I did end up with a Triple Lock revolver today. THAT was a long time in coming! Those who know me know that I like to collect these, and usually with a bit more condition than this one, but it is all original, except for the distributor installed Mother of Pearl stocks, and you cannot hurt it by putting a round through it every now and again. The flaking nickel finish hurts it a bit, but, then again, nickel finish Triple Lock revolvers exist at a 1:3 ratio, approximately, relative to their blued counterparts, for the commercial production Triple Locks, at most.

My take on these lately, or, rephrasing this, current trends:

Triple Lock revolvers seem to be going up in value, or, this is my way of saying what worked to snag a Triple Lock revolver at a pre-set bid just isn't working anymore, as these have become more valuable.

In comparison, Registered Magnum revolvers over the last few years, IMHO are, at best, flat, if they haven't declined a small percentage.

ANTIQUE Smith & Wesson revolvers have declined over the last several years, even the higher quality stuff, but the slide has flattened or is not continuing.

But those are My observations. YMMV...

In any event, here she is, but not the beauty queen...

S&W 1st Model Hand Ejector (Triplelock) Revolver |




Firearms & Military Artifacts

Firearms

Pistols

Revolvers

| Auctions Online | Proxibid

Congrats. I think that should clean up nicely. Wonder if or where it was actually exported.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

Congrats~ It has a better nickel finish than my nickel triple lock. Like you, I am very happy to have it warts and all.

I bet you will be able to help it out some after receipt. In my opinion, you did well with the dollars spent.

How would one "help it out"? Any "before and after" photographs?

This would be new territory for me as I tend to leave purchases "as is" and not mess with them much, other than replacing after market stocks with period original stocks.

Edit: I did some searching as I recall this topic being addressed and never thought it would apply to me. And TBD if I just don't leave this one alone, but Flitz has been used on a nickel finish such as this one.

I have a worn and loved Triple Lock. I would not hesitate to shoot mine or yours. It may be a challenge to find the original stocks, or leave as-is and enjoy.

If that one could only talk....

Great find, and a good price.

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On the Oak Savannah

Full disclosure as to price, just to spell it all out. $1400, of course, was the hammer price. I intend to pay by check and did a telephone bid, and so my commission fees will be 12%, or $168. Shipping and the FFL fees will put me at a bit over $1600. Still not a bad price in today's market. For whatever reason, Triple Lock revolvers seem to be gaining in value whereas other vintage Smith & Wesson revolvers are not.

Very nice buy. I personally think that is an excellent price for that gun. You could spend way more on a gun with way less history.

Yours looks like a beauty queen, as is, compared to the before pictures of mine.

Hondo44 provided me with lot of tips on how to "help mine" as shown in the after picture.

Mine was deeply pitted and required a chemical agent to remove the aggressive cancer. The chemical agent was naval jelly for mine. Yours may not need it, but it is safe on nickel. To anyone reading this, do not use it on blued guns since it removes rust and bluing is rust. Any of the polishing compounds like Flitz, Simicrome, Wenol, Mothers Billet Polish and etc. will work with a gentle polishing application. Others may have better advice.

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WOW! That cleaned up nicely Lamar.

Regarding mrcvs's acquisition, I sure wouldn't throw that one back, Ian.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Thank you for providing the "before and after" photographs.

A few things...

Since it was suggested I could "help" the finish of my new acquisition, it was worthy to explore this option. Lamarw's revolver looks great given the type of blemishes that existed. His post also suggested that the "cancer" needed to be removed, possibly because it may not have been inert.

With regards to mine, I believe the blemishes are stable and not actively expanding. Don't get me wrong, the "before" and "after" looks great, but I actually don't mind the wear patterns on mine and prefer the wear pattern to blemishes that are blended in to try and make the revolver more uniform. Now, that's just a personal preference. Besides, polishing with a chemical agent is removing a microscopic layer of finish, and this is not desirable. (Yes, I realize it's microscopic and Flitz claims nothing is removed, not even the thinnest of layers.)

