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09-20-2017, 04:30 PM
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Ford's Triplelock Project
There has been some conversation in recent history about the quality of Ford's in Florida. I got back 2 guns today and am looking for another Friday.
The point being, this is Current info.
With the help of David Keith and his guidance, this gun is now in a condition that suits ME. It started life with me as a tired gun with a 5 inch barrel.
I had it redone with S&W Logo remarked, barrel marking with caliber designation redone, a 109 year old worn finish redone, with hammer and trigger case hardened, and all screws Fire Blued. I acquired a set of Mother of Pearls from the 1930s and finished off the Circus Wagon Look with a brass Tyler-T.
I assume they did my guns as they would do anybody else's.
They have satisfied me. You will have to decide for yourself.
So now, number 1375 suits ME. The folks at Ford's are A-OK with me!!!
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09-20-2017, 04:42 PM
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Looks good!
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WAR EAGLE!
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09-20-2017, 04:51 PM
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Thanks Muley, I hope this answers the nagging questions about Ford's quality. I got back a second model 44 handejector that was rough as mine. Turned out great.
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09-20-2017, 04:56 PM
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Circus wagon my eye! That's a Jelly Bryce special.
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09-20-2017, 05:01 PM
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Would like to see "Before" pics. Very nice job, hope to see a range report soon!
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09-20-2017, 05:57 PM
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Very very nice work! Ford's did a great job!
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09-20-2017, 06:03 PM
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VERY nice! I'd be tickled to death with that.
I'm curious as to how they clean up/enhance the S&W logo? Do they have a way to stamp it, or as I imagine - actually engrave over it?
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09-20-2017, 06:08 PM
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Beautiful !
(the reason for cutting the barrel back ?)
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09-20-2017, 06:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Corp
VERY nice! I'd be tickled to death with that.
I'm curious as to how they clean up/enhance the S&W logo? Do they have a way to stamp it, or as I imagine - actually engrave over it?
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I do not know how Fords does it, but a gunsmith showed me a little insignia that they use when refinishing that allows an electro engraving that is deeper
That is a fantastic looking TL
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Last edited by M_conrad_0311; 09-20-2017 at 06:42 PM.
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09-20-2017, 06:41 PM
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Banned
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyj
Beautiful !
(the reason for cutting the barrel back ?)
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Jimmy, just cause I like it.
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09-20-2017, 08:01 PM
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Billy,
That'n came out on the spectacular side of dandy.
Dave
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09-20-2017, 08:06 PM
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Thanks to you Dave!
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09-20-2017, 08:13 PM
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Billy, that is SWEET. Well worth the wait. I hope to really be able to check it out, the next time I'm lucky enough to return.
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09-20-2017, 08:24 PM
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You are always welcome here MR. Bear.
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09-20-2017, 08:24 PM
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Let's see Billy, you followed advice from Keith44spl. You had Ford's do the work for you. Oh yeah... you started out with a Triple-freaking-Lock! What else could you expect but wonderful??
Congratulations.
Froggie
Last edited by Green Frog; 09-20-2017 at 08:26 PM.
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09-20-2017, 09:05 PM
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Billy,
Words fail me!! That is just plain beautiful!!! Real coincidence...I just received a semi rough Brazilian that I plan on modifying...and I was planning on putting a 3 1/2" bbl on it. Turns out that the original barrel has almost perfect rifling after scrubbing out the crud of the years, but I have a spare 1917 barrel coming from eBay which I intend to modify, and keep the original intact.
The point is, that I happen to love the 3 1/2" barrel, I like the one on my 27, and have had this desire to modify a big caliber pre war gun. Iggy's project was the original inspiration, and now I have something else to think about!!!
Great job with the refinish....
Best Regards, Les
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09-20-2017, 09:11 PM
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Good lookin Triplelock!
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09-21-2017, 02:43 PM
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I sure would like to see photos of what it looked like before refinishing.
Curl
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09-21-2017, 03:29 PM
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Wow! Great job Billy! How long did it take them to complete the work?
Guy
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09-21-2017, 05:45 PM
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It is beautiful.
The case coloring on hammer and trigger look factory, good job there!
The S&W trademark logo on the side plate looks properly stamped with a roll die. Can't see it that well, however.
I would not be happy with the side plate seam or the nickeled third lock cam plate and front locking bolt, both should be case colored.
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09-21-2017, 06:05 PM
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The revolver is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations.
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09-21-2017, 06:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy
Wow! Great job Billy! How long did it take them to complete the work?
Guy
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Guy, it took 5 months. I guess they are covered up? If my guns are any indication, I understand why. Thanks for your comments though they don't surprise me, you seem to always have a positive comment.
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09-21-2017, 06:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
It is beautiful.
The case coloring on hammer and trigger look factory, good job there!
The S&W trademark logo on the side plate looks properly stamped with a roll die. Can't see it that well, however.
I would not be happy with the side plate seam or the nickeled third lock cam plate and front locking bolt, both should be case colored.
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Jim, thanks for taking a look! Since the gun is a L O N G way from original and I take the blame for the colors. The S&W Trademark looks like it was done this morning...Perfect. As to the side plate seam, as good as they are, they couldn't fix but so much. Honestly Jim, if you had seen it before, you would be amazed. Truly a silk purse from a sow's ear.
