Please help identify

[hunsickershell]

Could someone please help me or tell me how I could go about finding information about my revolver? There are no markings on either side of the barrel to tell me what caliber it is, just the one on the top. There is a number on the inside of the frame under the cylinder but it doesn't match the one that is under the grip on the frame. That number seems to also be under the pin that pushes out the shells and I also think it is under the swivel on the bottom of the grip. The only ammunition I have is .44 mag. and .45 colt. The .44 magnum fits but the .45 colt does not. In my search for answers I think it is called a triple lock but that also has separate model and there are no caliber marks on the barrel. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I was only able to post 5 photos. I do have more if needed. Thank you.

 

[glenncal1]

What ever you do, do not fire a .44 Magnum round out of that gun. It is probably chambered for .44 special.

 

[22hipower]

A 44 Magnum cartridge should not fit. If they do, definitely don't fire one in it. It is probably a 44 Special from 1912 and I would have thought it would have had the caliber stamp on the left side of the barrel. Others will be along with more information. I think the grips are earlier, from 1909 or before. And welcome to the Forum.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[red9]

Congratulations. You are the proud owner of what is commonly called a Triple Lock, also known as a New Century or First Model .44 Hand Ejector. If a gun was made from scratch to fill an order requesting a butt swivel, the serial number was offset to accommodate the swivel in the middle. If the order was filled with a gun that was already serial numbered, a hole was drilled through the butt serial number and a second number was applied on the left side of the grip frame.
Your revolver also appears to have a drift-adjustable rear sight. These were rarely installed by the factory and are very desirable, but every one I have seen also had a target style front sight. Enjoy.

Bob

 

[handejector]

Your gun is what we call a Triple Lock. It was supposed to start life as 44 Special, but S&W used some 44 frames to build 455s and sold them commercially in Jan, 1918.
It is chambered for the British .455 Mark I cartridge.

Your gun, 9859, is specifically listed on Page 203 of Neal & Jinks as a 44 frame used to build a 455 and shipped to Shapleigh Hardware in Jan, 1918.

 

[handejector]

Please post more pics, especially of the rear sight from the top and the chambers in the cylinder.

 

[S&W ucla]

Welcome to the forum! You certainly know how to make an entrance. Great revolver, the rear sight sure ads to the mix. Smith made some with drift adjustable rear sights for the matches at Bisley, England.

 

[hunsickershell]

Thank you very much for the replies. I was not expecting so much information right away. The additional photos are attached to this.

 

[S&W ucla]

Does the 45 long colt go in, just only part way? If so, .455 Mark 1 British service round.

 

[22hipower]

Seems odd that there is no SN on the back of the cylinder. Even if assembled as a .455 MK I as handejector notes I would think the factory would have stamped the rear of the cylinder with the SN. Maybe not though if it is stamped under the ejector star.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[quinn]

Welcome to the forum! Can you give us the back story... how you came into posession of this historic Triple Lock? That is a most inteesting piece of iron especially to us TL admirers and collectors.

 

[hunsickershell]

I inherited it and currently am deciding whether to sell it or keep it. It is not a value thing. It does not fit into my collection. Thank you everyone for the wonderful responses because I just could not figure out what it was.

 

[Masterpiece]

Does the 45 long colt go in, just only part way? If so, .455 Mark 1 British service round.

S&W ucla,

From what I can see I suspect it's likely chambered for .455...Especially given the Triple-Locks Lee noted that were in that same group shipped to Shapleigh Factory-Converted to .45 Colt had a slight recess in the Cyl. Face...His does not!!

As an aside...The next Revolver in line (Ser. No. 9860) noted in that group...Also had a Factory Drift-Adj. Rear Sight, but no Lanyard Ring...Thought some may have interest in knowing that!!

 

[handejector]

Seems odd that there is no SN on the back of the cylinder.

The cylinder has been faced off to accept 45 ACP in moonclips. I should have noticed the excessive headspace in Pic #1.

 

[rct269]

Now that is the very first with a drift adjustable rear sight as required for the Bisley matches I've ever seen. I've seen what I'll call pretenders now and then, but this one strikes me as real---perhaps because the sight looks exactly like what I think it should---and I'm never wrong---except maybe when the Boss Lady says I am!

It's a damn shame the cylinder's been shaved, but there are those who will regard that as progress---those with no soul---or maybe they just didn't know any better at the time.

Oh well!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[T44spl]

Yes, it's tragic that the cylinder was shaved. But even more tragic is the butt of the gun was shaved and appears devoid of a serial number. I'm just shocked that no one else has pointed this out.

 

[handejector]

Yes, it's tragic that the cylinder was shaved. But even more tragic is the butt of the gun was shaved and appears devoid of a serial number. I'm just shocked that no one else has pointed this out.

Look again--

and explained here by red9---

If a gun was made from scratch to fill an order requesting a butt swivel, the serial number was offset to accommodate the swivel in the middle. If the order was filled with a gun that was already serial numbered, a hole was drilled through the butt serial number and a second number was applied on the left side of the grip frame.

"second number" should read "the original serial number"

 

[Modified]

Yes, it's tragic that the cylinder was shaved. But even more tragic is the butt of the gun was shaved and appears devoid of a serial number. I'm just shocked that no one else has pointed this out.

It hasn't.

A lanyard ring was installed, obscuring the number, thats why the frame had the S/N added to it on the left side at the time of the lanyard installation.

It's actually super cool.

Edit: Leeeeeeee!!! You beat me!!!

 

[gjamison]

Very nice triple lock! Definitely chamber for 45acp, cylinder is cut down or like Lee said faced to except half moon clips. I have a second model 44 hand ejector that was chambered in 455 and the same thing was done to mine. Whoever did the work on the rear sight did a very nice job.

 

[Truckman]

It is not a value thing. It does not fit into my collection.

In that case, I think I would adjust the parameters of my collection...That should be a real keeper......Ben