The only reason I think this one may be correct as it was once owned by Ray Cheely, of "Cheely quality".

The serial number applied within the 4" barrel does make me question if it is factory original, or not. The location is incorrect, the "B" prefix to indicate that it is blued is absent, and the numbers appear to be from the same or similar dies, but it could just be the photograph.

I did not follow closely enough to see what this one hammered at.

Thoughts?

https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...r#LotNumber492

Comments, anyone?

Not sure if I am correct or wildly off the mark.

ahhh 10 to 18K.... WOW. Sold Dec 4th cant find hammer price.

Well, continuing with the Cheely quality theme, I once experienced a straight up even trade with Ray----mine for his. To say his examination and evaluation was thorough would be a gross understatement----"picky, picky, picky" comes to mind. If it lived at the Cheely residence, it's good stuff.

Ralph Tremaine

And those are all the combined reasons why I don't have a triple lock in a nutshell . And I'm not expecting to ever have one. Not in this life time. But at least I have fired one(from a friend who is not selling).

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Expect the unexpected

Let's say there was no connection to Ray Cheely, then would you think it was correct?

Does someone else own a similar 2 barrel set of which they are willing to post photographs of?

If this shipped originally with a 4" barrel, then why a different composition to the serial number and a different location?

I'm skeptical, to say the least!

Again, if not once owned by Ray Cheely, I would definitely think not factory original, or, at the very least, it did not originally ship this way.

Anyone know what the hammer price was?

Looking at it as regular folks might----or at least some regular folks, it seems an unlikely thing for which to spend one's money. Let's consider real life for a moment: We want a 6" gun and a 4" gun. Okay, do we buy a 6" gun and a 4" gun, or do we buy one or the other and a spare barrel? Before you answer, consider for just a wee bit what's involved in changing over from one barrel to the other-------and back again at some point----and back again, again----and again---and again. Is that a convenient process? Is it the best use of one's time----or money (as would be the case for most who are neither equipped nor inclined to change the barrel themselves)?

Now that I've considered it for just a wee bit, there's no way in hell I'm buying one gun and a spare barrel--------what's the point?

At such time as the prices realized becomes available I'm inclined to suspect this package either sold below the low estimate or not at all.

But then there's real life---and there ain't no accounting for some folks' taste!!

Ralph Tremaine

The B prefix in the 4" bbl is there., It's missing in the 6 1/2" bbl isn't it?


Or have I once again mixed up the pics again!!

The 6 1/2 ( the one w/o the B) has some nasty marks in the ejector nob cut-out of the shroud. Plus the holes in the front area of the shroud look like the pins were removed (disassembled).
Maybe it was once an un#'d Factory replacement bbl & used on another gun. Then taken off and placed with this 4" gun and then #'d to match it.

I don't really buy the 'two bbl set' thing when it comes to these. As rct269 points out,,Not exactly like switching bbls on an 870.

Nice to have an extra tube for a TL if you are a tinker'r. But I wouldn't pay any more extra for the extra 6 1/2 bbl. The 4" TL should about empty most peoples wallet as it is.

Ralph,

EXACTLY! A two barrel set of a Merwin & Hulbert revolver, which twist off easily, is not exactly a rare occurrence. A legitimate set for a Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector is a bit more of a stretch, which is what I also thought, and did not mention, but further calls into question the credibility of this revolver. Also, I would guess by now, after more than a century since being issued, that most of these would have wrench marks on the barrel, as it is inevitable that many who would want to switch out the barrels would take the "Bubba" approach.

Also, it's a 4" and a 6 1/2" barrel length being discussed. Although mentioned in the literature, I've never come across a true Triple Lock revolver with a 6" barrel and even asking Roy Jinks, he says he never has, either.

Good catch! Now that I look at the photographs, it IS the 6 1/2" barrel that has the questionable serial number and not the 4" barrel. I assumed that the revolver started out with the more common barrel length and someone obtained a 4" barrel along the way and created this set. Simply because the 6 1/2" barrel length is far, far more common than the 4" length, and the odds are a revolver starts out with a 6 1/2" barrel. That leads to an interesting point: I guess it's easier to locate a spare 6 1/2" barrel and add it to your existing 4" barrel, rather than the other way around.

Does anyone know what this one hammered at? I value it as a really nice Triple Lock with a 4" barrel plus the value of an extra 6 1/2" barrel, whatever that might be. I don't know, is a 6 1/2" barrel worth $300 +/-???

AND, a spare barrel for a Triple Lock is only of value should you need one, which would uncommonly be the case--and then the revolver is no longer factory original.

Hammer price was $7500, which is supposed to be too low for the condition of the gun.

Look closely at the font used for the serial number on both barrels. Its completely different. Also, read the factory letter - there were ~10 guns in the shipment, and not one word about their being extra barrels for any of them.

I believe that the second barrel was made up later, and serial numbered to the frame at that time. There is no evidence that it was shipped with the gun.

This gun was too low in price. But, another bizarre mispricing happen with the very next lot - 493. This gun is a 1905 32-20 target, high condition, taken by Victor Wesson.This gun was estimated at 7000 - 12000, but in my view, is no more than a $5000 gun, if that much. Hamer price is $22,500! That is total nonsense.

