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04-12-2017, 10:20 AM
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Need info on Grandfather's pistol
Hi All,
I am a new member and am looking for info on this pistol. It looks to have been re-blued at some time.
Thanks in advance!
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04-12-2017, 03:09 PM
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I am going to guess that it's a .44 Hand Ejector, 1st Model...but the photos are not very great.
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04-12-2017, 03:32 PM
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A very handy 44 shooter and cool hand me down.
Yep, a Triple Lock .44 Hand Ejector, 1st Model; mediocre re-finish, shortened barrel with re-attached front sight, and later vintage stocks.
Shortened barrels don't look bad on triple locks because the original barrel marking location is close to the frame.
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Jim
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Last edited by Hondo44; 04-12-2017 at 03:35 PM.
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04-12-2017, 07:37 PM
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Too bad - TLs in original condition are desirable guns.
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04-12-2017, 08:07 PM
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You've got a very cool and very scarce gun there.
It appears to be an original 4 inch Triple Lock 44 Special.
I agree that it is a reblue, and the grips are from a later 1920s gun.
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Lee Jarrett
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04-12-2017, 08:19 PM
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The more I look at it, the better the reblue looks.
It MAY possibly be a Factory reblue.
Pull the grips and show us a pic of the left side of the grip frame like the pic below, please.
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Regards,
Lee Jarrett
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04-12-2017, 08:53 PM
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Welcome to the Forum.
Your granddaddy was well armed indeed! I have a 5" TL and it is a great shooting gun.
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John 3:16
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04-12-2017, 08:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
You've got a very cool and very scarce gun there.
It appears to be an original 4 inch Triple Lock 44 Special.
I agree that it is a reblue, and the grips are from a later 1920s gun.
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Yea I don't think that gun has been cut down at all. The patent information is on the side of the barrel instead of the top which if I remember correctly was done on factory 4 inch TL's because there wasn't enough room on top.
Very nice piece.
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04-12-2017, 09:06 PM
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Yeah, the photos are so fuzzy when I blow them up, the barrel roll mark may be clearer than it looks.
But the 'giveaway' appears to be the front sight base: it slants on the front and it's straight on the rear, plus the vertical corner edges look rounded. Doesn't look normal for the triple lock or like mine:
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Jim
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04-12-2017, 09:34 PM
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4" Triple Lock
You have a very sought after version of the S&W New Century (Triple Lock), if it is in fact a 4" model. Clear close up photos of both the right and left side of the barrel lettering and clear profiles of the front sight will help us help you. Also, as stated, the grip frame close ups will answer any other questions, although I don't see a star next to the serial number on the butt. The serial number should match on the barrel, cylinder, ejector star, 3rd locking lug. and butt. There is probably a penciled number on the back of the right grip but it would be from a later model gun. All in all these are great shooters, I have 2 in this barrel length and love my range time with them.
Enjoy!
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04-13-2017, 12:23 AM
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That`s a great family heirloom. Was it a carry piece of your grandfather`s? Any idea when or where he got it? I picked up a decent reblued factory 4 inch TL just like that one at a show a while back and was tickled to find it even as a reblue.
I wish my grandpa`s pistola I finally inherited was half as cool. My grandpa passed away before I was born and my grandmother tortured me for years the whole time I was growing up with a metal lock box she said had my grandpa`s gun inside that she would give me one day when I was old enough. No matter how much I begged she wouldn`t even crack open the box and let me have a peek to satisfy my raging curiosity. All I could do was dream about how awesome of a pistol it must be for him to only have the one. Finally one day when I was home on leave from the Army she gave me the box and I threw it open only to find a Hi Standard Double Nine .22 looking back at me. I swear I heard that sound they play on cartoons when something disappointing happens- "Wah-Wah...Waaah."
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04-13-2017, 08:31 AM
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Thanks
Hi All,
Thank you so much for the info. I have attached some better pics
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04-13-2017, 08:34 AM
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He never carried it as far as I know. He lived in Mexico for most of his life and it is illegal to even own a gun there.
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04-13-2017, 11:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxpfh
He never carried it as far as I know. He lived in Mexico for most of his life and it is illegal to even own a gun there.
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Mexican residents can own handguns, but are limited in caliber. We have several members here on the Forum from Mexico.
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John 3:16
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04-13-2017, 01:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
Mexican residents can own handguns, but are limited in caliber. We have several members here on the Forum from Mexico.
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Lots of Mexican residents own handguns, but only a few Mexicans own handguns legally, I think only several thousand. Nothing larger than .38 Special for a revolver, nor larger than .380 for a semiautomatic is allowed. And there is only one gun store in Mexico, in Mexico City, run by the Mexican Army.
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04-13-2017, 01:42 PM
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Definitely a non-factory refinish. Still can't see the front sight well enough to make a determination.
Pardon my rudeness.
Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!
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Guy
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04-13-2017, 04:24 PM
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Here are the pictures of the front sight.
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04-13-2017, 04:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
Lots of Mexican residents own handguns, but only a few Mexicans own handguns legally, I think only several thousand. Nothing larger than .38 Special for a revolver, nor larger than .380 for a semiautomatic is allowed. And there is only one gun store in Mexico, in Mexico City, run by the Mexican Army.
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I live on the border and all the crossings into Mexico have warnings about bringing in guns or ammo. So they do try to control it as much as possible.
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04-13-2017, 04:35 PM
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That sight looks fine to me.
Guy
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Guy
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04-13-2017, 07:51 PM
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I'm glad Guy agrees with me. The sight looks perfectly factory and original in those close up photos.
You have a rare original 4" barreled triple lock. Congrats!
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Jim
S&WCA #819
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04-13-2017, 08:02 PM
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Thanks again for all the great info. Time to get some ammo and try this baby out!
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04-14-2017, 11:07 AM
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You have a neat old gun there.
Check the barrel for the serial number- look for it inside the shroud way up front in the recess for the ejector knob. You may need a Q-tip to remove oil or gunk.
There are no marks to attest to a Factory reblue, but there were times when reblues were not marked by the Factory.
It does appear to be a well above average job.
Please post some large, clear pics if you have time of the whole gun from all sides.
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Regards,
Lee Jarrett
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04-14-2017, 03:54 PM
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Here are some more pics. Not sure why I can't get them oriented the right way. The serial number on the barrel is 13108.
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04-14-2017, 05:11 PM
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I almost dropped my laptop trying to hold it upside down so I thought I would help you out with those pictures. Looks pretty slick. If you take any more you might see if you can get a close up shot of the S&W logo on the side plate and of the patent dates on the right side of the barrel so we can see the condition of the factory markings. I would have to letter this one if it was mine to see where it went to originally- keep us updated if you decide to.
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04-14-2017, 10:50 PM
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Lol. Thanks to the help on the pics. Where do I write for more info?
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04-14-2017, 11:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxpfh
Lol. Thanks to the help on the pics. Where do I write for more info?
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You will find the form on the Smith and Wesson Historical Foundation website. Just click where it says "Letter of Authenticity Request Form" and the instructions will be on there. The letters cost $75, but to me it`s worth it when I get a scarce and interesting gun like your grandfather`s 4 inch Triple Lock. The letter will give you general history information about that model and the last paragraph will tell you what the factory records show for your particular gun like the caliber, finish, barrel length, grips, and will tell you the date it shipped from the factory and where it went to.
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation - Letter Process - Insuring that the rich history of Smith & Wesson will continue for generations to come
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