Cased pair of S&W Triple Locks (refinished Blue & Nickel)

[Say When!]

Howdy Smith & Wesson Forum Members:

I'm a novice collector.

I’ve learned a ton from y’all generously sharing your expertise with me!

So I want to share this week's impulsive addition to my modest little collection.

I'm aware of the lofty reputation of the S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model - New Century - Model of 1908 - “Triple Lock”, but certainly not a subject matter expert.

When I spotted this (refinished) pair this week, they called to me and I simply could NOT resist!

I was inspired by the S&W Factory Authentication Letters and 94 terrific pictures the seller posted on his GB listing along with close-ups of the accessories, case & grips.

I honestly don’t know if I overpaid.

I welcome your brutally honest input.

I’m a big boy and I can accept if I made a bad decision.

At your convenience, please take a look and reply with your insights:

Seller’s Description:

This CASED SET OF TWO - S&W 44 HE 1ST MOD. TRIPLE-LOCKS in .44 SPL Cal. Are in approx. 99% refinished condition. .44 S&W Special (standard) cal., 6 1/2 in. barrel, fixed sights, ivory grips, square butt on early production. Revolver named "Triple Lock" for the third lock at the yoke. 15,375 mfg. 1908-1917, Serial Numbers: 62 (Blue) & 12183 (Nickel).

Revolver #1 as per factory letter: “It was shipped from the factory on Sept 9, 1909 and delivered to Bourn & Bond Co., Louisville, KY. The records indicate that this firearm was shipped with a 6.5 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips. The star on the butt and the “B” in a diamond indicates that this revolver has been factory refinished. Based on other markings you can tell that the work was completed in July of 1921.” Action is fairly tight and very little end shake. Barrel bore has some light pitted patches.

Revolver #2 as per factory letter: “It was shipped from the factory on June 10, 1916 and delivered to Belknap Hardware Co., Louisville, KY. The records indicate that this firearm was shipped with a 6.5 inch barrel, nickel finish, and checkered walnut grips.” Action is fairly tight and very little end shake. Barrel bore has some pitting.

Comes in a custom locking wooden case with key, ivory tipped cleaning rods and screwdriver, ivory name plate, brass plated oiler, original style ammo box, and a Franklin Mint S&W revolver style pocket knife.

Price: $5,000

Anyone interested in seeing all of the 94 terrific pictures can do so by searching for GB Item# 985215992.

Thank you in advance for your insights.

Kind regards,
Say When!
Allen, Texas

 

[Say When!]

2nd set: Pics of Cased pair of S&W Triple Locks (refinished Blue & Nickel)

 

[Say When!]

3rd set: Pics of Cased pair of S&W Triple Locks (refinished Blue & Nickel)

 

[Say When!]

4th set: Pics of Cased pair of S&W Triple Locks (refinished Blue & Nickel)

 

[Bald1]

I saw that set on GB. I’m no expert on the old stuff. But if it makes you feel better I just opened a 12 pack of bad decisions……… let’s see what the experts have to say.

 

[Say When!]

“....12 pack of bad decisions...”

Bahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

 

[mrcvs]

Well…

You basically have two revolvers that cost you almost $2500 each, allowing some value for the case and accoutrements.

I’m more of a purist and avoid refinished firearms as, to me, that’s a 0% finish that has been remuddled resulting in the loss of original details, such as soft edges. Others may not be more finicky.

Any Triple Lock revolver, unless in extremely poor shape or poorly refinished, is going to be at least a grand these days. Yours demonstrate an okay refinish. Also, it is advantageous that one is serial numbered 62, and a two digit serial number would bring a bit of a premium. I would think others would readily pay at least $2500 for the package, possibly $3000, and perhaps somewhat more, all depending how badly they wanted it. However, my guess is that it would take the right person to pay $5000 for the package deal.

You wanted honesty.

Why I don’t like refinished is the loss of detail and curved edges, and the lack of the original finish and its tone. Also, yours have replaced stocks. I like the original medallion stocks. Edit: I also like the concave early non medallion stocks, which would be appropriate for serial number 62.

Incidentally, the * next to the 62 indicates a return to the factory for something—refinish or repair. Removal of the stocks might reveal a two digit month and date code which corresponds to when your revolver was sent back to the factory.

 

[huthike]

Refinished doesn’t really do it for me, either. But I do like the package overall. I’m not convinced you did so bad. And if you’re happy, that’s all that matters.

 

[opoefc]

You probably over paid for these, based on the current market, however if you're happy, that's two happy guys - you and the seller! ( I'm assuming bores are minty and the actions are tight ) Ed

 

[Tijeras_Slim]

I’ve found that sometimes you pay a toll just because of the opportunity to buy a certain gun. I can pretty well guarantee you what would happen if you said “I’ll wait for the next pair of cased Triple Locks to come along.”

