Recently received this as a gift from my Father-In-Law... (he must like me somewhat?) 6.5" Triple Lock 44 S&W Serial #83. All parts have this same serial number. Its in pretty good condition cosmetically and functions very smooth mechanically. I need to do some research, but wondering if anyone can enlighten me? Thanks in advance...























Sorry, BAD photo, but says just "83"

All I can say is.....Beautiful...Oh and Congrats...

serial Number is Super Low wow

Does your wife have any sisters?

Hi Tim I can't enlighten you.
I am glad to see you start posting and know he chose well in who he gave it to.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Very nice!

Requesting more photos and don't you have a prop rod anywhere?

I did a little reading on them and WOW

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Good for you!
A nice, almost certainly first year TL.
The gun looks righteous, and those are the correct and probably original grips.
I would suggest losing the white paint. On an old classic, it just looks ......................................{tacky}
My opin only, and YMMV.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

What is the best way to go about removing paint from the stampings without harming the finish?

Toothbrush. Fine and clean. Toothpastes have abrasives in them.
Acetone or a good powder solvent.
Patience.
Use your wife's toothbrush. They both taste terrible.
Go slow and let it soak.

"Stabbing" with the bristles removes stubborn spots that brushing won't. Choke up on the handle, put your finger on back of the brush's head, and make like a woodpecker.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Nice!!! You must have a great Father-n-law. The only thing I got from mine is ulcers!!

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

All my father in law gave me was a hard time! Congrats on a terrific and significant pistol... Take that man out for surf and turf at the best place in your state!

Thats funny, I don't care who you are.........well maybe not the wife.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Welcome and congrats on a fine acquisition!

Acetone will work on the paint , but will probably dissolve or at least soften a toothbrush to the point of uselessness. A tin handled 'flux' brush with the bristles trimmed back to about 1/4in will do better.

As for research , the first and best place to go would be a factory letter from Mr.Jinks.

Beautiful!

I would start with a Smith book like Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Especially if you like Smiths and there's a lot to know about the triple locks.

Briefly:

Official name; "44 Hand ejector, Military-New Century", Triple Lock is a collector nickname.
1st N frame (large frame w/swing out cylinder) Hand Ejector model.
Only a little over 15000 made by 1915 when replaced by the 44 HE 2nd model.
Introduced 1908 with the new 44 S&W Special Cartridge.
The majority made in that caliber, next about 5000+ made in .455 Mk II for the british military, and very few made in 44-40, 38-40, 45 Colt, etc., but very rare.
Some target models made, also scarce.
Other barrel lengths like 4", 5" and 6 1/2", also very few.

CORRECTION: I meant to type 6" and 7 1/2". According to Roy Jinks, the 6" was also produced but very uncommon.

Lots more to know.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks for the replies guy's! I have already sent in for a letter from Mr. Jinks. Still looking for extra info from any of you experts! Appreciate you all! Tim

yes, but they don't have the sweet disposition that my Father in law has...! Sent you a PM about the Baby chief stocks...

I've only used a toothbrush a few hundred times to do it, so you're right- I could be wrong.
Yes, acetone will soften the brush head, but it usually doesn't take long enough to be an issue. Been using the same one for a few years now...... They're cheap when they need replacing.
Bristles too stiff MIGHT scratch, might not.






6-1/2"??
That is the most common length.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Yes, it is 6.5"... Thanks for the Acetone advice. Used it and a small nylon brush and the paint came right off. (Thought about using the wifes toothbrush, but better judgement prevailed! : )...)

Photos on the blue velvet are after cleaning off the white paint.

Lee - correct but if my mind reading skills of Jim are accurate, I bet it was a typo, and he meant "7.5 in" because those are pretty scarce.

Alas, too bad I cannot read my wife's mind!

tmichael - how much you askin ? JK - I really like it, it has a nice look and it looks untouched, despite the glare in some of the photos.

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

This one will be a keeper... The finish is definitely original, as are the stocks as far as I know. Now, what are the odds there is a box out there?

very, very nice! thanks for sharing

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

Lee, I must disagree. The grips are not original. No serial number on the back of the right panel , that I can see, and fit is terrible for original grips ( you can see the grip frame sticking out from the grips.) The grips are the right style for an early T-Lock, but didn't come with No. 83. Right? Ed.

Hi Ed,

These stocks fit the frame perfectly. There are no gaps at all, and no grip frame sticking out... It is a bit of an illusion in the 4th photo. They follow the metal frame perfectly. There is "83" penciled on the right grip panel but too faint to show in photos, no stamped 83. I don't know if they are the original stocks, but do know that this revolver has been stored and untouched for the last 60 years. Has been in a safe deposit box... Are they the correct style for the this vintage?

Welcome to the two-digit TL club! That looks like a beautiful unmolested example. I have a two digit TL with a lower serial number than 83, and it is one of the most prized items in my small collection. I wish I could say I got it from my father-in-law who was a great guy, but he was a non-shooter.

Thank you Jim for the kind support, your mind reading is pretty darned close. Actually it was a double typo. I meant to type 6" and 7 1/2".

According to Roy Jinks, the 6" was also produced but very uncommon.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

"Are they the correct style for the this vintage?"

Yes, those are correct for the early TLs.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Nice gun and a great father in law.
My father in law keeps giving me tickets to the Detroit Lion's games. I hate football.

One more excellent reason to be VERY good to that woman.

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I need ammo, not a ride.