I have found what appears to be a Triple Lock Hand Ejector.
It is finished in nickel. It is a 44 Special.
Was this gun ever nickel?
I will copy down the serial number later today and may contact S&W to inquire about this gun.

Any comments on this?

Triple Locks were available in both nickel and blue finishes. Usually on pre-war guns you will find a "B" under the barrel or on a Triple Lock in the barrel shroud preceding the serial number. The B indicates a factory blue gun. If hammer and trigger are nickeled it is indicative of non factory refinish. Absence of the B usually means factory nickel. Most of these guns saw hard use so it is not unusual to find them refinished.

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Tim
SWCA #2697

Druff52--Aside from the finish issue and the collectibility/value question--if you are looking for a shooter these gun are simply amazing. My son and I recently found one with a horrible old re-blue and worse attempt at a target sighting conversion with an old micro sight. The problem is no one told the revolver that because it is ugly, it's not supposed to shoot. The most accurate, smoothest, fun to shoot revolver we have. It has literally taken over every shooting trip.

I fully understand now why Elmer Keith said these are the finest revolvers ever made. I can't recommend buying one more highly.

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Possum—The other white meat!

Pics, where are the pics.


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OK folks. Here are photos of the Triple Lock.
Looks as if the hammer and trigger ARE NOT nickel.

Please advise.

The gent priced this at $4900 today.

Barrel markings and serial number look crisp. Also, case coloured trigger and hammer suggest original nickel finish. Wood grips look like they are in good condition. Appears to be a rarer 5" barrel. How badly do you want it? I would think $3000 to $3500 would be fair.

See your in Pa.

There has been a 6 1/2 Nickel Triple lock for sale with factory letter for over a year now on the Pa gun show circuit. He is asking 3 Grand. Some finish issues but not real bad.

3 k would be probably too much for the one you reference--hence, No sale yet. This one is more desirable due to the 5" barrel.

Amazing that the original (likely) stocks are included. There's a $400 boost to the value of the gun. Ask if the penciled serial number on the backside of the right stock matches the gun.

The absence of a B or an N stamp in shroud, rear cyl face, and grip frame indicate and original nickel finish.

Possibly a Wolf & Klar, Texas shipped gun with those MOP steer head grips.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

It is a very nice example. Can you ask the seller or check if there is anything stamped on the left lower side of the grip frame that might indicate a refinish, like a 3-4 digit date code or R-N enclosed in a rectangle? Are the internals as clean and unpitted as the external surfaces?

If it is unrefinished, original and complete, you won't find many similar guns and it may very well be worth the asking price, high as it may seem. At that price, however, it would be a "I have it" as opposed to a "I expect to make a profit on it" situation, if that makes sense. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

My post, above, was edited as I wrote it. I stated "how badly do you want it?", and I was, originally going to state something similar to what you said. If the OP has to have it, don't expect to turn a profit, but expect serious "bragging rights". Instead, I expressed what I thought might be a fair price for this revolver. Even so, I would expect the seller to come down at least a little bit, perhaps in the $4000 to $4500 range.

Agreed with the above posts... if all original, find another one. Depending on how the Nickel cleans up and with both sets of grips I'd say $3500 is a retail number...but I'd understand paying $4k.

However if the wood stocks don't match the gun then I'll buy them!

How common are 4 inch barrel HE in 44spl?


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Which model-the Triple Lock, the 2nd model, the 3rd, the 4th...?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

A Triple Lock the hard way, years ago $135 at OK City gun show then a bit of DIY ----->

Not sure. Haven't looked at it in person. It doesn't have an ejector shroud.
I'm not that familiar with them.


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The only .44 Special Hand Ejector without a shroud was the 2nd model. 4" barrel versions are listed in reference books, but no one seems to have seen or owned one. There have been many cut down to 4".

BTW, barrels are measured from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel.

Please post pictures.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks. I'll try to get the gun smith to send me some pics.


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Thats a beautiful TL but the price seems awful high, if money is no object...get what you like, there is a lot to like about that pistol. I've decided to add a TL into my harem and am waiting patiently...
A very nice 6.5" TL just passed on GB the other day for just south of 3grand.

Here is a pic of the HE I'm checking on.


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That's a 5" 2nd Model .44 from the 1930s. Looks nice, but it has been refinished.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

As an aside of perhaps some interest (or fodder for commentary from our experts), SCSW IV notes "Barrel lengths other than 6-1/2" will bring a premium; often 50% or more."

And so------------------------------------------------------------------??

Ralph Tremaine

How can you tell it's been refinished?
What do you think it's worth in that condition? Thanks


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It's a gift from God---also available by hanging around too many guns for too long a time. In this case, the fact it's been refinished SCREAMS out at you from the picture---which shows a blued trigger and hammer. God knows better, and you never would have seen that on a S&W revolver (at least one of that era) just by hanging around.

Then there's the color. It's either right or wrong. In this case, it's wrong; but that could be the photo---so ignore it. After that comes sharp vs. fuzzy. This one's fuzzy---could be the picture. All this can go on for a loooooong time, so your best bet is to just sit and stare. You'll come to know one when you see one--------most of the time. Some refinishes are REALLY GOOD!! (This isn't one of them.)

What's it worth in this condition? A damn sight less than if they'd left well enough alone-----like half or less than half of otherwise. Then there's the case of the super rare/seldom seen/"really nice" guns (not applicable here). You're on your own then----if it feels good, do it.

Bottom Line: A properly refinished gun can be a work of art. See any Turnbull rendering. Depending upon myriad factors, that can be worth (way) more than if they left well enough alone.

Ralph Tremaine

Thanks I think. I don't know enough to tell, that's why I asked. He's asking less than $800. Worth it or not??


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It' a skill to be learned. Take an original finish gun of similar vintage if you or a friend have one, put it side by side, and compare all sharp edges, side plate seam, color of bluing and crispness of all rollmarks and stampings.

Obvious telltales on this gun:

1. Blued hammer and trigger
2. Stocks very worn but with 100% blue finish intact
3. Pin on left frame side in front of top of stocks polished flat instead of domed on a pre war gun.

$800? Borderline price for me w/o seeing person. Worth twice that or more with original finish in that condition.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks Hondo44. I'm not looking for a collector, I want a shooter. So this probably fits the bill. Looking at all y'all's pics and text, it's got me wanting a 44 HE. I'm probably not the first on here to be influenced by all the great looking guns people show off. Thanks for everyone's help.



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In this grouping of Triple Lock revolvers, the one with pearl grips is refinished. It cost me slightly over $800 as shipped a few rears ago and this included a factory letter which confirmed the factory original 4" barrel.

Attached Images

20160812_203220.jpg (87.2 KB, 31 views)

^^^^^ Simply wonderful!

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Possum—The other white meat!

Very nice. That was another thing I wanted to ask. When I find one, is it worth getting a letter on it, to see who or what its history is??


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That's a decision only you can make. For starters, are you willing to spend $75 for the letter? If so, the letter will confirm configuration, date of shipment, and possibly the name of an individual if not shipped to a major distributor, and often the location of original shipment.