Here is a Triple Lock I bought recently that came to me with ivory grips. I had these early N frame grips that I put on because I think they are more appropriate. The TL has been converted to .45 Colt and has the usual British markings, has a 3 digit serial number and original quality S&W commercial finish. I'm curious as to whether it would have had gold medallion grips like these. Info, comments, etc. appreciated.

I think these are correct. The very earliest TLs had flat rounded top stocks with no medallions, which went away about 1910.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Alan is correct. Here's a late Commercial, Post British Contract, New Century "Triple Lock" from the same era....







Here's another mid-war example in .44 Special.



Drew

Not that any more evidence is needed after what has preceded, but here's another example illustrating the point. This is an early (S/N 358) .455 TL that shipped in October 1914.



This one has also been converted to fire .45 Colt. I'm not sure, but I think the cautious countersinking of the charge holes may have left it able to fire the original .455 rounds as well.

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David Wilson

Good show rhmc24.

Agreed. I've not observed any originally stocked 455s to have anything but the gold medallion stocks.

Although some of the 808 (4 digit #'d) 455s converted from 44 HE 1st Models may well have worn 'dished' medallionless round top stocks while they languished in inventory in their origional 44 Spl configuration (if they were completed guns at all).

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Jim
S&WCA #819

David,
I have confirmed that's correct. The 455 cartridge with its larger rim diameter (than 45 Colt) will chamber properly and fire in 455 chambers converted in that manner to 45 Colt; the best of all conversion methods IMO.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Here's my very early .44 (S/N 15) with its original dished stocks:



I featured it on this thread some time back:

S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model #15