Any ideas as to what would have caused a wear pattern such as that exhibited on my new acquisition?

With it centered/focused on the cylinder area I can’t help but believe it is from being stored in a holster. Perhaps not a wet one, but maybe from the chemicals in the leather?

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Possum—The other white meat!

That's my guess as well. Stored in a holster for an extended period of time.

Since I have original pre war N frame stocks with medallions, what's the verdict with regards to the stocks? Leave the mother of pearl stocks as likely affixed by the distributor or replace with the stocks? Although not original to this revolver, I think a nickel finish with mother of pearl stocks is aesthetically pleasing.

I like the stocks. But I like Osage Orange or Ivory with stainless (see Mountain Gun on far right).

Congratulations on a such a magnificent revolver .

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Possum—The other white meat!

Exactly! I too, would not choose to use naval jelly on your example unless you discover some deep pitting (which does not appear to be the case).

For both of our revolvers, the culprit would be the manner in which they were stored for years upon years. When I received mine, I was afraid to see the condition of the innards under the side plate. The underside of the plate and on the inside, things looked to be like a new gun. I was very relieved.

The years of storage of older guns, clocks, tools and etc, were in buildings with out much in the way of temperature or humidity control. It did not have to be a wet holster but rather simply a holster or other materials it touched or rested upon that absorbed moisture from the environment.

I have collected antique clocks for over 25 years. It is interesting to note the differences of the condition of a 100 plus year old more expensive time piece coming from a nicer home to a more common mans clock coming from lower standard farm cabins/homes.

The above is just a couple of speculations on my part. Who knows what our two revolvers endured over the generations and possibly numerous owners.

Leave the MOP. Seems it was often done by distributors looking to add a bit of bling. YMMV, but Nickel + MOP is one of my favorite combos.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

I love Triple Locks, but they are so expensive -- the only way I could get one is by stealing one. Saaaaaaay...where do you live?


---------------

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So very Politically Incorrect

Dont give up the chase...here is one i got not too long ago for $1000

Robert

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Dang !
I had to go and make sure mine was still in the closet.

Sent from my SM-S506DL using Tapatalk

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Regards,
Bruce

Here's mine from purchase in eighties, SN 137xx Actually don't recall the price now. But I was never the 'big bucks' contender. From prior Threads, though I was good on the grips. Now, sounds like they should have a gold medallion??? Kindly... KMA!
Best & Stay Safe!
John

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Since we're posting them...

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Being in the 13,700 range, yours should have the medallion stocks. Earlier Triple Lock revolvers assembled prior to mid 1910 have non medallion concave stocks. Your revolver has the later convex stocks that were never used on Triple Lock revolvers. You should be able to find a nice set of medallion stocks for $200 or less or maybe $250 If really nice. Then you have a set of convex stocks you can then sell.

Leave the Pearl on it if they are thick enough to be safe to shoot.

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

Kinda in the same boat . Been after one for 50 years and don't have one yet . Were very few in my area before the internet and I couldn't find one to buy . A while back I had the money and tried the online auction route but got outbid at the last moment on all I bid on . Fixing to retire and start living on a very fixed income so I will likely not get one unless I can trade into one . I do have a 1920's 2nd model and a very nice Brazilian to keep company with so I am still well heeled .

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

Well I think it's great. JIM FLYNN

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S&WHF # 602

I plan on doing so. Can always swap out with walnut stocks when shooting if desired.

I have a nickel Triple Lock revolver with a 4" barrel that also came with mother of pearl stocks. I had swapped them out with walnut stocks with medallions and recently, after winning this auction, decided to put the N frame pearls back on, although not original. Not to say the distributor didn't put the mother of pearl stocks on prior to the initial sale.

S&W didn't offer MOP stocks for their N frames presumably due to the recoil and the fragility of pearl grips.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thank you kindly Sir, for the point-on information. Several more questions please. Are there available exemplars of the correct stocks on the Net or otherwise? Like to be sure, knowing what I need and am purchasing!

