I was in a shop yesterday and the owner told me he had a 90% T-lock coming in later in the week. He said it had the original grips as far as he knew and he felt the gun looked nice. (he knows I like to buy S&Ws) So I asked what he would need for it...he told me he'd need $600...
I opened my big yap after some contemplation and told him I'd take it (unseen)...he told me he'd set it back for me and would call me when it arrives.

He also told me I could refuse the gun if it was not up to par.

I have never purchased a Triple-lock or for that mater seen many for sale so I'm fairly confident that $600 is going to be a safe price...I'm assuming he may have shot a low price to me but I'm not complaining.

So when the gun arrives and I'm looking it over, what should I be looking for?


Thanks,
Bob

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"Onward thru the Fog"

Your credit card!

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You're shy a few manners.

Look for? Refinish! Even if it is a refinish, as long as it was decently done (Watch for a bad polishing job) it still should be in the $600+ range.
If it is one of the Brit contract guns, is it still in the original.
.455 or has it been converted. If so, to what and how.
(Still should be in the $600+ range)

Now if it's a converted Brit that has been badly buffed and reblued, you might be getting in a little deep, and it would depend on how bad you want a TL.
Overall visual and mechanical presentation should be a big factor.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

The first thing, to of course make sure that it is not one of the Spanish copies of a Triple Lock, they are out there. Check the bore, if it's .44 Special, as most were, than the original ammo was blackpowder. The most common barrel length was 6 1/2 inches. There were also 4 and 5 inch which are less common, the 7 1/2 inch is very rare. Most were fixed sight, the Target version is very rare (and very desirable). Most were blued, but they did come in nickel. The lock up if it is all original, will be very tight, at least as far as the yoke and crane is concerned. I will take a few more pics when I get a chance, but here's what you're looking for. Even a shooter Triple Lock, if all the parts are correct, are well worth $600-

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Vaya con Dios

Make sure its a triplelock. I have several times ran across people that "thought" themselves knowledgable and proclaimed 3rd models triplelocks because of the ejector houseing etc. Look for that 3rd lock and know what you are looking for. If it is half as good as the guy says its worth the money.

Strike that! Any other S&W .44 special should be worth $600 in that shape too!

Thanks guys. I will be on pins & needles until I get to look at the gun!!

Bob

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"Onward thru the Fog"

Don't automatically reject it if it's a Spanish copy. The right ones are worth more than $600. Doug Wesson visited the Gun Makers in Eibar valley, Spain in the 20s and he was shown a T-Lock copy that he said was equal, if not better, than anything S&W could make. Ed.

Ed,
I had forgotten about the Spanish guns...

Bob

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Does it have a box?
Larry Gaertner

Box??? Unknown but extremely doubtful.


Bob

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Time for a dumb question.

What makes a "triple lock"?

Thanks.

Is the one you dont ask.

The triple lock was known as The New Century Triplelock Handejector.

This is also now referred to as the 1st Model handejector. The triplelock was essentially the same as later model revolvers with the enclosed ejector except it had the addition of a 3rd lock in the crane area versus the 2 locks as we know them now. I believe one of the Wessons did not believe in shrouded ejectors and the gun was discontinued in favor of the 2nd Model Handejector which had no shroud at all. The winds of change being what they are the 2nd model was discontinued in favor of the 3rd Model Handejector which had a fully enclosed ejector but only had the two locks, the one at the end of the ejector and the one that locks into the blast shield.
Some gunsmiths have semi recreated a form of triplelock by installing a springloaded ball and detent in the crane area to help keep the crane from "springing" in guns used in competition or under heavy loads.

Thats it in a nutshell, the more informed can enlighten you more.

Thanks.

It can be fulfilling to be enlightened.

M75rig. The enclosed ejector rod houseing that you are used to seeing once was hollow on the bottom. It had a pin that ran through it that was attached to the ejector. When the clyinder and crane was closed that pin snapped into the frame as a third lock. The gun came out around 1904 or 1905 and was called the new century. The british wanted to cut cost in world war one and figuered they didnt want to pay for the intercate extra work of a third lock when two would do. The 2nd model .44 special didnt have the enclosed ejector rod houseing. Then later with the 3rd model, the N frames came out with it again. However, now it really doesnt do at all what it really was designed for and is solid. Looks good though.

In the photo above, is the square on the crane part of the 3rd lock?

Does anyone have any better photos of that mechanism they could share?

Thanks in advance.

Also, the Brit received .455 Triple Locks for WWI and they felt that the enclosed ejector rod design would trap dirt in the trench warfare.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The first ones were made in 1907 sales began 1908
DBWesson

m75rlg, here are some better pics of the lock mechanism. As you can see in the first photo, there is the latch and the pin that holds it in place. In the second photo, you can see where that pin fits into the front of the yoke/crane.

Thanks, David.

I bought a re-nickeled TL last year for 490.00 OTD. Personally I felt like that was a good deal. It is not in anywhere close to 90% original condition. Lock up, timing and accuracy are flat awesome! Haven't lettered it yet but I think by now all the TL's are 90+ years old. I'm happy with the old girl and I doubt you will be disappointed.

Yep, thanks David!!

Bob

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