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10-09-2020, 12:33 AM
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TL Question
Today, while searching various auctions, I found an early TL with 4" barrel and Jinks letter. Barrel was marked as .44 S&W Special on the left side, but the patent dates were on the right side of the barrel rather than on the top? Pics of the ejector rod channel on the shroud were poor, but I couldn't see serial number or any other markings.
By the way....Roy's letter confirmed that it was shipped with a 4" barrel, but did not mention the unusual barrel marking or the possible lack of serial number on the barrel.
I'm no expert on early TL's, so I just wanted some input. Thanks!
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Last edited by mh51; 10-09-2020 at 12:39 AM.
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10-09-2020, 03:47 AM
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No expert either, but I gather the 4" guns didn't have enough room on the top of the barrel for the standard markings, so they were moved to the right side.
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Alan
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10-09-2020, 04:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog
No expert either, but I gather the 4" guns didn't have enough room on the top of the barrel for the standard markings, so they were moved to the right side.
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You are correct!
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10-09-2020, 11:22 AM
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Absent Comrade
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This was actually not limited to the TL, but was the case on other models‘ 4“ barrels of the time period too. A 1913 .32 Winchester M&P:
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10-09-2020, 02:41 PM
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A 4" TL barrel. 
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Lee Jarrett
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10-09-2020, 02:45 PM
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Mr Jarrett,
What's the story behind the engraving on that one?
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10-09-2020, 04:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrcvs
Mr Jarrett,
What's the story behind the engraving on that one?
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10-09-2020, 09:37 PM
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Thanks to everyone for the replies. I had never seen that before, so now I learned another little detail to watch for.
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Mike H
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10-10-2020, 07:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
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Nice story
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10-14-2020, 05:19 PM
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Does anyone know what happened to the revolver that was the subject of the OP's discussion? Presumably it was a blued 4" Triple Lock that was on Gunbroker and was supposed to close today a bit after 3:30 pm. I cannot find what happened to it--GONE, no reference to it in completed auctions! It had a few bids this morning, and I think it was at $1750 then. So much is just a little fishy with Gunbroker most of the time... I usually stray far away from this site.
Of course anything can happen in the end, but the low number of bids and quantity of money bid suggests to me that this firearm was reblued, but, from the photographs, it was hard to tell and my questions went unanswered by the seller. If anyone can find the link to it, please post it!
I think that this Triple Lock was a reblue, but not 100% certain. It was going to be a case study of sorts...
Reasons I think it was reblued (from memory):
1) Colour and "softness" to the bluing strongly suggested this to me;
2) Smith and Wesson logo on sideplate somewhat weak;
3) Ejector housing serial number not evident;
4) Edges of sideplate suggest possibly some buffing.
Again, all could be attributed to poor photographs.
Reasons why this may be not a reblue:
1) Sideplate might appear to have soft edges, but maybe not set quite properly after removal;
2) Sideplate Smith & Wesson logo weak, but not as weak as those that are definitely reblued revolvers;
3) Most importantly, the locking lug on the cylinder crane is not reblued. Often, when a Triple Lock is refinished, this ends up refinished as well, and blued, instead of as original (case coloured).
While we are at it, if in fact this revolver is reblued, how difficult is it to remove that locking lug on the cylinder crane and what holds it in place? I have no reason to remove the aforementioned from any of my Triple Lock revolvers and I don't plan on ruining a good day by beginning so now.
Last edited by mrcvs; 10-14-2020 at 07:47 PM.
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10-14-2020, 06:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrcvs
3) Most importantly, the locking lug on the cylinder crane is not reblued. Often, when a Triple Lock is refinished, this ends up refinished as well, and blued, instead of as original (in the white).
While we are at it, if in fact this revolver is reblued, how difficult is it to remove that locking lug on the cylinder crane and what holds it in place? I have no reason to remove the aforementioned from any of my Triple Lock revolvers and I don't plan on ruining a good day by beginning so now.
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The yoke cams are case hardened, not white.
A screw holds it in place. Without a good reason to remove it, leave it in place. 
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Lee Jarrett
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10-14-2020, 06:28 PM
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10-14-2020, 07:24 PM
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My concern about the gun that just sold on GunBroker was whether it was a .44 Special or a .455 Webley. My two inquiries to seller went unanswered.
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10-14-2020, 07:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
The yoke cams are case hardened, not white.
A screw holds it in place. Without a good reason to remove it, leave it in place. |
Yes, case hardened. You are correct. Although on such a small piece, the yoke cam does not demonstrate the case hardening due to its size. But to say "in the white" is incorrect as it has to withstand much use and sometimes abuse.
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10-14-2020, 07:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flygas
My concern about the gun that just sold on GunBroker was whether it was a .44 Special or a .455 Webley. My two inquiries to seller went unanswered.
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I believe that any Triple Lock in .455 Webley had a 6 1/2" barrel originally. But feel free to prove me wrong. Therefore, by default, this should be in .44 Special.
The seller did not respond to my inquiries either.
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10-14-2020, 09:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrcvs
I believe that any Triple Lock in .455 Webley had a 6 1/2" barrel originally. But feel free to prove me wrong. Therefore, by default, this should be in .44 Special.
The seller did not respond to my inquiries either.
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The letter was confusing. It listed it as .44 Special, but then there was that part at the bottom about the .455. It seemed like the person requesting the letter had asked Roy something about the .455 when he sent the request. Without knowing for sure if it was .44 Special or .455, I wasn’t willing to take the chance. If it really was .44 Special, it’s possible the seller missed out on higher bids.
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10-14-2020, 09:31 PM
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The barrel is clearly marked .44 Special.
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10-14-2020, 09:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrcvs
3) Ejector housing serial number not evident;
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Pic #9-
"71" is visible if you blow it up enough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flygas
My concern about the gun that just sold on GunBroker was whether it was a .44 Special or a .455 Webley. My two inquiries to seller went unanswered.
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The barrel says 44 Special
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrcvs
I believe that any Triple Lock in .455 Webley had a 6 1/2" barrel originally. But feel free to prove me wrong. Therefore, by default, this should be in .44 Special.
The seller did not respond to my inquiries either.
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I do not see anything that makes me think the gun is reblued.
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Lee Jarrett
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10-14-2020, 10:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flygas
The letter was confusing. It listed it as .44 Special, but then there was that part at the bottom about the .455. It seemed like the person requesting the letter had asked Roy something about the .455 when he sent the request. Without knowing for sure if it was .44 Special or .455, I wasn’t willing to take the chance. If it really was .44 Special, it’s possible the seller missed out on higher bids.
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Any and EVERY TL numbered in the original N frame series is a "44 Hand Ejector", but it may be in a different caliber.
Look at the letter for the 5" .455 above.
The TLs originally built in .455 for the military contracts were numbered in a different series, and can be considered "45 Hand Ejectors, First Model".
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Lee Jarrett
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10-14-2020, 10:46 PM
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I understand, Lee. And I appreciate the info. But what I was referring to was the letter which read “Our records cannot verify that this is a .455 hand ejector 1st model or one of the .44 hand ejectors rechambered in the .455 caliber.” As the seller wouldn’t confirm anything, it just made me wonder too much.
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