What's more curious is that it, obviously, took at least two bidders to get the price that high. Not only is there one buyer who has a very different sense of value but two buyers! Victor Wesson was a grandson of DB Wesson, and was in charge of quality control. Is that worth $22,500? I don't think so.

Regards, Mike Priwer

$7500. Suggests others were suspicious, and that seems high to me. I valued it at $5000 to $6000. Probably what it would have hammered at anywhere else--and then there's Rock Island Auction!

I saw this listing a few weeks ago and was amazed at the appraised value in the listing. I figured a triple lock with an original 4" barrel would bring a sizable premium but not to the extent shown. In my opinion, RIA does seem to feel confident in their starting minimum opening bid and their appraisals in many of their items. I often think of the appraisals in particularly as rather as very optimistic.

I did not think there would be much of a premium for the spare 6 & 1/2" barrel; although it is of value. It does give me pause to consider if my spare NOS Pre-Model 26 barrel would add value to the revolver if I sold them together. I rather doubt it. LOL

I am often skeptical about claims made by Rock Island. They come up with some great stuff but lots of comments by folks who have believed them and later been disappointed in what they got.

So why is it that folks get more drunk on Rock Island's wine as compared with anyone else?

Rock Island Auction really does seem to get the best guns, especially now that James Julia was bought out by Morphy’s. But because of my past experiences buying from them and things I know from friends, I haven’t made a serious attempt on one of their items for quite a few years. I just don’t feel integrity is their strong suit.

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SWHF #691

What you say is what I have noted from others as well. I, as well, gave up on attempting to purchase anything from them and this was years ago as well.

I'm not really sure what Morphy's buying out Julia's accomplished???? Morphy's does about the same volume and it seems like Rock Island grew exponentially.

Morphy's also now owns the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show. One of my old time favorites, not what it used to be.

In 1917, Smith & Wesson sometimes got sloppy with regards to recording barrel lengths as they cleaned up Triple Lock revolver inventory. I have one such nickel Triple Lock revolver with a 4” barrel that’s right as rain but no barrel length is specified in the records. The correct placement and font tells me this originally left with a 4” barrel. The 6 1/2” barrel being the most common makes the addition of a spurious one relatively easy.

Also, mine with the 4” barrel has the three line barrel address, as this one does, which is correct.

Also, here’s another thread from 2012 in which this revolver was the subject matter of the thread:

Triple Lock with two barrels

My thoughts on the gun-
As Mike said, the font is different on the barrel numbers. Correct. However, I don't think the guys in the Service Dept ran down to the barrel fitting shop to borrow number stamps when a gun came in to get a new barrel OR an extra barrel. They had their own set of stamps.

I think "spurious" is a bit strong. My first assumption would be that the gun was returned to S&W and had the extra barrel fitted. We have seen other guns with an extra barrel fitted by S&W. Maybe the barrel was fitted years later when numbers were normally placed in the middle of the shroud. Maybe the Ser Dept just didn't go to the trouble to number it in that tiny space. I have often wondered why they did that!
I'm not sure S&W would put service marks on a gun if they were only fitting a new barrel. They aren't actually doing anything to the gun itself. Also, if Shapleigh had an order from a customer that wanted one with two barrels and they sent this gun back when new, they would certainly NOT want service marks on it.
Ray was extremely picky- obsessive in the best way. I do not think he could have stood owning something he did not believe was correct.
The numbers are under the blue, and the blue appears to be righteous Factory original blue. So, while no proof is available that shows it is a Factory fitted barrel, there is certainly nothing visible in the quality of the barrel to label it "spurious".

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Yes, the 6 1/2” barrel is factory, that’s not debatable. I thought someone had an extra barrel and affixed serial numbers in the shroud, either just to match or for spurious purposes, but being done by the factory in a situation such as you describe, seems more likely. But not worth, at least to me, the money it will likely bring.

Hammer price $17,000. Makes it about $21,590 with buyer's premium and tax. Someone liked it a lot.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

OK to post a link to a CLOSED auction.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model Triple Lock DA Revolver | Rock Island Auction

Thanks Jeff. That gun is in AMAZING condition. Definitely Ray Cheely quality all the way. I am sure that whomever won that one is smiling the BIG smile!

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

As I watched it sell, if I had the money I would have bought it at that price without thinking twice

Its a great gun, I liked it a lot too, although maybe not $21k worth.

On the other hand, I'm pretty happy with this Triple Lock that was less than a quarter of the price of that one. Refinished at the mothership in September of 1952, and has I think, stocks which aren't correct for 1909 production (maybe Mr. Jarrett will part with a set of the correct ones). It will do as my only Triple Lock target until something better comes along.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Looks like it belonged to a member here once upon a time, Gripper. He checked in yesterday, as I type this. Maybe he'll see this zombie thread and chime in with his thoughts.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

$19,975 before sales tax, shipping, and FFL fees. Significantly overpriced IMHO, but IMHO probably isn’t worth 2 cents these days.

S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model Triple Lock DA Revolver | Rock Island Auction

I bought a mint TL about fifteen years ago for $6500. 4-inch, blue, in the original box. I should have kept it. I think this one sold for the listed amount because it was a mint example of a TL. Personally, I don't think the extra barrel had much to do with it.

Bill