Got all exited over a british contract triple lock in 45 AR, didn't do my research before i grabbed it. Saw it at the pawnshop I always get my stuff at, nice and shiny for $700. After blowing it apart and looking it over, I find it has been reblued for some pretty serious corrosion, not a very good job at that. The barrel is hash as well as the cylinders. It is functional with tight lock up and very crisp trigger.

Thought I might get out ok, but NNOOO. Blue book says caliber change drops price by %40. After all is said and done I figure it's about a $200 gun if I'm lucky. Also found out they are not strong enough to shoot full power 45acp and to stick to 45 auto rim.

Did the same thing on a Brazillian 1937 with no finish (painted with cerama coat) again severe corrosion functions great and shoots well but again, worthless.

I have come to the conclusion that I am unable to get my brian to function correctly on old Smiths, therefore, no more buying them. Sorry about the rant but just had to get it out there.

Please post photographs of your Triple Lock. A decent one not reblued and bored out to safely fire .45 Colt brings $825 to $850 these days. If you think you have only a $200 gun, I will gladly buy it from you for that. A decent set of pre war N frame stocks with medallions brings that alone these days.

Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory.
Miguel de Cervantes

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

I have to imagine we have all been burned by the impulse demon at least once. I know I have been.

Education will often dampen those impulses. Stick around this forum and read up on the Models you like and study them. Also read about the ones that are not your favorites. I like ACP revolvers and know a good deal about them but S&W keeps making new ones and I am not as knowledgeable about those. I am not a collector of Triplelocks nor Second Model Hand Ejectors but I know enough about them to assess what I see. As for refinishing revolvers, books could be and probably have been written on what to watch for to tell a refinished piece from original.

So, don’t be too hard on yourself. It is a mistake we have all made. Do take the moment and learn from it.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

You're not the only one who's bought a gun on impulse without really checking it over. We've all been there. Obviously this one has been through at least one war, in the days of corrosive ammunition to boot.

But in your case I don't think you got hurt too badly.

No way it's only worth $200. Even as a parts gun or project gun, you may be able to get close to what you paid for it.

Everybody wants a Triple Lock!

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You're shy a few manners.

I probably have one or to "oh hecks" in my accumulation.... and like has been said, the parts may be worth more than the whole, should you decide you can't live with your "error".

Robert

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

I have over paid for a lot of guns that I look back on and I shouldn’t have bought. That’s how we learn though and knowledge is power

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-Matt

Experience is a great teacher ...
Now that you have learned what to look for and how to do a bit of pre buying research and realized that not every old gun is a treasure ...
Don't stop now ... keep looking for those deals and remember the past lessons . You've got some hard earned experience ... use it .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Several years ago I bought a 4 inch Model 14 in a pawnshop. Paid a bit more than I should have at the time by about $50. Realized after I bought it that the original four inchers didn't have a patridge front sight, but mine did. Oops, barrel cut and recrowned, but the cut and crown looked factory. Oh, well, win some lose some, I thought. Later on, I got curious and did some research. I do believe, based on what I have found out so far, is that I have a former LAPD gun form during the time when they were switching from the six inch Model 14 to the four inch Model 15, and this was one that the PD armorer cut and recrowned for a LEO that didn't want to give up his Model 14. Still trying to nail that down specifically. Either way, I have a 4 inch Model 14 that shoots like a dream, and that I bought for the then outrageous price of $200. Give it a few years, and your gun may very well turn into a similar type bargain. Remember what we say, you don't pay too much, you just pay too soon.

10 years ago I sold a reblued 455 TL that was made into 45 Colt for $850.

If all you worry about is value you are buying guns for the wrong reasons.

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No life story has happy end.

If you part it, i need the trigger!

Yes, the only thing worse is looking back over many years at the guns I should have bought but didn't; a 1917 in 45 Colt with Canadian stamps for $500 because I didn't think any were made in 45 Colt; a 38 Special Python target with box/papers for $500 because who wants a Python in 38 Special; a Colt 1911 National Match well used for $200 because of an argument with the clerk; a HK P7 for $600 because I wasn't sure what it was. . . . .and way too many more.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Thankfully, I've only one bad S&W blunder at this point....soon I'll be able to tell you all about it! looks like emotion has gotten to all us at some point....on a positive, mine is an awesome shooter. Hope yours feels better soon!

You’re not alone.
Had to have a 5” Model 27 at a reasonable price. Saw this one for $750 a year ago. Should have realized the obvious at that price.
The urge to own it outweighed common sense.
Gun had apparently been left in a storage rug. Reblued after extensive polishing which removed most of the word Magnum on the barrel, but still left pits over most of the gun.
Good news is the interior, rifling and cylinder are ok. Great shooter.
So in ten years it will be worth what I paid for it.

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Thanks for all the input, I don't feel quite so bad. The bluing on the frame is actually very nice. I think I'll redo the cylinder then take it out and shoot the heck out of both it and the 1937.

S&W's once in my safe, never leave. It has a good home with plenty of brothers and sisters.

Wallerus,

How about some photographs?