Triple Lock Target Appreciation Thread

[Brian in Oregon]

Here's my Triple Lock Target circa 1914, serial 142xx. I didn't see a Triple Lock appreciation thread, so making a stand alone post. (Changing it to "Triple Lock Target Appreciation Thread" per suggestion in a post below.)

I don't know if the grips were serial numbered to the gun in those days. These grips have no numbers stamped in them. The threaded insert is spinning in the wood, making disassembly very difficult. Could use some advice on how to secure it in the grip. Perhaps Accru-Glas or similar?

The front sight says "W.F. Sheard Tacoma, Wash." on one side and "Pat. June 12, 1900" with "No. 35" below it. The finish on the sight is inferior to that on the gun. The sight finish looks more like what was called "Japaning" or "Japan black" back in the day instead of being blued.

Double action is smooth but stiff. Single action is a real joy. Gun is quite accurate.

Have not shot it much. Once in a while I'll do some impromptu target work with it. It's just begging to go pop a few varmints.

[murphydog]

Very nice! The stocks of this era usually had the SN written in pencil; if you look on the inside of the panels in good light at varying angles you may see it, or it may have faded and not be readable.

Changing out the front sight is/was an easy task and often seen in Target guns of this era. Every little advantage to beat the competition, you know.... A very small amount of lubrication may make the DA pull lighter, no harm in trying. Enjoy!

[DCWilson]

Very nice specimen. Congratulations on having that one in the safe!

I suggest you go back and edit your post title to "Triple Lock Target Appreciation Thread." If we don't have one, we should. Here is my contribution to the concept you defined.

I don't have single images or detail shots of either of these, but these two refinished TL targets came to live with me a few years ago. One is a factory reblue from 1926, the other a non-factory job. The squarish front sight on the rear gun is labeled "King."

[Club Gun Fan]

This is mine. It was in a special group of 12 Club Guns made in 1906. The serial numbers were 088 to 099. In the letter it states "This was the first group of these revolvers produced and they were generally provided to target shooters. This revolver is the lowest of the serial number (088 - 099) , but was not the first one recorded as being shipped." It was delivered to a G. Allen, no address listed. I don't know who he was, but, he must have been important to receive the first Triple Lock ever made.

[bettis1]

Brian,

Welcome to the Forum. That's a very nice TL Target. Although you may see several posted here, don't make the mistake of thinking they are common-they aren't.

Regarding the grip removal: The little brass stock escutcheons have tiny serrations around their periphery that grip the wood. It sounds like, in your case, they have stripped the wood. Here is what I would try. Take a strong sewing needle and tap it into the wood at the edge of the escutcheon, being careful not to distort either. What you want to do is simply wedge the brass and the wood. It might even take a couple of needles. Then put a drop of penetrating oil in the screw hole and let it soak in.

When you feel that the oil has done its work use a properly fitted screwdriver (Blade that fits the screw head both in width and length) and attempt to gradually exert some pressure on the screw.

Note: The most frequent reason for the screw escutcheon to become loose is that someone has attempted to remove the right panel by loosening the screw and then tapping on it to unseat the panel. If the stock is stuck tight, the escutcheon gives way before the stock comes loose.

Bob

[Brian in Oregon]

Bob, I got the escutcheon loose by using a pair of needle nose pliers with the ends rounded and polished to fit the inside curve of the escutcheon. This gripped it without damage and allowed the screw to be turned. Just need to decide on how to bond it in place permanently in the least obtrusive manner possible.

Tom in AZ, it would be interesting to find out when the revolver was refinished by S&W and trigger changed, since that might give a clue when the sight was set up. I wonder if it was done when Elmer Keith was using that type of sight for long range shooting? I recall seeing a photo in an old American Rifleman of Keith's sight, and another from the 1970s or so with someone's Model 29 set up the same way, with two inlaid silver bars on a serrated ramp.

[JSW]

So many beautiful Smith & Wesson revolvers ~ Congrats everybody!

[mrcvs]

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

This is mine. It was in a special group of 12 Club Guns made in 1906. The serial numbers were 088 to 099. In the letter it states "This was the first group of these revolvers produced and they were generally provided to target shooters. This revolver is the lowest of the serial number (088 - 099) , but was not the first one recorded as being shipped." It was delivered to a G. Allen, no address listed. I don't know who he was, but, he must have been important to receive the first Triple Lock ever made.

Is the front sight on No 088, as pictured, factory original?

[Club Gun Fan]

Yes, I have seen two others in this group and they have the same front sight.

