Other than S&W's catalogs, was the Triple Lock advertised?

TripleLock · #1 07-14-2012, 02:54 PM

I have seen literally hundreds of advertisements from magazines and periodicals dating from the early 1900s for Smith & Wesson handguns, all of which extoll the virtues of the surviving top-break models and the small-framed (as in 'less-than-N-frame' size) hand ejectors. Thus far in my research, however, during the years 1908 to 1915 one model in particular has been glaringly absent: the .44 Military, Model of 1908 - a.k.a. the Triple Lock.

And so, my question:

Has anyone here seen any contemporary advertisement featuring (or even mentioning) the Triple Lock, other than what appeared in Smith & Wesson's own catalogs?

Thanks
TL

TripleLock · #2 07-16-2012, 08:50 PM

I just recently discovered this ad in the December 26, 1908, issue of The Saturday Evening Post. It is interesting to note that although the target reproduced in the ad is reported to have been made at 100 yards with a "Smith & Wesson .44 military hand ejector, plain sights", the revolver illustrated has target sights and is definitely not a Triple Lock.

TL

FWIW Lee Knapp was a gunsmith active in Denver from about 1889 until at least 1937.

opoefc · #3 07-17-2012, 01:15 AM

"Artistic" advertising copy seemed to be the standard about this period. Many different fire arm and ammo. ads, in various publications, alleged that their particular merchandise could accomplish rather outstanding and incredulous feats. Smith & Wesson didn't seem to shy about beating their own drum, either. If Lee Knapp could shoot like it was claimed, how come he didn't win the 1908 Olympics? Ed.

jd330 · #4 07-17-2012, 02:24 AM

Doesn't that revolver in the ad appear to have target sights? Even though the ad disclaims target sights.

DCWilson · #5 07-17-2012, 02:52 AM

I think the illustrated revolver, if it represents an actual production gun, would have to be a Model of 1905 target revolver in .38 Special, not .44 Special. In 1908 there was no .44 HE without an ejector rod shroud.

I suppose before the Triple Lock design was finalized, S&W might have experimented with New Century frame designs that were simply scaled up versions of the I and K frame guns they were already producing. There may have been renderings (maybe including this one?) that reflected those notional designs. That might explain the peculiar mismatches between text and graphic in this ad, as well as historical inconsistency with known design.

Texas Star · #6 07-17-2012, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd330

Doesn't that revolver in the ad appear to have target sights? Even though the ad disclaims target sights.

Yeah, and it isn't a .44 Military, either. (In a 1908 ad, that would've been a Triple Lock.)

Did you see the old Bayard ad that showed someone killing a Cape buffalo with one of their small .380 autos?