I have been looking for a Triple Lock for years with terrible luck. All I kept finding were the problem guns and the ones that sellers wanted way too much for [being problem guns]. Problems such as being resleeved, non-matching numbers, cut barrels, and ones that were poorly refinished. But yesterday was a different story.

A friend I know of showed me this gun awhile back and was debating on whether to sell it. He knows that I buy and collect older firearms and gave me first opportunity to buy. Well, he finally decided to sell it! He said he's had this for about 30 years. And now it has found another good home.

What I bought off of him is a 1st year S&W .44 Triple Lock. This gun is in excellent condition. It is nickeled and its the original nickel. There is just a little nickel loss on the face of the cylinder and a tiny bit of nickel flake on the left side just below the thumb release. There is no rust or pitting to be found. It has the standard 6-1/2" barrel with an excellent bore which just needs a good cleaning. The grips that are on this gun are real mother-of-pearl but I am almost positive that they are after-market.

The best part is the serial number which is 689. That's right! A three-digit serial number. And being that low puts this gun at first year production. I checked this gun over and all the numbers match. An interesting thing about the serial number is it reads 689 whether the gun is held right side-up or upside-down. Early and low serial numbers are always sought after!

The lock-up on this gun is excellent with almost no play. The trigger pull is nice and easy, real smooth. This is exactly the kind of gun I have been looking for. It is in its original condition and hasn't been messed with. And it has been well taken care of and not ignored and allowed to detoriate as I see with a lot of guns.

Some of you out there may think I paid too much or got a great deal for the price. When it comes to Triple Lock's you might as well ignore the prices in the SCSW3 or the Blue Book because often you can't even find them at those prices. I paid $2000 for it! And I know I paid top dollar for it. Triple Lock's don't come up for sale often and sometimes you have to pay the money for one.

The SCSW3 states that there were 15,375 were made between serial numbers 1-15,375 from about 1907-1915. According to the prices in the SCSW3 and Blue Book I believe I did real good on this one.

I am definately going to get this one factory lettered. It will be posted here when I get it. If the grips are wrong, which I am sure of, I will find the right ones for it.

I do recall from memory that my gun is not the earliest serial numbered .44 Triple Lock to be posted here but it is an early one. It will be keeping my Model 1917 with serial #45 company in my safe.

.45 Hand Ejector Model 1917 U.S. Army Revolver - Serial #45; Factory Lettered

Any comments out there, especially from the experts!

jsmith








This is the best picture I could get of the serial number. My camera just dosn't have the resolution for fine details.

Beautiful gun. Usually factory pearl stocks had medallions, but never say never with S & W. Please let us know about the letter!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I'm no TL expert, but you don't need to have more than a good set of eyes to recognize a great revolver when you see it. Congratulations on this acquisition. I will definitely be interested to learn what the factory letter has to tell you.

Very nice gun. Thanks for posting.

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David Wilson

Wow that is super nice, as far as the price goes, it doesn't matter what you paid, you are happy and that is what matters. You're not going to sell it anyway.

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Dom

murphydog:

I believe the factory started putting medallions in about 1908 or 1909. They started making Triple Lock's about 1907 so my grips could be factory. I still doubt that they are factory. These grips have a poor fit. When I go to shoot it I would rather have checkered wood grips w/medallions.

DCWilson:

I have a good set of eyes when it comes to guns like this one. It was just luck on my part in coming across this deal.

Hunt200:

I am definately not going to sell this one. Still showing this one off to some people I know. I have had a lot of amazement when it comes to the serial number.

After I bought this gun word started getting around about it and I had to leave the gun show early. Any time a scarce or rare gun comes in there are always people swarming after you trying to buy it!

jsmith

Congrats on the triple lock. You have given me renewed hope that I may some day find a nice one at a fair price.
Thanks for posting
Mark Wyatt

I am no expert, but I know what I like and I like this one! Thanks for shareing.

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Stay safe people!

I don't think you overpaid with that much original finish.

Yes, they started putting medallions in wood grips in 1908 or so. They started using them in pearl and ivory grips several years earlier.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

Thats a beautiful TL and I don't think you paid too much. Sometimes it takes years to find a really nice TL.

Charlie

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SWCA # 2294

jsmith,

I have # 1330, which is a 5". It shipped in July 1910, fitted out with non medallion grips

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Very nice.

Based on the current market, you did NOT pay too much! In fact, some would say that you stole it.

Bob

Oooooh, triple lock. So pretty!

Are you sure the serial number isn't 986, just kidding. Nice pistol.

I have serial #718.....
but it's a 1st Model .455 MkII

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

jsmith, Nice find! If the stocks are factory installed, the serial number of the gun should be penciled on the back side of the right grip panel, however odds are they are after market installations. S&W stocks on T-Locks, including factory pearl stocks, of the period when this gun was shipped, did not have medallions. I received a call yesterday from a fellow S&WCA member to tell me he had just purchased a T-Lock, for a very low price, from an old collection that turned out to be a real rarity. It is serial number 0172, a "Club Gun," in caliber . 38 WCF, (38-40) shipped the D.B.Wesson! Keep beating the bushes guys, there goodies out there waiting to be discovered! Ed #15

I should have said in my first post that I think that's a fair price, and even a good price, for that gun. I have paid equal amounts and more for nice revolvers, mostly uncommon .38/44s in new or almost new condition, but also a really nice 1949 K-32. If I could get an early TL in that condition for that money, I'd jump on it.

