Modified Triple Lock

[Kansasgunner]

I just acquired this 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model “Triple Lock” from a local collector. Serial number 11232 5” blue with all numbers matching on the gun. Grips are 1920s vintage and
do not number to the gun. The original hammer and trigger have been replaced with a Humpback hammer and serrated trigger which are I believe are late 1930s vintage. Star on the butt and factory rework markings on the grip frame. The action is pure prewar S&W smoothness, both single and double. Hopefully I’ll get time to take it to the range this weekend.




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[Kansasgunner]

Photos of hammer , trigger and rework marks.

[Tom K]

Originally Posted by Kansasgunner

I just acquired this 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model “Triple Lock” from a local collector. Serial number 11232 5” blue with all numbers matching on the gun. Grips are 1920s vintage and do not number to the gun.

The original hammer and trigger have been replaced with a Humpback hammer and serrated trigger which are I believe are late 1930s vintage. Star on the butt and factory rework markings on the grip frame. The action is pure prewar S&W smoothness, both single and double. Hopefully I’ll get time to take it to the range this weekend.

The rework date appears to be 8-25 so the replacement of the hammer and trigger would not be factory, if your time frame estimate above is correct. Nevertheless, it's a beaut!

Let us know when you get a factory letter, and if the Historical Foundation records tell you anything.

[quinn]

That one could hang out at my house any day of the week. Well done, sir.

[Kansasgunner]

I’m sending the letter request off tomorrow. Once that comes back I’ll go to the Historical Foundation to see if they have any records on the gun.
Yes, timeframe for the rework marks and that hammer/trigger combination are a bit apart.

[Muley Gil]

There is a good chance it received new grips in '25.

[Modified]

Originally Posted by Tom K

The rework date appears to be 8-25 so the replacement of the hammer and trigger would not be factory, if your time frame estimate above is correct. Nevertheless, it's a beaut!

Let us know when you get a factory letter, and if the Historical Foundation records tell you anything.

That trip back to the service department wouldn't be the time the hammer was installed, but it may have been back subsequently and the service department just didn't add another date stamp to it. Always remember that the service department appears to have been pretty inconsistent over the years with what they stamped on a gun when it was in their hands.

The gun is currently sporting a pretty dang good re-blue, and I'd guess it's at least the second (or more) re-finish the gun has had in it's life. I'd be surprised if the service department wasn't who installed the hammer and re-finished it. If it was done by someone else it hardly matters as the work is clearly up to their standards.

I'm very interested to see what, if anything, can be found in the SWHF records.

What a gem of a gun, I am very envious!

[SS336]

That is just straight up perfection for me. You can handle it, shoot it, and enjoy it without guilt. Beautiful revolver.

[S&W ucla]

Nice catch, 5" Triple-Lock is one of my favorites! Looking forward to range report.

[fleabus101]

I recommend a wonder sight on it for giggles..
Thats one nice TL you got hold of. Your effort
getting it paid off. !! Not to be nosy 😉 but aound what kinda coin did it take to persuade
it into your anxious mitts😁
You can post pics of it anytine !!
Best Randy..

[series guy]

The only thing not to like about that gun is it’s location. Very nice!

[RKmesa]

Very Nice!!! The modifications are well done and in my opinion additive to the gun's character, aesthetics, and function. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

[handejector]

Originally Posted by Modified

The gun is currently sporting a pretty dang good re-blue, and I'd guess it's at least the second (or more) re-finish the gun has had in it's life. I'd be surprised if the service department wasn't who installed the hammer and re-finished it. If it was done by someone else it hardly matters as the work is clearly up to their standards.

What makes you think it has been reblued twice?


The hammer and trigger might have been ordered as parts and installed by anyone.


The rework date looks like 5.25 to me.

[Modified]

Originally Posted by handejector

What makes you think it has been reblued twice?


The hammer and trigger might have been ordered as parts and installed by anyone.


The rework date looks like 5.25 to me.

Pure opinion.

Based mostly on how dang close it looks to my reblued triple lock (that I know from SWHF records left the factory blue, was nickeled, and then reblued from nickel).

Also, I'm ever more of the opinion that it's important to bring up the possibility with folks that a gun that is refinished very well may have been refinished multiple times. The service department did such a great job on a re-finish that when I see something like the logo on the side plate showing signs of wear my mind jumps to the notion that this may have been back to S&W multiple times in its life.

I know personally that prior to the SWHF treasure trove of information I had never considered how it was just no thing for someone to send their gun back to S&W for a repair/refinish. It makes a ton of sense though that anyone who used a gun a lot and broke it would just mail it back. I suspect that there are a lot more S&Ws out there that have had repeat visits to the service department than most people would think.

Hell, just the other day I was fishing through my collection of guns I hadn't really thought about much and found two that had dates on them. Just some top breaks I stole at Iver Johnson prices years back, and not really a focus of my collecting. Also acquired before I really knew to look for service dept markings.

[Kansasgunner]

Dr.Jinks said the ship date was October 1915. So birth month for me, just 44 years early!

[handejector]

Originally Posted by Modified

The service department did such a great job on a re-finish that when I see something like the logo on the side plate showing signs of wear my mind jumps to the notion that this may have been back to S&W multiple times in its life.

Factory reblues VARY in quality. They vary because different people did them. They vary because guns come in with very different condition levels. If a gun has heavy pitting it will get buffed more. I have seen faded logos on sideplates on guns I do not believe have had more than one refinish. They did not re-roll the logos.