Patina...abused...cool...TL

[M_conrad_0311]

I assume that this must be a light weight model due to all the metal that is missing, aka: pitting. I know that this is not the sexy, high condition collector that we are used to seeing, but I thought this TL was interesting enough to buy. Many would never even look at it, but I like that it belonged to a collector before me and to the family of the man who might have been the original purchaser and carrier.

There is a hand written note that accompanies the TL that states that the revolver belonged to her great uncle who was a deputy sheriff in a small Texas town (Anahuac) southeast of Houston in Chambers county. It goes on to state that he was thrown from a horse and killed while on duty. The narrative also states that he was a deputy sheriff in the late 1800s. She states that her uncles name was Harry George Stephenson and the revolver belonged to his father.

I have been told to "buy the gun and not the story", but I got sucked in a little. I thought I would see if I could find any information on the great uncle. I started off with a search of her uncle Harry George Stephenson in Chambers county Texas. I found his name linked to a graveyard in Chambers county and had his fathers name listed as well (George Mayes Stephenson). As luck was on my side, I found a copy of his death certificate. Cause of death was a fractured skull from horse falling on him. I also found records of a man with the name George W Stephenson being a constable in Chambers county 1888 & 1889. A different middle name and a few years too early to be the same man. Unless the death certificate had the wrong birth year on it, as George would have been 10 years old at the time that he was a constable. I guess this doesn't mean that George Mayes Stephenson wasn't a constable, I just haven't found proof of it yet or the relationship of these two George Stephensons to each other in a small 1800 population town. More investigation to follow, including a historical letter. Could this be an early W&K revolver?

Now about the TL, it is an early SN 232 that has been neglected and abused somewhere along the way. It has several areas of pitting and a lot of finish loss. It has good function, though the thumb release is very tight to move and the front lock tends to be very stiff and makes it hard for the ejector rod to be pushed in. It was an original blue finish with concave walnut service stocks. All numbers match (barrel, frame, cylinder, ejector star, yoke, & stocks haven't been removed due to boogered screw.) Barrel has left side marking .44 S&W CTG., last pat. date on top of barrel is Feb 6, 06. The barrel is 6.5" with fixed sights. This one looks like it was left in a holster for many years after going through a hurricane.

[BC38]

WHAT?!? No pictures?!? Are you serious?

Post a tale as interesting as this and not even one photograph of the gun in question?

Get a rope....

[M_conrad_0311]

Lol
They wouldn't download, so I thought I should save what I had written before I lost it, then add the photos.

[merl67]

Matthew If you can get the grips off I would drop it in a mixture of half acetone and half transmission fluid. That hopefully will help with the stiffness you describe. As to getting the grip screw out put a drop or two of said mixture on the thread side of grip screw and let set overnight that may lossen it up enough to remove it. A neat gun and story sounds like at least some of it is accurate which gives more likelyhood all of it is true.

[dr. mordo]

If the price was fair, I'd have bought the heck out of that gun/story.

Great post.

[gman51]

The gun just goes to show some guns weren't safe queens or sat wrapped up in a drawer. Some actually saw a lot of use. For as old as it is that still isn't to bad.

[charles_the_hammer]

Originally Posted by M_conrad_0311

I also found records of a man with the name George W Stephenson being a constable in Chambers county 1888 & 1889. A different middle name and a few years too early to be the same man. Unless the death certificate had the wrong birth year on it, as George would have been 10 years old at the time that he was a constable. I guess this doesn't mean that George Mayes Stephenson wasn't a constable, I just haven't found proof of it yet or the relationship of these two George Stephensons to each other in a small 1800 population town. More investigation to follow, including a historical letter.

I'm sure you probably already know this, but sometimes they can screw those old census records up. Might be the same guy.

I think it's an awesome gun and story.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by M_conrad_0311

Lol
They wouldn't download, so I thought I should save what I had written before I lost it, then add the photos.

OK, now that you have redeemed yourself with a nice selection of photos....

It is indeed a rather rough example, but if it is mechanically sound, there's nothing wrong with honest wear - even when there is a lot of it.

[Pondoro]

Nice gun and story. I assume the price was right. A story is worth something - doesn't make a $200 gun into a $500 gun, but will sometimes make me accept a good price and not fight for a "great" price.

[Watchdog]

Far as I'm concerned, that old revolver is a treasure, and you're fortunate to have found it and saved it.

I'd have bought the gun and the story in a heartbeat...and the check would already be in the mail for the letter on it.

I'd agree that the pitting on the cylinder probably came from being stored in a holster. Or just laying on some surface that moisture would seep up through or accumulate. The stiff ejector rod will loosen up with some careful cleaning, I'm sure.

And look at the sideplate screws. They don't look like they've ever been touched. Well, maybe once or twice...I seem to see a little bit of a bright ring around a couple of them, like the wrong size screwdriver might have been used. But still, I think it's a great looking old gun, pits and finish loss and all.

Congratulations on a great find. Wish I could find stuff like that.

[mrcvs]

What did this one cost you? Depending on what you paid for it, if low enough, the "gun & story" could still be worth more than the gun without the story. Even the poorest quality Triple Lock is worth at least $500 these days. I would pay a slight premium due to it being early with pre-medallion stocks.

[M_conrad_0311]

I thought the $600 plus nescessaries for the gun and very nice presentation case was a fair price. Shipping was a little out of control, but very well packed.

[mrcvs]

That's a reasonable price for this one. I would have bought it for $500 easily and, probably if I had it in my hands, decided it was worth $600. Neat find!

[SVT28]

Cool gun, great story, and the GRIPS! I would do anything to find a pair of those non medallion grips.

$600 I would have bought it in a heartbeat.

Best
SVT28

[bedbugbilly]

To say that you revolver has"character" would be a huge understatement! What a beauty! Congrats on your neat find! That will be a fun one to do further research on and it will be interesting to see what further info you can dig up. Good luck!

[OLDSTER]

Great story and fine gun I agree that the pitting and finish loss were due to being left in a holster in a damp environment for years. I have a couple "valuable" pre-war Hi-Powers with the same type of surface issues that were still in the old, nearly rotted-through, holsters. But with your research and story, that revolver just needs to be as it is