Actually, I have opened negotiations on one already. We'll see how that goes.

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David Wilson

Whoa!! Ask him to start another thread and tell us the story, Ed.

Bob

I think you did very well on that one. You just don't see that many around and yes, alot are in sad condition.
I hope it comes back to someone famous.

opoefc:

jsmith, Nice find! If the stocks are factory installed, the serial number of the gun should be penciled on the back side of the right grip panel, however odds are they are after market installations. S&W stocks on T-Locks, including factory pearl stocks, of the period when this gun was shipped, did not have medallions. I received a call yesterday from a fellow S&WCA member to tell me he had just purchased a T-Lock, for a very low price, from an old collection that turned out to be a real rarity. It is serial number 0172, a "Club Gun," in caliber . 38 WCF, (38-40) shipped the D.B.Wesson! Keep beating the bushes guys, there goodies out there waiting to be discovered! Ed #15

Reply:

I remember that "Club Gun" was just auctioned off of one of the gun sites about a month or two ago. I can't recall which one. But I do remember that serial number and caliber.

jsmith

You can be proud of that one! I'll look forward to the contents of the letter when it arrives. Thanks for the post & pictures,

Jerry

Thats a super gun at a very good price. Its easy to over pay for a poor gun. Its hard to over pay for a gun like you have just purchased. Good for you. -Chad

Very Nice, love these old T-locks. I have serial #221 and it shipped in 1910... be prepared for a later date as S&W didnt ship by serial number. I checked some of my notes and several in yours serial # range where 1908 ships. Mine is a shooter and I am restoring it a lttle at a time.

Bob & jsmith, I'll check with the collector and see what background is known about the gun #0172. He said he bought it from a another collector ( not a S&W collector) who didn't know what much about it and thought it was a new Model #3 in 38-44 cal. He bought it for peanuts in relation to what it is worth, if it's really a club gun shipped to D.B.Wesson. As we know, Club guns, or "0" guns were usualy presented to some shooters event or Club for shooting prizes, and an entry of "D.B.Wesson" as recipient ,often just meant that DB presented the gun to the Club. Ed #15

Ed,
This gun ran on GunBroker in Dec.
There are pics and the letter shown in the ad-
Rare Smith & Wesson S&W Triple-Lock 38-40 Club Gun : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I was right about that "Club Gun" being up for sale. It had a reserve bid which wasn't disclosed. Just a guess but I'm figuring it was at least $3000, maybe more. It would have been too much money for me be to have bid on.

Just a hunch here but I am wondering whether that 'collector' was the one trying to sell it.

jsmith

Nice gun. Make that a very nice gun. I paid "too much" for a 4" TL a few years back and had some restoration work done on it to boot. Not too sensible but I had been looking for a 4" for years, and I didn't have the heart to leave it as disreputable looking as it came to me.

About 30 years ago I got lucky and found a nice 5" Target TL at a bargain price, so it sort of evens out over the long, long haul. As someone once said, 'Sense ain't got nothing to do with it."

Add me to the list that says you did not pay too much. A good way to figure out if you paid to much is ask your self would I take $2500.00 for this fine old TL? I think the answer will be no.

Thanks for the pictures,

Tim.

That's a beauty. This is my poor excuse for a triple lock. .44 spl target, SN 942.
DW

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"NUTS"

DWFAN, I don't see that as a "poor excuse" at all. The patina just adds character. That's a nice TL in my eyes...but then the one I have is a re-blue. (smiley face goes here)

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

What is the definition of "Club Gun". Thank you, Beaver

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beaver

Beaver:

This is quotated directly from the SCSW3...

Club guns are those whose serial numbers begins in zero. They were assembled by S&W for presentations or for gifts. Many went to shooting clubs for prizes in shooting matches, hence the club gun name. It has been speculated that some club guns may have been assembled from remaining parts in inventory some time after a particular gun had been discontinued.

It is believed about 50 club guns were made over the years for the Wesson family, with the serial number of each being the single digit "0". Production of around 700 other club guns has been estimated, and each of these would have a multiple digit serial number beginning with "0"...

The Club Gun that was being talked about in some of the earlier replies on this thread was one that was just up for sale a month ago. They are quite rare and very seldom come onto the market. I have been into guns 15+ years and have never seen one in person.


Here's is a picture of that 'Club Gun" with serial #0172.

jsmith

You have a very nice TL with serial 689. I am not sure about the MOP grips being original, but they are configured correctly for the early TLs (concave knuckles with no medallions). My collection includes TL serial x4 (not a club gun) which has matching checkered walnut grips with the same concave knuckles and no medallions - like the well used but not abused Target TL 942 also shown in this thread.

jsmith, congrats! Condition is everything, & that gun has got it. I know how difficult it is to find 'em that nice in Ohio (at a realistic price).