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09-21-2017, 07:31 PM
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Awesome! Beautiful gun!
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09-21-2017, 07:33 PM
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Beauty
A really beautiful Triple Lock. I have a tired renickled Triple in my safe that I would love to look like yours.
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09-21-2017, 07:47 PM
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That's a beauty! Love that barrel length.
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09-21-2017, 08:06 PM
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All I'll say is it's not my experience with Ford's, I heard there was some family
problems at that time? Looks like their back to top shelf stuff again.
Steve
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09-21-2017, 09:26 PM
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Since you had the barrel cut , I assume you'll be carrying it "Mexican style" for EDC?
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09-21-2017, 09:55 PM
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That looks better than a cheap date on pay day. Thank you for sharing.
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09-21-2017, 10:17 PM
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Very nice and well done. thx for sharing
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09-21-2017, 10:20 PM
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You had me at .44 Spl.
I have a few I'd like to send them.
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Last edited by Jaymo; 09-21-2017 at 10:23 PM.
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09-22-2017, 06:22 AM
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Thanks to all. I will put some pictures up of the 5 inch gun with barrel band tomorrow. These 2 old guns were REALLY TIRED when I sent them off. I sent them off after hearing of the problems on here. A leap of faith, so to speak. They both required a lot of work to end up like they did.
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09-22-2017, 09:57 AM
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Can't wait to see the before pictures! Beautiful!!
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09-22-2017, 11:01 AM
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That's some beautiful case hardening on the hammer and trigger...colors actually look more vivid than factory work. Turnbull couldn't have done it any better.
The fire blued screws are a great detail...icing on the cake, so to speak.
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09-22-2017, 11:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee's Landing Billy
Thanks to all. I will put some pictures up of the 5 inch gun with barrel band tomorrow. These 2 old guns were REALLY TIRED when I sent them off. I sent them off after hearing of the problems on here. A leap of faith, so to speak. They both required a lot of work to end up like they did.
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Did Ford's do all your work? Barrel amputation as well? Recase harden the hammer and trigger?
Steve
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09-22-2017, 11:50 AM
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That shorty .44 would be the belle at any bbq! Very cool bringing an old girl like that back to life!
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09-22-2017, 04:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S.B.
Did Ford's do all your work? Barrel amputation as well? Recase harden the hammer and trigger?
Steve
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Steve, they did ALL except shorten the barrel. A dear friend of mine did that part and wishes to remain anonymous. He says he has fishing to do with his grand children. I sure hope he catches a bunch. Thanks ole Pard. As to the before pictures, it never occurred to me that anyone would want to see such an awful critter, so, there are none. I will post pictures of the other gun soon.
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09-25-2017, 01:33 PM
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What a beautiful revolver. I would love to own a triple lock some day. That example is just right.
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09-25-2017, 01:40 PM
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Certainly a raving beauty here!
I'd be interested to know how the barrel marking was centered for the shorter barrel - I suspect the original marking was further forward. Was the barrel a replacement?
John
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09-25-2017, 03:18 PM
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Paladine, no sir, the barrel was shortened by a fellow Forum member. Ford's redid the caliber designation.
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09-26-2017, 05:58 PM
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Just sent another gun off to Ford's. They said they would send it back by Santa!!!
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09-29-2017, 02:47 PM
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Triplelock will be in Lexington on the 28th. Anxious to see all of you again.
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09-29-2017, 07:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee's Landing Billy
Just sent another gun off to Ford's. They said they would send it back by Santa!!!
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That's pretty darn fast! Pics when it gets back?
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09-29-2017, 07:49 PM
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Absolutely pictures. It will be posted on other makes to keep dings to a minimum.
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09-29-2017, 07:58 PM
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Over all nicely done. However, I have seen several pics of Ford's work over the years. Am I the only person would does not appreciate what they do to the side plate lines? Looks like the side plate is removed and the edges of the plate and frame are rode hard on the buffing wheel.
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09-29-2017, 08:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SLT223
Over all nicely done. However, I have seen several pics of Ford's work over the years. Am I the only person would does not appreciate what they do to the side plate lines? Looks like the side plate is removed and the edges of the plate and frame are rode hard on the buffing wheel.
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No, I noticed if too. In fact it jumps out at me. I would be furious if someone did that to the side plate and frame edges of one of my guns. Maybe it was like that from some poor refinishing job in its past, but still they should have been able to restore it better than that.
Last edited by Warren Sear; 09-29-2017 at 08:16 PM.
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10-02-2017, 10:05 AM
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Absent Comrade
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Restoration perfection is rare & only a couple in UDA I'd use & not Fords. I sent Ford a Colt 1902 auto I'd prepped & polished to have markings replaced & blued. Came back with laser markings, wrong font & wrong placement & Colt pony in oval circle. IMO they have people Of varied skills & the outcome of an average gun is a crapshoot. Probably collecter-ish guns are done by the better workmen. Another facet is many/most of their customers lack knowledge of the difference between poor/average/excellent. After a few other disappointments I sent my next 8 jobs to Turnbull ---->
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