What do my present stocks fit and what approximate value?

Last, where might the best/most reliable place to shop be found?

Again thanks much and in advance too for additional answers if convenient!
Best & Stay Safe!
John

The stocks you need are the N frame pre war stocks (or grips) with medallions. The correct terminology for these is stocks, so I use that term, but you will have better luck searching using the term grips. Make sure they are the type of medallions as shown with the discs as depicted, in the attached photographs. To the novice, other similar stocks appear the same. IIRC, in another thread, we agreed these discs are gold washed brass, but I could be wrong.

Your stocks are appropriate for a .44 Hand Ejector Third Model revolver. The value is whatever the market will bear. You can search for desired stocks, and sell yours, on Ebay or Gunbroker, as much as I hate to patronize either site. Or, better yet, list yours for sale in the "Accessories" section of the forum. You also might find what you are looking for in this section. Warning: If you see what you want at the right price in that section of the forum, act quickly as I might just purchase them. I've been known to do that from time to time!

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As already stated, your stocks would be compatible with an N-frame .44 Hand Ejector Third Model Revolver. The Second Model had the medallion stocks also, which is actually a great thing, as it enables you to have a much greater number of original medallion stocks to search for, as they could have originated on either the First Model (Triple Lock) and the Second Model--compatible, and no difference between the two.

You asked for value of your current stocks. Again, whatever the market will bear.

Here's one I bought off the forum July of 2018, with the same stocks as yours. Note: I did not pay anywhere near the full asking price. I replaced them with the proper stocks and sold the stocks which are identical to yours for $129, this being August 2018. They clearly are not as desirable as the medallion stocks for the Triple Locks (and Second Models), and as those bring $200 to $250 for a decent pair, perhaps yours are worht $150, if I got $129 for mine a few years ago?

SOLD**REDUCED 7/24 - 4 digit Triple Lock 5" Nickel 44 Spl & 63-3 SNUB

The other option, of course, is to sell me your Triple Lock with the improper stocks and let me deal with the rather pesky, and nasty, work that involves swapping them out with the appropriate pair, LOL!

***Update***

Well, by now, I would have thought I might have this one in my hands, a few photographs to prove I didn't Flitz it, etc.

The good news...it's fully insured.

The bad news, it's MIA!

The USPS had been, by far, my preferential way to ship anything, conveniently located, easy to pick up anything, easy to drop off anything, etc. Far better than UPS, FedEx, etc.

What's been your experience?

In any event, 3 weeks out and it's gone nowhere, possibly missing. Here's the tracking history:

November 21, 2020

In Transit, Arriving Late,
November 17, 2020
8:52 pm

Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility,
ANAHEIM CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER
November 17, 2020
4:31 pm

USPS picked up item,
ANAHEIM, CA 92801

It was supposed to arrive on the East Coast by 21 November.

At least it's not a Target Model or one with a 4" or 5" barrel. It could be worse.

Nuts. I hope it's insured.

You could call the Anaheim distribution center and see if they could trace it.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Yes it's insured. The telephone just rings and rings out at Anaheim.

Well, this Triple Lock finally arrived this week, after having shipped 17 Nov. I should say that despite the inexplicable long delay, the USPS remains by far the best way to ship anything.

Also, not sure why I went off on a tangent about Flitz or why anyone would Flitz anything. It looks GREAT just as it is! Much better in hand than in auction photographs! But, then again, I hate anything faked, "improved", refinished, etc. Doesn't the fake wood groaning on the already fake cardboard doors installed in modern houses these days drive you nuts#

Having said that, I like the non original but likely distributor installed mother of pearl stocks and will keep it just as is.

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Ok, you don't like Flitz or Mother's Mag polishes. So, use Blue Wonder cleaner to remove the rust. It won't attack your nickel. It will also clean the bore. If you can't find it locally at Walmart, you can order from their website.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Guy,

Thank you for the suggestion but I intend to leave as found.