[S&W ucla]

Here is my favorite. It's been used but not abused and how could I pass up a 5" bbl, 44spl Target?

[Tom K]

Here's an original (with non-factory replacement grips) that I posted about when I got it.

Score! Triple Lock Target #2629 - updated grips, post #12








I also have a .455 converted to a .45 Colt target model by an unknown gunsmith.

Triple Lock target conversion (not King) - Tulsa, April 2014




There are other Triple Locks (and other hand ejectors) out there built as target guns apparently by the same unknown smith - a feature that I see them having in common is the modified hammer.

Modified or Butchered?




Here's a 4" sold on Gunbroker:
Smith & Wesson 44 Triple Lock Target 4" NO RESERVE : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

[Toyman]

Here is my Triple Lock target shipped Jan 5, 1916 serial 6135

[cgt4570]

Here's my contribution. I have correct grips for it but I kinda like the ivories.

[Club Gun Fan]

Here is a close up of the front sight on 088.

[Memphis]

Chris, I like the Ivories too! But my favorite thing about that gun is the barrel length!

Very nice.

Roger

Don, that front sight looks like Abe Lincolns hat. I like it (a lot).

[DGT]

Here is the only one i have.

[05CarbonDRZ]

If Anyone wants to let One go,Send me a PM.

[mrcvs]

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

Yes, I have seen two others in this group and they have the same front sight.

I suspected it to be original, but I had never seen a sight quite like it. Congratulations on owning another GREAT Smith & Wesson! (You know what the 'other' in another is!)

[Bat Guano]

Picked this one up at a gun show, day 2, circa 1975. Nobody noticed it. I had only $25 on me--just went down to look around with no intentions of buying anything that day. The seller agreed to take my $25 and hold it. I sent the other $200 to him in the mail next day. Needless to say I don't get lucky like this very often.

The gun (#2713) letters as being correct, and was shipped to Carlsson Lush Hardware, Boise, Idaho March 7, 1911. It came to me with the standard square notch rear sight blade, and a Lyman ivory bead front sight. A friend of mine copied the front sight on his TL Target and we installed this one to shoot.

The story that came with the gun (FWIW!) was that it belonged to a policeman in Las Vegas at some point. The blue wear suggests that it indeed spent some time in a holster. Other than finish wear, it's perfect.

Craig Spegel made me some Roper-like target grips for it, but it wears the originals most of the time.

[Hondo44]

Here are the two I was lucky enough to find and acquire. I like targets.

This one I bought over twenty years ago, 7/94, from the grandson of the original owner. Original target #5437. All matching #s including stocks, front sight blade, rear sight, and rear sight blade. Sorry for lousy photo.



This one is a more recent find, factory target #2702. I removed the rubber grips the seller had on it and passed them back to him with payment. All matching numbers including rear sight and rear sight blade. Front sight with gold inlay stamped Redfield. My son added the Sandersons. Very nicely refinished but not at the factory:



Super fine checkered rear sight surface:

[CptCurl]

Wow, what a great thread - Triple Lock Target Appreciation Thread.

I have genuine appreciation for all these beautiful revolvers posted here.

I do not appreciate the fact that there is no Triple Lock Target stuck back in my gun safe for me to appreciate.

One can always hope.

Curl

[Brian in Oregon]

Is there any estimate on how many Triple Lock Target models were made?

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by Brian in Oregon

Is there any estimate on how many Triple Lock Target models were made?

If one were to presume targets were likely somewhere between 5 and 10% of total commercial production, that's 730 to 1455 target models.

[bubbajoe45]

Here's nickel four inch. Loves Trail Boss.

[mrcvs]

Another 4" nickel Triple Lock. Not as nice as the one in the previous post, but still a 4" Triple Lock.

[Wyatt Burp]

Wow. No wonder I never saw one for sale. you guys have 'em all. In 1988 I was in Livingston, MT. and met my favorite modern gunwriter, Mike Venturino. He took me downstairs to his gun room and showed me some of his guns I've seen in articles. One was his Triple Lock Target. And like he said, you could indeed see yourself in the mirrorlike finish of that fine piece. He showed me his K-32 also, and of course, Colt single actions.
Keep making me jealous, folks, posting those fine guns. Perhaps the best ever made.

[SDH]

Another Montana Triple-lock Target with a decent 15 yard target and Sanderson thumbrest grips. The gun is a little rough around the edges but in fine shooting shape and it's all mine.
This has serial number 902, was special ordered and was delivered to Harry Chase, July 23, 1908.

