I've been wanting to share some photos of a nice Triple Lock I got several months ago. It's not a safe queen, but it has some great karma.

Bearing serial number 1103, this guy left Springfield, MA in June, 1910.







You can see it has very little finish left, but what's there is original. The nice thing is that there has been absolutely no abuse. Everything points to loving care throughout a long working career. All numbers match, though there is no visible number on the stocks, so I can't vouch for them.







There are no nicks, dents, or dings. All lines are sharp and straight, as are the stamps and markings. Mechanically it is like new with perfect lockup and timing. The bore and all chambers are like new. There is no rust or pitting, even under the stocks; and no re-work stamps or stars.

The 5" barrel adds spice and made me know this would be a great shooter.

Now, speaking of a shooter, I can't say I really like the feel of S&W service stocks on a big N frame. So I went to the Ohio Gun Collectors Association in September and kept an eye out for a nice pair of Keith Brown Ropers. Glory be! There they were.







I snapped those babies up so fast it would make you dizzy.





It didn't take a shotgun to perform that wedding; and as far as I'm concerned, they are joined for good.









A couple more snapshots before I quit.







Life's short. Buy the gun.

Righteous Dude!

I had to edit to add that, yes, that really is perfectly worn and the ropers just dial it in!

Son of a ......
Where's that MEGA like buton?!?
That is awesome. I'd love to own that one. I have a nickel 5", but it was re-finished at the factory in March of '62. I prefer blued guns 10-1. Yours is exactly what I wish I had.

Now, why can't I ever find one like that??

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Randy
Provenance nerd

There really does need to be a mega-like button. I can't click the like button quickly enough to get in more than one like.

A fine Triple Lock and it still looks ready for another adventure or two.

Yes, just to put a finer point on the matter, I really enjoy seeing the high condition collectable beauty queen revolvers on this forum. But something about these old well cared for war horses gets me. I find myself gravitating towards these guns more and more.

Great TL and great pictures. Thanks.

Very Nice...Those Ropers are amazing as well...I honestly like the look with the Service grips...But for shooting.... the Ropers are the way to go...Although it has to be impossible to shoot that baby with those Benjamins on it as well...Notice The Plural in Benjamins...

Thank you for sharing...I think I can speak for most when I say...I wish I had one like that...Perfect in all aspects......

That gun, … those grips, …a match made in heaven! Thanks for the post & great pics,

Jerry

That sure is a great looking gun. Great shooter. I really like the old ones that have given service throughout their life.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Thanks for the replies.

There are certain aspects of the wear to this gun that really don't show from the photos. One of the main things that catches my eye is that there remains almost perfect original blue in the cylinder flutes and in the flute of the top strap. It's deep and dark blue that contrasts with the otherwise even wear. The same deep dark blue exists on the frame ahead of the cylinder and on the yoke to the other side. You see it running in the protected area behind the recoil shield on either side, especially between the recoil shield and the thumb latch on the left. There's also a lot of deep dark blue on the frame below the cylinder window. These protected areas really tell a story.

I think that the owner was right handed. The right side of the muzzle is rounded slightly from rubbing a leather holster time and time again as the gun was drawn and re-holstered. The left side of the muzzle doesn't show as much wear.

This fellow is 103 years into this world. He's still strong and robust. Indeed, he is ready for another century. The 20th Century was the "New Century" for which he was named, but it's old now as he journeys into the 21st Century. I wish he could talk.

This guy and his siblings brought us the .44 Special cartridge. It's still the best revolver round of all.

Nice job, Word Man!!!!

Super nice find. This gun is one of those "if it could talk guns". I would really like to know its history. Like you said, it was well taken care of, but also well used. I would request a letter on it if it were mine. Thanks for sharing.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

When I couldn't find a nice one I did the next best thing, DIY revival of a survivor - before & after.

I am honored by the "Likes" and comments through the weekend. Thanks!

Now let me say I would like to find a nice right-hand holster for this 5" N frame. That doesn't seem to be the easiest task. I have a nice Bianchi #5BH L that fits 6-6.5" N frame revolvers. Something like that in 5" would be ideal. If anybody has something that might fill this need, I would appreciate hearing from you.

On the other hand, I have seen on this forum from time to time, some exquisite custom leather work. I don't recall the member(s) who posts these delightful items. I would welcome communications or proposals from these talented members.

I can be reached by PM or by email: [email protected]

I have Galco Phoenix suede lined holsters for both 6-6.5" guns and also in the 5" version. They are designed for both strong side and cross draw use. I prefer them the the Bianchi 5BH & BHL holsters, which I have also owned for N frames and still do for K frames.

Also, an El Paso Saddelry Tom Threepersons would be sweet with that old TL.

CptCurl:

I missed this the first time around! This oughta bounce it so more members can share!!

What a fine firearm. I love the older Smiths, and this one looks like it has just been broken in. Those Ropers really set it off.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

^^That picture right there should be made into a poster! Beautiful revolver..and excellent job on the photography side. Wow..

All Triple Locks are safe queens. The good news is that virtually all of them can be taken out and fired. I'm sure they exist, but I have never seen a Triple Lock that was in a grade so high you wouldn't want to shoot it. Now rhmc24 has fixed his up to the point that I would not want to shoot it. Got me to thinking about how pretty mine would look engraved like that. The owner of Classic Firearms here in Macon has been sending many of his Smiths off the have them engraved; and, boy, do they look good! I saw an M60 and a M66-1 and a M36 yesterday. He didn't tell me exactly what it cost for each gun, but I got the impression that it was right at $1000. May be money well spent. You have to weigh the value of a collector gun against the value of a newly engraved example.

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Dr. B

I missed it too-----and while there's no answers to questions like this, other than "Go figure!", this one (#1103) shipped in June, 1910---and mine (#3976) left in February, 1909.

I know there are much more dramatic cases, but-----------HUH??!!

Ralph Tremaine

I, too, missed this thread the first time around. The Target Model depicted in the photographs is in the 2XXX range, but also shipped June of 1910. Interestingly, the OP's revolver contains grips with medallions whereas mine lacks medallions in its grips.

Edit: Did note the OP cannot vouch for the origiality of the grips on his gun. Mine shipped 17 June 1910. Whether or not there was overlap of grips with or without medallions or they stopped a precise date is unknown to me, but I had heard previously that grips lacking medallions were discontinued in 1910.

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