I have more regrets about guns I didn’t buy than one’s I may have paid a bit much for. Enjoy them.

 

[goatsnguns]

Considering the the 62 gun has genuine Ivory stocks, that would up the value. I can not tell if the stocks on the other gun are Ivory or not. If the others are also Ivory I would think you came pretty close to a fair price for the package. Thanks for sharing.

 

[rct269]

Well, there's refinished---and factory refinished.

The conventional wisdom seems to be factory refinished reduces the value by as little as 15%. I reckon that's because a factory refinished item was prepared and finished by the same folks using the same equipment as used on new production. I haven't held in my hands, and seen with my eyes, all that many factory refinished guns, but all that I have seen showed no sign of being refinished---aside from the factory markings saying so. Poorly refinished guns (poorly translates to you can tell at a glance) generally lose half their value---if not more.

As an aside, I once had a .44 4th target refinished from Satin Blue to Bright Blue (in preparation for sale to a buyer who asked that I request no factory service markings be applied to the gun.) I told him I thought it was highly unlikely such a request would be granted, but I'd ask. The request was granted---seemingly as a matter of course--------so "Let the buyers beware!!"

Did you pay too much? Who knows----besides you, if/when you may decide to sell them? If they sell for the same or more than what you paid, then the answer is no. If you can't give them away for lunch money, then yes------but I'll be betting they'd sell for the same or more.

Triple Locks enjoy a cult-like following, which translates to high demand----and high prices. An example or two can be found with the two of mine which sold recently, along with the rest of my collection. The first was a King Super Target which came to live here in 2016 in exchange for $9500. It was essentially as new---and I was smitten!! The not so good news is it sold for $8800 and change. Whoops! The other one was a 7 1/2" target, condition in the high 90's, and it lived here since 2000. I paid $5250 for that one---the most ever for a single gun at the time---but then along came a .44 3rd target a few years later to set yet another new record. The 7 1/2" target sold very recently---early this year or late last year----the last gun from my collection to be sold---after 3 years, but worth waiting for. It fetched $10,000.

I think the bottom line here is Triple Locks fetch fairly big bucks from eager beaver buyers with money to spend---especially for pretty guns. Now the purist collectors are not going to be standing in line to buy refinished guns, but there are a whole lot more gun nuts out there than there are purists---which I usually refer to as the "lunatic fringe"---like I was.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

It’s a very neat unique 2 gun package but its a shame that the ivory grips weren't fit better than they were. Would also love a Triple Lock in .455 or .450.

 

[goatsnguns]

Is that a miniature S&W in photo #5, post 4????

 

[Truckman]

Is that a miniature S&W in photo #5, post 4????

Looks more like a folding knife with a raised depiction of a S&W revolver in the scales......Ben

 

[series guy]

I’m certainly not any kind of authority on Triple Lock prices but I do own two of them. Looking at what is here I think the purchase price was very reasonable. You have two Triple Locks with factory letters, you have two pair of ivory grips, along with a very nice case and accessories. Yes factory grips would be preferable but ivory has got to be the next best thing. The grip maker even had the foresight to leave the stocks a bit oversized to allow for the natural shrinkage over time. I think your purchase was a pretty sound investment and the main benefit is that it puts a smile on your face.

 

[mrcvs]

Yes, the ivory stocks are a benefit, and that does perhaps make my original valuation of $2500 to $3000 a bit low. Maybe add another $1000 to $1500 for the ivory. I do wish, however, the fit was a little better. The gap at the top between the stocks and the frame would drive me nuts.

 

[raljr1]

I am far less expert than others here, but I can say that if I was still working and had the disposable income, I absolutely would have paid $5k for that set. I would venture a guess that both are factory refinished, given the overall care and quality evidenced. What a neat set.

 

[mrcvs]

I am far less expert than others here, but I can say that if I was still working and had the disposable income, I absolutely would have paid $5k for that set. I would venture a guess that both are factory refinished, given the overall care and quality evidenced. What a neat set.

I don’t know. The refinish is okay for both, probably better than most. The S & W logos on both are fairly crisp, unlike some refinished. Serial number 62 does have a *, indicating a return to the factory. I thought edges on this one were not as sharp as most factory refinishes, but it’s certainly possible it could be a factory refinish.

Edit: The blued frame Triple Lock cannot be a factory refinish as a factory refinish would have a case coloured cam (the second lock) and this one has a blued one. Is the cam on the nickel revolver case coloured or nickeled?

 

[mikerjf]

Taking a different view, what will that $5k be worth a couple years down the road?

I’m not aware of the factory making any more Triple-Locks.