I just mailed out the order form and check for the factory letter on 2/13/2010. It will be at least a month or more before I get my letter.

jsmith

The letter just arrived in the mail exactly one month after I mailed it out.

To protect my privacy and to discourage any offers on buying my guns, I used a small piece of black paper to cover up my name and address on the letter.

Here is Page 1 of that letter:


Here is Page 2 of that letter:


I was right about the grips being after-market. After-market pearls generally have a thinner profile than ones made at the factory. My next project is to find the correct grips for my gun. The bad thing is vintage N-frame checkered walnut grips with the flat tops are not easy to find! And the cost can easily run into a few hundred dollars.

MORE NEWS!!!

This Triple Lock is about to be joined by another one.

I was just at a gunshow this weekend and a dealer there I know just got in three Triple Lock's (a rare find). Just put a down payment on the nicest one and will be picking it up some time this month or next.

jsmith

For the record, SN 590:

awesume find good luck with it

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De Oppresso Liber Μολὼν λαβέ

yessir, saw JS gun today and it is MUCH nicer than the pictures show, awesome find, and though the grips may be "aftermarket" they sure were 'pretty'....nice score

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

dant:

I knew my gun would meet your seal of approval when I showed it to you at the show. It's to bad my digital camera has low resolution in taking pictures.

As for the grips, I suspected they were after-market when I bought the gun and the factory letter confirmed it. Now I just have to find the correct set of grips for it. And being an N-frame, a bit costly!

jsmith

jsmith,

I wouldn't spend a lot of time or money looking for the correct wood for that gun if it were mine. When you find it, it will be correct as far as the style goes, but it will no more be the original than the beautiful pearls that are already on it. They were what the user chose to "dress up" his piece and that would be fine with me. Just to let you know that you wouldn't be alone in that decision, here are a couple that I have left as I found them. One is an early 2nd Model nickel with ivory and the other is a first year 1st Model blue with ivory. Both the ivorys are contemporary with the guns.

Bob

I might have a factory set of the correct grips, send me an email if your interested and I will dig through the grips I have. If I do have the right ones you can have them for a fair price or we can trade something out.
Matt

My email is [email protected]

Congrats on the TL. I know the exhilaration you felt having finally just acquired one. It's been over thirty years since I last held and shot one and always wanted one. Finally found a 6.5" .44 blue with considerable holster wear on the cylinder and small nicks on the bottom of the grips and frame from probably sitting down with holstered gun and banging it into something. Other than that it's unreal. Bluing great and bore immaculate, almost like new. I paid far more than I ever have for a revolver and maybe too much, but the pleasure of finally having a TL after decades of wanting one is worth it. I am glad to finally be joining your ranks as an owner of one of the finest revolvers ever made.

My compliments for acquiring a very nice first year Triple Lock with most all its original Nickel finish. I am very novice when it comes to the Triple Lock but stumbled on one of the first models from seemingly close to the last years they shipped. This one shipped in July, 1916. The finish is really good except for the barrel which has lost a percentage of bluing on each side and this revolver is wearing stags also of the period with the dished tops. This seems to be an engineering masterpiece which indicates the Old American Pride and is certainly "Overbuilt" by today's standards. Not sure what they are worth but am very proud to own one! Am also very proud to be able to join with the other Triple Lock owners! Regards, smitholdtimer PS, thanks for a very interesting and educational topic!

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

I'm thinking its a mistake to quote exact numbers produced. I seem to remember seeing a 2nd model with a number lower than "possible". Maybe the often quoted change in serials to 2nd models shouldn't be taken as the number of T/Ls produced. Also, don't forget the 5200 or so produced for the Brits in 455 caliber. It brings the number up to about 20,000 when you include the club guns and other odd/non-comforming serials.

They really are nice revolvers. Not real hard to locate at the larger gun shows around here. Sometimes the prices are pretty reasonable. In a week and a half we'll have National Gun Day in Louisville. I'd bet there will be a half dozen or so available.

Finding the correct grips may be an interesting quest. The early ones didn't have medallions. They were concaved in the stock circle. The later ones have gold medallions. BIS45 can make you an excellent set (better wood than the factory, too). If you locate a ratty set of K's, buy them for the gold medallions.

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Dick Burg

That is a nice T Lock. I would keep the grips on it, after all they look period and the Walnut grips would be replacements to.
My lowest numbers are.
# 49 .455 Commercial October 1, 1914 Wilkinson Sword Co. London
# 25 .44 Special October 28, 1909 Schmelzer & Son Kansas City, MO
I think that Smith held back some of their very low numbers because they did not want Colt to know how many guns were being sold.
Last spring at the S&W Convention there was a display of 108 T Locks.
Last weekend at the Santa Barbara Show there was a display of 80 + T Locks.

DB Wesson
#956

Larry,

In addition to your display at Tucson, I bet the total number there reached or possibly exceeded 125 TL's. Without question, the most ever assembled outside of the factory.

Bob