This 44 Special looks to have served faithfully for a hundred years and feels like it is ready for hundreds more. There are many wear areas and battle scars that present like an old gunfighter face. The 1st model HE is solid, sure and scary! It certainly looks like it will do the job, all by itself, if given the chance. Whom ever the previous caretaker was, loved the 44 enough to scribe their initials GTO into the left side of the grip frame with an electric pencil. They also stamped GTO into the right stock panel. Both markings are out of sight when assembled. I am pretty sure it does not stand for gas, tires, and oil in this instance. That said, I may go ahead and name this one the GOAT.

All of the GOAT's SNs match, with the possible exception of the stocks. They may match, but I cannot see all of it. There is pitting on the the grip frame that needs mitigation. The nickel has a very nice cloudy patina, but there are several areas of surface rust that need addressed. I wonder if it is possible to just address those areas and leave the patina, or is it best just to polish everything out?

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Matthew Conrad

The old fluting sure is more aesthetic than the current effort. Thanks for sharing this lovely gun

Wow

Wow

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"Free dirt, you dig."

That sure has genuine character!
Nickel normally doesn't age gracefully, but yours is the exception.
It's always nice to see prominent and full rollmarks, a still tight sideplate fit, and nice sharp edges and defined lines....all hallmarks of an original finish!

I'm curious to know how the bore looks?

Thanks for the nice photos!

Very very cool Triple Lock. If this is a recent pick up congratulations. It looks familiar but I might be confused.
Myself..I would treat any active rust and leave the patina. I very gently use a little oil and bronze wool. Others may disagree but I think character is a good thing.

Great old .44! Wipe with a little oil and a soft cloth, then shoot & enjoy!

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Tim
SWCA #2697

Your gun reminds me of “Old Crusty “. It came to me from the late Charlie Sides. It now resides with another S&WCA member.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Tim
SWCA #2697

That is a real beauty. As to the rust issue I think you either have to address it overall or leave it be. I know which way I would go your gun your decision...

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Randy

Tim, I sure do like Old Crusty. I am overly excited to send some lead downrange!

mchom, it was a recent a pick up.

6string, the bore has some corrosion also.

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Matthew Conrad

Much more interesting than a safe queen!

I would happily shoot that with some soft coated projectiles at factory specs.

Sorry- Double Tap

Here's mine. Letters shipped to New Orleans and Nickel. Was chrome plated later and fitted with carved Ivory. Then carried a bunch.

Attached Images

Triple Lock .44.jpg (96.9 KB, 93 views)

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

While we're on 5" TLs, here's mine. It too has been there and done than later becoming the 30th anniversary gift from my wife. The jigged bone with rhinestone grips are just perfect in my book.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

LEO918, hot digety dog! What is not to love? Send her my way and I can have one for each hand!

Randy, what a darling, both of them must be! You are a blessed man. I love those stocks. I may have to try out some stags on mine tomorrow 🤔?

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Matthew Conrad

Charlie was a good guy for sure!

One of the best!

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Another salute for Charlie Sides!

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Randy
Provenance nerd

Ok, so we might throw in a few 5" TL revolvers squirrelled away. Here's mine, dressed up in KB Ropers:







I posted it at this link: S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model #1103

I can't believe it was over 10 years ago.

Curly

You can address the rust issue with electrolysis. I have used this method on many nickel finished guns like Colt & Smith & Wesson revolvers,(not blue finished guns)!. Youtube videos are available to show you how to do it. One tablespoon of super washing soda per gallon of water works very well for me. It destroys rust without damaging the nickel finish.

Welcome to the Forum.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The electrolysis suggestion is intriguing---which is to say I don't know the first thing about it; but the predicted results are pretty much the same as to be achieved by what I was going to suggest---and it just might take less time and effort---"better living through chemistry".

That goes like this: Polish? No---clean. My favorite, never mind blue or nickel, is bronze wool (0000--maybe 000) and some oil (any sort of oil). Any and all plain old dirt will be gone. The rust specks will be gone. It won't hurt to go over any remaining funky areas again. A stiff bristle bronze "tooth brush" from Birchwood Casey (??) (and some oil) will tend to areas hard to reach with bronze wool.

Will that transform it into a safe queen? Not hardly! It will transform it into a rode hard and put up wet old gun that's had a good dose of tender loving care.

Ralph Tremaine

Here are my 2 five inchers.
The one on the right is the safe queen, the other one is the shooter.

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A Future and A Hope.

A friend of mine uses Kroil and 100% copper Chore Boy pads to remove rust from the finish...

AND-------if you find the "lead in barrel" thread in the Notable Thread Index in this section of the forum, you'll find out how to get the lead OUT of the barrel------with Chore Boy pads too---never mind you'll need to mess with the pad a little before it's ready for that duty. The good news is your barrels (and cylinder chambers too) will be the cleanest you've ever seen!!

AND----it's so damn easy you won't believe it!!

Ralph Tremaine

I agree with the use of copper mesh for cleaning, particularly taking lead out of a barrel. But watch out! I found a lot of products being offered that are in fact, steel mesh that is copper plated. Try with a magnet to make sure.

Curly

Thank you Ralph for the lead removal search suggestion. I was able to find it. lead in barrel

Fantastic writing and instructions. Unfortunately, I have been delayed in completing the process, as I am currently in the Emergency Room awaiting treatment. I should have listened to Casey when she said "Absolutely not!". Do you think it is safe for me to tell these people from the Dept of Protective Services what happened? Maybe I can sneak my daughters safety scissors out ?

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Matthew Conrad

You have a nice old TL with lots of character! I have not been fortunate enough yet to find and add a TL to my modest collection, but would certainly like to someday. I think I prefer the 6-1/2" bbl., but I'd snatch up a 5" if I came across it. As others have commented, I'm not sure if that's bore corrosion or mostly just lead fouling. It would definitely be worth cleaning the bore to see what's really going on (I don't think that I'd want to shoot it as it is now). Have fun cleaning up that old warhorse, and please post some pics whenever you finish. Enjoy!

Brother Conrad notes he's been delayed "in completing the process". Assuming the process in question is getting the lead out of the barrel, an explanatory note: The process noted removes any and everything in the barrel right down to bare steel. My take on the photo of his Triple Lock barrel is it's pitted. That being the case, the process is going to remove any and everything down to the TOP of the pits-----but nothing below the top.

I've never had a pitted barrel, and have no clue about how to go about cleaning out the pits. I suppose some sort of lead solvent would be involved---assuming there is such a thing---other than in name only. I also suppose sending lead bullets down an entirely clean pitted bore is going to fill the pits right back up with more lead. Needless to say, my supposition is born of ignorance as noted-----but it makes sense---to me, at any rate.

Ralph Tremaine

Ralph, the only “lead solvent” I have ever heard of is Mercury. I never had enough of it to see if there is any truth to the story.

That one looks like it was carried. to guard some stills, and used and shot....with some real character there.

classic look. and grips to go with it. with a ivory handled dagger.