Hi:

There's an old (1908) and attractive (on the surface of things anyway - has ivory grips) 44 special Triple Lock with a 5" barrel on Guns International. It's about $2.5K and the I would want to get it restored to "like new" including the nickle finish. Not sure about the price, so any of you have thoughts feel free to chime in.

If the gun was re-plated to a like new finish condition, what would that do to the value of the piece. I've got other questions but this one could be a show stopper for me - I'm kinda freaky about finish and grips; I like them very pretty.

Thanks all,

Rachel

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Rachel
Grande Torina

You'd be far better off buying a new gun to begin with if what you want is a like-new finish.

I took a look at the gun in question. If you buy that, then refinish it, you will have more money in the gun than it is worth, in my opinion. A refinish will devalue it, even though it has some major finish issues. Triple Locks are expensive guns, and the original nickel is worth a premium. The stocks are not original to the gun. I understand the quandary you are in. It's not a good looking gun. I'd pass at that price myself. You can buy some really nice prewar Smith and Wessons for 2.5k. I'd love to have a Triple Lock, but you can buy a practically mint 38/44 Outdoorsman and M&P both for that kind of money if you like nice prewar guns with 99% finishes. And I'd rather find and buy those two guns than that particular Triple Lock, but that's just my take. Also, you might get more opinions if you posted this in the 1896 to 1961 forum.

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Peter
S&WCA #2620

This needs to be posted in the 1896-1961 forum. but that said, IMO it is too much for the gun to begin with, and a refinish would ruin any collector value and you'll end up with more in it than can ever be returned to you.

I have a 5" nickel TL that was factory refinished in 1963. You can see it and read a bit more about it in the 1896-1961 forum in my thread "Happy birthday TL".

QRachel,

Is that for Queen Rachel? :-)

I agree with all the posts above. The 5" barrel and factory nickel make that early TL an expensive gun. But not $2.5K IMHO. Then you put another $400 in it for a proper refinish and it's still worth a lot less than $2.5K because it's no longer even original. And if you pay less for a mediocre re-finish, the value goes down even more.

If you want a new looking nickel 44 TL, buy a doggie one that doesn't have any collector value and spend the $400 at Fords or Chicoine for a top notch restoration and even have the barrel cut to 5" or whatever length you desire. You'll have a gun worth what you have in it and you won't be de-valuing one with some collectability.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks everyone one . . . I'm inclined not to buy.

Rachel

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Rachel
Grande Torina