Triple Lock with inscription recently sold at auction. Two gun lot...

[mrcvs]

This is driving me crazy.

Does anyone recall a two gun lot, I think BOTH were Smith & Wessons. One was a Triple Lock in .455 Webley with an inscription. Very little research located the original owner and photographs of his grave in England, he having succumbed to a mortal wound in WWI. This was located as being at auction by a major or quasi-major auction house a few months ago. I obviously promptly forgot about this and cannot recall the auction house, description, and/or all that I researched. This one might have been converted to .45 Colt.

As I cannot find the listing, presumably it has since sold. Can anyone post the closed listing or recall more details than I can? Maybe a forum member now owns this revolver?

[red9]

I don't know if it's the same, but an inscribed .455 just sold at Morphy's, lot #1555.

Bob

[mrcvs]

Yes that's it! Inscribed R.E.T. Huddart. Along with the other revolver $1638 seems like a VERY good price. I suspect it might have been converted to .45 Colt. But maybe not...

I searched for this when the auction was ongoing and it didn't come up. I guess it has already sold and then it is somehow in limbo for awhile.

Without having examined these two in person, the hammer price seems very reasonable. Comments?

[mrcvs]

And here's the link:

Lot Detail - (C) Lot of 2: Pre-War N Frame British Stamped Smith & Wesson Double Action Revolvers.

The Triple Lock and a S & W 1917.

So this would have been $1300 plus 26% (TWENTY-SIX PERCENT!!!) Buyer's Premium. Add another 3% if you pay by credit card.

Check this out: Bidding FAQ - Morphy Auctions

"Is there a Buyer's Premium?" States 20%, which it WAS until this auction. Talk about truth in advertising, or whatever you call it. Agreed, not much difference on these revolvers, but if you are a high roller, and spend several hundred thousand, wouldn't you be the least bit ripped you are paying 6% more than you expected???

Then again, perhaps I am the last cheapskate ever to attend auctions anymore. Some of these auctions, I swear you could add in a 100% buyer's premium, and folks would just bid away exactly the same way...with complete disregard to any and all premiums.

[Watchdog]

I sorta smiled at the description of the Huddart revolver, as it says, "It is your basic, early Smith & Wesson Triple Lock Hand Ejector Model with blued finish, case colored hammer and trigger, and gold medallion diamond checkered walnut grips with lanyard ring."

I suppose I'm old fashioned, or a bit naive...or maybe I just have a lot of respect for the old Smiths, but to see the gun described as a "basic" anything just jumped out at me. I don't know, maybe collectors have become a bit jaded in 2018, and what I'd consider to be a real treasure is just another Triple Lock to guys with deep pockets.

I'd love to have a "basic" Triple Lock inscribed with a real soldier's name to give it some provenance, a bit of a history.

[mrcvs]

I like it a lot with the inscription. But I forgot until after the auction. Plus you would be amazed at how many top tier auction houses have no idea the difference between .455 Webley and a .45 Colt conversion.

[gdogs]

Great looking Triple Lock, and the 1917 ain't bad either. Even with the buyer's premium I'd still say that was a good deal - especially since those are my initials.