Value of 44 special reblued triple lock

[charlies]

Kicking the door at a local gunshow selling a 44 special triple lock with target sights and 6.5 inch barrel. Reblued some pitting (no picture) . Asking 1100.00. I don't have one in any condition and almost ready to jump.
Do I or do I save my money?
TIA Charlie

[Muley Gil]

I'm not a high class collector. I collect shooters. Since there aren't many target TLs out there, I think it would be worthwhile, if in good (NOT over polished, corners rounded over etc) condition.

You do know, this is a forum full of enablers, don't ya???

[delta-419]

I too, collect shooter grade guns. Triple Locks are getting as scares as hens teeth in any condition. The price is reasonable for a shooter in good mechanical condition and if the re-blue is not over polished, as previously stated. As the population of collectors grows the number of available TLs diminishes and prices go up. Buy now and save because in just a year or two they will most likely be less to choose from and much more expensive. I use to buy Lugers at $300-400 each, that does not exist any more. I now have 6 triple locks in my collection and half are refinished. Go for it !!!

[moosedog]

As long as it's a decent reblue, go for it. How many more do you think your going to run into? Most people never seen one except in a picture.

[robertrwalsh]

I agree with the three above. If the condition is decent I would take it. I also collect shooters, not safe queens. Offer $1k, but go for 1.1 if that's what it takes and if that's what you want.

[Modified]

Some Pitting scares me. I hear that and I can't imagine a good reblue of a gun that still has pitting on it. I'd say that's pretty high for a gun that still has pitting even though it has been reblued. You can find Triple Locks from time to time if you look hard online.

[JohnRippert]

Pitting would put me off as well. I actually like a well worn finish on a revolver as long as it was taken care of.

[SDH]

I'd be more concerned that it was a factory adjustable sight and not an aftermarket conversion sight installation. Triple locks frequently had sights added, often not appropriately, or very well done.

[Hondo44]

That would not be a hard decision for me!

Besides everything said above, recognize TL Targets are estimated at 10% of 44 TL production of a little over 15000. That's only 1500 targets!

Are you familiar with a factory target installation of the TL period? The rear sight is stamped with a matching serial # to the gun on the underneath side. Of course it must be removed with the front screw to see it. The sight, if proper vintage, has only one elevation screw.

Sometimes pitting can be too deep to completely remove regardless of how well it was refinished. That would not deter me if the polishing and refinish is otherwise decently done. Are the barrel roll markings and/or the logo on left frame side still visible or severely 'washed out'.

If you are not interested in it. I would sincerely appreciate contact information of the seller.

Correct factory target sights:

[jebstuart]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

That would not be a hard decision for me.

If you are not interested in it. I would sincerely appreciate contact information of the seller.

What he said.

[charlies]

Ill let you know what was paid for it when the show opens...

[reddog81]

If the reblue is good, the target sights are orginal and the gun functions properly I'd have no problem offering $1,000 and even settling around 1,100.

If the pitting is significant, sights are aftermarket and the lock up isn't 100% I'd think twice about it and probably walk away.

[charlies]

Revolver is missing rear sight blade. How difficult is it to find a replacement? Waiting on a reply before I jump.

[Eddie Southgate]

If I was there with the cash in hand it would go home with me.

Eddie

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by charlies

Revolver is missing rear sight blade. How difficult is it to find a replacement? Waiting on a reply before I jump.

Definitely not difficult enough to be a deal breaker! But good for a point of price negotiation.

[LLOYD17]

Bought a non-factory refinished TLT for $1150 last year with a replaced rear sight. Still glad to have it in the safe and would do it again.

[charlies]

By the time I had the answers I wanted from this forum the seller left the show...early. Now working via phone. Stay tuned.

[charlies]

Still questioning how easy will it be to get the rear sight blade?

[nmcollektor]

I'd like to jumpstart this thread, if I could.

I have the chance to buy a Triple Lock, (2nd model I think) that has been no reblued, but nickeled (or renickeled if the seller is correct).

It looks in excellent original shape (smooth action and trigger) except for the refinish and non-original grips. Is $650 a good deal on it?

[murphydog]

There was only one TL model; the 2nd model .44 HE didn't have the yoke lock or the shrouded ejector rod. It depends on the quality of the refinish and its mechanical condition but it would have to be a fairly nice 2nd model at $650. Photos would help here.

[rct269]

Originally Posted by charlies

Revolver is missing rear sight blade. How difficult is it to find a replacement? Waiting on a reply before I jump.