[The Gila Bender]

A nice old .455 TL, redone in nickel, wearing Grashorns.
TL .455 12742 Grashorns.jpg

[tftech1]

Great thread! My two TL targets are a nice part of my collection. The 6-1/2 inch one is in the s/n 14000 range (a late one), and the 7-1/2 inch one is in the s/n 4000 range (much earlier).

[LLOYD17]

Just picked this up today...
Starting a new thread shortly.

[mrcvs]

Well, it's been nearly a year since this thread saw activity, so high time to resurrect it, I think! Here's one I have, it shipped in June of 1910.

[S&W ucla]

I hope I look that good at 106!!

[Toyman]

A front sight question. Most of the examples shown appear to have a bead front sight while mine has what I would call a Patridge front sight. Does anyone know if the factory offered options for the front sight blades ?

[steelslaver]

Originally Posted by CptCurl

Wow, what a great thread - Triple Lock Target Appreciation Thread.

I have genuine appreciation for all these beautiful revolvers posted here.

I do not appreciate the fact that there is no Triple Lock Target stuck back in my gun safe for me to appreciate.

One can always hope.

Curl

My feelings exactly. The target triple locks have to be the high point of S&W craftsmanship. I too would be proud to own one.

[rct269]

Yes, they offered options. That said, I can't list them other than to simply copy down all those available for hand ejectors at the time. And that said, mine (#3976, shipped February 23, 1909) has a Sheard type design gold bead which is not shown among those available, and not marked---other than with the serial number. It's not like I've seen that many, but I've never seen another one like it.

Ralph Tremaine

[Hondo44]

In those days Smith would install any of their sight options and any after market blades like my Redfield above with square gold inlay and/or bases like King's, etc.

[rct269]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

If one were to presume targets were likely somewhere between 5 and 10% of total commercial production, that's 730 to 1455 target models.

When I lettered mine, I asked how many 7 1/2" targets had been made. Roy's response: "The number of these revolvers with target sights is difficult to estimate. It is my opinion that between 250 and 500 were competed with 7 1/2" barrels and some type of target sight." (I took "some type of target sight" to include those (drift adjustable for windage only) sights for the Bisley matches.)

Ralph Tremaine

[Hondo44]

I think that gives us a pretty good range of the possible numbers. Those with Bisley sights were no more than a handful and throw in maybe another couple of hundred with shorter barrels from 4" to 6 1/2" with fully adjustable rear sights, and we could be in the ball park.

[ParadiseRoad]

...I found these photos from an old Rock Island Auction...thought they would be appropriate here...maybe someone on the forum owns this fine example...

[rct269]

As an aside, the front sight shown in post #40 above is known as the "Thin Round Top Blade". It was the standard target front on all hand ejectors from 1905 to 1923------and available on order up to 1942.

Ralph Tremaine

[Toyman]

I looked at the front sight of mine with Patridge style front sight and there is a gold disc not bead on it. Would this be a Call front sight ?

[Hondo44]

Flush mounted or protruding from the blade surface?

Just going from memory which can be faulty, flush silver dot is the Call blade and protruding gold is the McGivern blade.

[rct269]

The Call sight carried both the flush and the protruding disc---either/or.

The McGivern bead is a sphere (half sphere actually), highly touted as the best of the bunch because it reflects light coming from any angle---any angle from the rear----directly or off to either side---and from above---as is most likely----unless the little squirt was standing on his head---which wouldn't surprise me.

Ralph Tremaine

[Toyman]

Mine is a flat gold disc not a bead.

[Lee's Landing Billy]

Mine is first year production but did not ship until 1912. Serial number is 13xx. It is in the hands of one of this forum's more famous "mortifiers". And YES it will be changed greatly, just the way I want it. I am indeed blessed to have his help.

[mrcvs]

Wow, a Target Model Triple Lock appreciation thread! Well, I sure appreciate this one I acqured within the last month from a generous member of this forum. Serial number in the 61XX range, but did not ship until April 1916.

[kryten67]

Nothing like bringing up an old thread with a super model like the Triple Lock target..:-) The grips are correct to my eye and do not have correct serial number. All other numbers are matching. SN#1045 April 1909

Regards
Everett

[kryten67]

Here is the historical letter from Roy.

[delcrossv]

Here's mine. It has had a factory action job for a well known (in the day) bullseye shooter who owned it originally.I have a sheaf of docs for it, all in the file somewhere. A joy to shoot, it is probably the most accurate (for me) gun I own.

Post range trip shot:

[bruce5781]

My three in order of acquisition.
6.5"
7.5"
6.5"

Regards,
Bruce