For years my grail Gun has been a Triple Lock, preferably in .44 Special. I own a 1917 and a Third Model, so I DO know the differences. The other day I am in a LGS and see a consignment .44 marked Triple Lock for $1350. I get all excited, check the bore and cylinder, very nice 80-85% condition 6 1/2" barrel. I go and sell a couple of guns to raise the money and go back and buy it for $1250. Picked it up today, get it home take pics and realize I have purchased a very nice Second Model. S/N is 157xx How bad did I get hurt?

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Always bet on stupidity.

It looks pretty nice from here, so you maybe paid a bit more than you might Have but if it is in as good condition as it looks, you did alright. Next time look for the under-lug, and the extra locking shoe.
I've got a Triplelock but sure enjoy my 3rd Models as well.

Always kinda surprised by these threads.

Standard answers:
1. If you are happy, you did great.
2. You never pay too much, you may pay too early.
3. If you passed and really wanted it, you will kick yourself until you fix it.
4. I don't know but think you did just fine, it's only money.

I hope you find this helpful.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

SDH, like I said, I did/do know what to look for. I was like a little kid and just looked down the bore [it's flawless, mirror] and was thinking "A TL I can finally afford!" yeesh, I need a keeper...

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Always bet on stupidity.

Hey put Bride in place of Triple Lock and we'd be talking about my ex-wife.

Paid too much early and WAY too much at the end.
At least you can break even $$$ wise selling the gun.
No one offered me a plug nickle for my used wife.

Deacon,

You did fine! You'd never touch a triple lock in that condition for anywhere near what you paid.

You have an extremely early 2nd model with that serial # only about 300 + units newer than the last TL. In fact I get a whiff of triple lock just looking at it.

It's unmolested and looks all matching except for the stocks, which are 1920 to ~ 1930. But it may have shipped late, check the serial # penciled backside of the right grip. But because it has the logo on the left side, I'm almost certain it shipped pre 1918 and therefore should have the gold medallion stocks.

You could take it back to the store and tell them you found out it's not a TL as advertised, maybe they'll give you a slight discount.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Nice piece, I see these models sell north of $1000 all the time, so I don't think you did bad at all. I too have bought a gun thinking it was a different model when I agreed to buy it. I'm happy with my oops and I think you have plenty of reason to be pleased with yours.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

You may have been slightly wounded, but you won't die. Yours probably shipped in the immediate pre-WWI period, and it is at the front end of 2nd model .44 production. And as noted earlier, the grips are from the 1920s, but so what?

I don't think it will fit in the holster that is pictured with it.

Deacon, I feel so sorry for you that i'll drive up after lunch and take it off your hands, minus my gas money of course. i'll bring some ammo so we can test fire it just to make sure it works properly. lee

You paid about what it was worth. If you had gotten a triple lock for that in that condition you would have had the buy of the year.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Yeah, I guess just more chagrined at my missing the differences than anything else. If I had seen this as a Second Model in this condition I think I would have tried for it as well, knowing I will probably never to be able to afford a TL. This is a beautiful gun with just some holster wear and looks to be ready to shoot. I did get the grip screw loosened up and checked the grips, no number, so they could be replacements, we will never know.

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Always bet on stupidity.

Before you say "no number", recognize pre war penciled S/Ns are in the top half of the stock near the backstrap and read with the stock oriented with the back edge down. You need bright sun light and a magnifying glass.

Sometimes you need to take a photo to “see” the penciled #.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks Hondo, will do!

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Always bet on stupidity.

The only way to get your money out of that one is to shoot it... a lot.


Charlie

I paid too much once everyone told me. In a year the prices soared about 50% higher so I did better than Wall Street. We never lose the prices always go up. Go by your gut feeling.

Hondo, took 'em outside and sure enough, there is a faint number on the grip! Thanks!

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Always bet on stupidity.