The rear sight blade is either a flat blade, or more likely a flat blade with a cylindrical base. (l'd look to be sure, but I don't know how long you can wait.) Either way, making a replacement is child's play---especially if a flat blade.

If a flat blade with a cylindrical base, a slightly more talented child is called for. The blade is still child's play. The base is made from an appropriate diameter roll pin: Whack off the appropriate length (I can provide the dimensions.) and affix the blade to the base (solder). The really nice part of all this is the blade is located by the slot in the roll pin.

Ralph Tremaine

That's your one and only option as far as I'm concerned. Yes, you can wait around for an original to surface---just as you can wait around for hell to freeze over. The blade thickness is likely .030"---or whatever standard stock size is (mine measures .028"). I can give you a "no minimum order" source for the metal. You may have to thin the metal stock, but that's doable with or without the the fancy machine tools. (I don't know the dimensions of standard metal stock.) At any rate, as noted, I can give you all the dimensions you need. Bottom Line: It doesn't have to be EXACTLY the same as an original---it merely has to fit and work.

And as an aside, assuming the original is flat blade with cylindrical base, a flat blade can be made to work--simply by altering the adjusting screws. The original screws are flat nosed---later screws are pointed. And having said that, a flat blade would work with flat nosed screws, simply by changing the base design of the flat blade. Given that all this is about as clear as mud, it will become much simpler with illustrations.

[younggun22]

lots "IF's" surrounding this TL. Could be a great piece or a $1100 botched hack job...

[THE PILGRIM]

I have never seen a Triple Lock Factory Target revolver.
Not sure if I would buy it, would sure would like to see it!
I own a 2nd Model, 3rd Model- 1926 , and a Fourth Model -pre 24 - all target models.

[THE PILGRIM]

Originally Posted by nmcollektor

I'd like to jumpstart this thread, if I could.

I have the chance to buy a Triple Lock, (2nd model I think) that has been no reblued, but nickeled (or renickeled if the seller is correct).

It looks in excellent original shape (smooth action and trigger) except for the refinish and non-original grips. Is $650 a good deal on it?

Is it a Triple Lock or a 2nd Model HE? What caliber?
Do you live in NM?
Carefully read what Murphydog posted.
Yes'm we need a picture.

[jsfricks]

Several of the answers above is why you need to start your own thread. Many posters are answering the original thread from last year. Start another thread with your question and you'll get a lot more help.

Originally Posted by nmcollektor

I'd like to jumpstart this thread, if I could.

I have the chance to buy a Triple Lock, (2nd model I think) that has been no reblued, but nickeled (or renickeled if the seller is correct).

It looks in excellent original shape (smooth action and trigger) except for the refinish and non-original grips. Is $650 a good deal on it?

[Kinman]

A Triplelock is very rare in this area, I only see them online. I passed on a very nice refinished TL that was on one of David's auctions awhile back and am still kicking myself. A TL or RM are the only two that I would consider spending the big money to have put right if I found one that was rough enough to be cheap enough...I recently picked up a very nice 2nd Model that had been factory upgraded with target sights, using S&W micro sights circa '67, it was also factory refinished. I paid right around a grand for that one and would pay that much for a TL that had been similarly "abused" and be laughing all the way. I like shooter grade revolvers as much as the next guy, I do like them when they look good, I don't mind a little honest wear at the usualy holster areas, muzzle, etc. and really don't mind if the correct grips are worn from honest use except when they were used to drive in tacks on wanted posters, but pitting tends to turn me off, especially on nickel...I learned a valuable lesson about that last year.

[rct269]

Originally Posted by jsfricks

Several of the answers above is why you need to start your own thread. Many posters are answering the original thread from last year. Start another thread with your question and you'll get a lot more help.

Yeah---and I'm one of them! I wonder if I'll ever live that one down?!!

There's dumb, then dumb as a rock, and then--------------------------!!!!

Ralph Tremaine

[SDH]

Originally Posted by rct269

Yeah---and I'm one of them! I wonder if I'll ever live that one down?!!

There's dumb, then dumb as a rock, and then--------------------------!!!!

Ralph Tremaine

You said, but I'd have to agree...:>)

[nmcollektor]

Originally Posted by THE PILGRIM

Is it a Triple Lock or a 2nd Model HE? What caliber?
Do you live in NM?
Carefully read what Murphydog posted.
Yes'm we need a picture.

Thanks very much for the feedback, everyone.

Yes, it's a triple lock in 44 Special. I live in Albuquerque.

I don't have pics, unfortunately. Once I do, I'll start a new thread.

[JSR III]

What I always wonder when I read a thread like this is, WHAT HAPPENED??? OP, did you buy it or not?????