This was originally going to be a thread that posed a question, but now I think I can post it as a thread with definitive answers.

This past weekend, Lot number 482 (RIA) was a Triple Lock, serial number 11137, with a five inch barrel. There was not a factory letter with the lot, which is almost essential, and this firearm with a parts catalogue dating from 1922, fetched $2500 (with buyer's premium of 15%, $2825). The pre-auction estimate was $1800 to $2750. Given that some other Triple Locks far exceeded their pre-auction estimates, it's at least refreshing to see that, sometimes, one does not have to reach VERY deep into one's pockets to sometimes be successful (no, i am not the new owner of this firearm). Condition is 80%, case colouring 85%, according to Rock Island Auction Company.

In any event, a 6 1/2" barrel contains a 2 line barrel address along the top of the barrel. A 4" barrel contains a 3 line address along the right side of the barrel. The question was going to be " does a 5" barrel contain an address on the side or along the top of the barrel?" Although, unfortunately, RIA did not include photographs of the barrel address of this revolver with a 5" barrel, it is described as having a 3-line address. Given that Triple Locks with 6 1/2" barrels have a 2-line address along the top of the barrel, I think it is safe to assume that this Triple Lock with a 5" barrel is original, and not cut from a 6 1/2" barrel, because the barrel address is in 3 lines and not 2.

Interestingly, a Triple Lock with a 4" barrel contains a 3-line barrel address to the right side of the barrel that only extends a small fraction into the rearmost portions of the front sight, if one observes how far back the front sight extends along the top of the barrel and observe how far forward the barrel address extends along the right side of the barrel. There is ample space between the rearmost portions of the barrel address and the frame, so Smith & Wesson could have placed the 3 line barrel address along the top of the barrel of Triple Locks with 4" barrels, but, I believe, it elected not to do so for purely aesthetic reasons--the barrel address, if properly centered, would have, at its rearmost portions, run into the sloping part of the barrel prior to its intersection with the frame.

Conclusions:

Triple Locks with 4" barrels contain 3 line barrel addresses along the right side of the barrel.

Triple Locks with 5" barrels contain 3 line barrel addresses along the top of the barrel.

Triple Locks with 6" barrels? Have any been actually proven to exist? If so, presumably Smith & Wesson would have placed a 2 line barrel address along the top of the barrel if it was aesthetically pleasing (e.g., would be placed such that ample margins exist without running up curved portions of the barrel.

Triple Locks with 6 1/2" (and greater) barrels contain a 2 line barrel address that runs along the top of the barrel.

Attached are photographs of the barrel address of a Triple Lock with a 6 1/2" barrel and one with a 4" barrel. Both shipped in 1915. My apologies for the poor state of the barrel address of the revolver with 4" barrel. It was refinished at some point prior to 1980 and with polishing and refinishing, this is its present state. I do not have a Triple Lock with a 5" barrel to post. If others do, feel free to post photographs of the barrel address. Of course, if you have one with a 6" barrel, that letters as such, please post photographs of that barrel address--and let everyone out there know about your extremely rare treasure.

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Actually, the 3 line barrel address on a 4 inch barrel extends 3/4 of the way into the front sight and could not be placed on top.

FRI is correct. But I've got pictures.

Thank you for the excellent photograph! Mine is too worn to provide that level of detail.

5" Triple Lock barrel. Sorry, not the best photos, but all I have with me on my phone.

Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

Excellent! We have for future reference, a primer on proper markings on a 4, 5, and 6 1/2" barrel. Invaluable should authenticity be required when contemplating future purchase. Thanks all for your assistance. That's what makes this forum truly great!

Other recent posts in the private section of this forum confirm that the existence of a Triple Lock with a 6 inch barrel is unlikely!

What about the 7 1/2" ?

Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

I knew the rule for the 4". Used it to confirm mine before receiving the letter. Did not realize that about the other barrel lengths. Have to keep and eye out about that and see if it holds true.

I've seen 4,5,6.5 in target and fixed sight versions along with several 7.5" targets. Anyone ever seen a 7.5" FIXED sight?

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PTLAPTA!

I have never seen a 7 1/2". Of course, the intent of this thread was to have information available so one could determine if a barrel was cut, which would not be of concern with a 7 1/2" barrel and I believe barrel stretching would be extremely unlikely. Nonetheless, if someone has a Triple Lock with a 7 1/2" barrel and cares to post a photograph of the barrel address, this could prove useful for educational purposes as it is likely identical to the 6 1/2" barrel address, but a photograph would definitively enable the researcher to note if placement of the address is identical to that of a revolver with a 6 1/2" barrel or if it is centered on the barrel.

Yes, here it is. This is not in my collection, but it is so unusual that I saved its pictures from a website some years ago. I believe that its serial number is 4957. What I have NEVER seen is the 6 inch barrel, although all of the letters keep mentioning it.

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That's because I believe a Triple Lock with a 6" Barrel might have a lot in common with unicorns and the tooth fairy.

I looked at the barrel marking of an original 7.5" barrel TL. The roll marking appears to be the same length, 2 line marking, as on the 6.5" gun. It is also "centered" on top of the barrel. If anyone cut a 7.5" to 7" or less, the markings would look off center or be partially obscured by the reattachment of sight base.

I also think an original 6"bbl TL is unknown. The factory letters repeat what is seen in the handwritten shipping records. Maybe in SDH's case, the clerk was in a hurry and wrote 6 instead of 6 1/2. Then what is in the record gets reported in the letter, as that is all the Historian has to go on. Just my 2 cents. Anything to do with TL's is interesting

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PTLAPTA!

Just saw this thread. Here is my 5" TL barrel roll marking:





See it all here: S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model #1103

Curl

From years past I'm familiar with a couple 7.5" fixed-sight .44 Spl TL's, Steve, both have pinned front sight blades making them 'half target' configuration. Only one forged integral blade example has ever been known, it's chambered in .44-40 and was shipped to a distributor in Detroit in 1910. It lives year-round about four feet from my desk.....but did make a vacation trip to Dallas last week for display at the NRA Annual Meeting.

DC

DC

Was the distributor Lou Eppinger ?

Regards, Mike

Buhl & Son was the distributor's name, Mike....

DC


QUOTE=mikepriwer;140028979]DC

Was the distributor Lou Eppinger ?

Regards, Mike[/QUOTE]

5" TL Target #27XX: 3 line address just like post #14 above.

Bump to top, as there is recently posted a decent Triple Lock with 4" barrel...

I resurrected this thread in response to a recent inquiry about barrel addresses and barrel lengths with regards to Triple Lock revolvers.

I noted that which I quote above. I sincerely apologise for such an egregious digression and hope I can be forgiven. I am happy to report a few months after I created this thread, I did adopt a nickel Triple Lock with a 5" barrel. I should think, IIRC, that it has the same 3 line barrel address like others already posted on this thread.

Photographs depict three nickel Triple Lock revolvers, one containing a 4" barrel, the second, a 5" barrel, and the third with a 6 1/2" barrel.

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