DSCN0001.JPG (161.2 KB, 80 views)
	DSCN0002.JPG (154.9 KB, 70 views)

Wow! That is one shiny nickel job! Maybe the camera's flash makes it look brighter than it really is?

All kidding aside, with those stocks, it looks just fine to me for the price you paid.

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You're shy a few manners.

I just wish I was as smart and price savy as you guys. I look at every T/L I see. Back in June, I bought a factory 4" in pretty nice condition, and had t pay $1250 for it. Because I hadn't seen one that good in a 4" gun in a long time, I considered my self lucky to stumble upon it. Now Y'all are telling me I got took? Darn. Next time you see one that cheap, please let me know!

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Dick Burg

Hi Mike,

You old guys over there in the Nation's left armpit need to whisper in each others ear. A trickle on the market might be better than a flood.

Bob