Gun is hand eject, serial number is: 13139, 44 special, barrel length is 4in, fixed sights. Frame did not have notch 4 pin in cylinder. Notch was cut there by gun shop that cleaned and checked gun. I believe gun was manufactured in early twenties or before. Please help identify. Thank you.

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Well, aside from the fact we have this in about the most unlikely section of this forum possible (aside from the fact it's clearly a handgun), you have a .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, a k a .44 Triple Lock, a k a .44 Hand Ejector New Century---most commonly known as a Triple Lock. It was manufactured from 1908 to 1915, is the first of the large frame hand ejectors, was available in barrel lengths of 4, 5, 6 1/2, and 7 1/2", and 15,375 of them were made--------plus another 5,000 or so for the British.

Yours has led an unfortunate life, most recently seeming to have been "cleaned up" with a wire wheel. That aside, it's 4" barrel is seldom seen, and the gun enjoys a following among collectors bordering on fanaticism.

If the moderators will move this to the early hand ejector section, it will likely create a fairly lively discussion.

And as far as the notch cut by the gun shop goes, that's God's way of telling you to NEVER EVER GO ANYWHERE NEAR THOSE MORONIC BUTCHERS AGAIN!!!!---------under any circumstances---unless you can come up with someone to help you sue the pants off them----or otherwise ruin their miserable existence. It's too bad flogging has fallen from favor.

Ralph Tremaine

It's appalling that a "gun shop" would cut a notch in the recoil shield. They owe you. Big time.

I think we'd all like to know a little more about the gun's history and maybe how it came to be in such a state.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

Sorry, but that notch looks like someone dropped the gun on a hard surface or dropped something on it. This piece obviously had seen hard use, but there is no excuse for anyone calling themselves a gunsmith to add insult to injury. I would, at a minimum, have not paid whatever they charged to clean it.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Triple locks that are functioning correctly do not have the little wave in the recoil shield where they cut the divot in your gun. The reason for this is the ejector rod works differently than the other models and the pin should not stick out of the ejector star center when open. When closed the cam plate and mechanism inside the barrel shroud cause the center pin to move back into its hole in recoil shield.

If your center pin is protruding from ratchet while cylinder is open, something is assembled wrong or wrong parts are installed.

How much do you have in it?

Did the gun shop clean it with a wire brush or was it that way when you got it. Certainly not much value.
Walt

Welcome to the Forum. Sorry that the news you are receiving about your Triple Lock is negative. Hopefully, you don't have too much tied up in it.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Hello Mr. 445, I like your ole girl. Its amazing that some got through these times.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I would have no problem owning and shooting this gun. Enjoy it for what it is rather than for what it isn't. It is a shame what it was to now, but that clock wont run back.

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Front sight and squeeze

Well, the gun has not been cleaned with a wire brush unless it's a very fine wire brush. It looks that way because I took pictures of it with my phone, and then lightened them in Photoshop. I do appreciate all the info, especially the dates. I did figure it was the first generation. The gun shop was a local shop and I had told them there was a problem with the cylinder Going back into the frame sometimes. They probably did the notch to solve the problem. Don't blame them too harshly. The guns fires well and is accurate. I have a strong emotional attachment to it because it belonged to my deceased father who was a deputy sheriff in the seventies. The gun is not for sale. he purchased the gun from the Widow of a well-known Lawman, But at this point I can't tell you who it was. He had a gun just like this one when he was a cop. He sold it later, but when he became a deputy he found this one. He would rather use it then 45 automatics.

shooter 445 here. I meant to say that he was a motorcycle policeman in the 1950s when I was a child. That's when he had a gun like this one. I have a photo of him on his motorcycle in his uniform and you can see The handle of the gun just like this one.

All the S&Ws of that same size made right up to the present would look like that gun in a holster, which represents about a dozen different models.

I think you probably meant "just like this one" generically, i.e., a DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER, not a rare triple lock S&W.

It's possible the cyl is a later replacement which does require the notch in the recoil shield. Please post a photo of the back of the open cyl and we'll be able to identify if that's the case or not.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I haven't logged in here in quite a few days. I will take pictures of the back of the cylinder and post it. Since my dad was a motorcycle policeman for years, I'm sure he would know if he had a different gun from the one he carried in the 50s. I'm not familiar with the gun except for what he's told me and mother. She said that he wanted to find one like he had worn earlier when I was a child. Now, whether this one is exactly like the one he wore decades earlier I have no idea, and it doesn't matter to me. I'm not paranoid about whether the gun is absolutely stock or modified or whatever. I'm also not interested in how much it's worth. I just wanted to know about when it was manufactured. It seems some posters on here are completely hung up with whether a gun is absolutely stock or valuable or not. I've known some people into antique cars that would get bent all out of shape over an incorrect bolt or nut or whatever. The gun is clean, the gun shoots well and is accurate, and is in good shape. That's what matters to me. I've had quite a few people interested in the gun. I'm thinking about getting a cross-draw holster and carrying it instead of my Beretta 45. I do have a concealed carry license here in Texas.