I've only ever seen one Triple Lock in person and bought it, but I admit I don't know much about them. I haven't had time to have it lettered, but I was wondering if anyone could please enlighten me in the following areas:

1. I've heard that 5" Triple Locks are less common than other barrel lengths. Does anyone know production by barrel length for this model? This one appears to be factory 5", as all the top barrel markings are centered between the front sight and the frame.

2. Are these stocks correct for the gun? They are unnumbered, but fit it perfectly.

3. Is SN 1451 likely to be first year production? The seller said it was, but didn't have a letter and I've procrastinated on buying the Standard Catalog too long....

Pictures are below. Thanks in advance!

I suggest you request a Factory Letter and make sure you include as many "High Quality" photographs as you can. Close-up Photos of the entire gun including such areas as the inside of the Stocks, Back of the Cylinder and under the Extractor and both sides of the Frame with the Stocks removed. Of course, Photos of any and all markings on the gun should be included.

By the serial number this would indeed seem to be a first year of production gun but I "believe" that those early 1st Model H.E. Triple Locks were equipped with the Gold Medallion Stocks. And they would be numbered to the gun unless they were replaced at some point which may account for the lack of number and Medallions.

At present, Roy has something like 600 letter requests sitting on his desk and so it will take some time to get a reply.

Mike

Thanks, KKG. I have two other guns that need lettering, too - a 1950 Target and a late 40s K22.

I read somewhere that the medallion service stocks weren't available until 1910. That is why I thought these might be original, even without the serial number on them. Of course, I could be all wet, or whoever wrote what I read could be all wet, etc.

Thanks again!

That may be True because the date for this serial number should put it in 1908 but I would still expect them to be Numbered to the Gun. Letter time.

Mike

Those should be the right stocks. The first couple years of production
preceeded the medallion stocks.

Its curious that those stocks appear to show a lot less wear than the rest of
the gun. From the pictures of the gun, I would have expected the checkering to
be a lot more worn.

The more I look at the pictures I think those are not an original pair of stocks.
The left panel looks original, has the right coloring, and fits nicely. The
right panel does not match the left panel, grain wise, is a much darker color,
and the very leading edge of the front grip strap is visible. It doesn't
fit properly there. I think this right panel may be a replacement, which could
be why it is not numbered. It is the right panel that is numbered.

Later, Mike Priwer

Thanks for the info, Mike. When I bought it, I thought the difference in appearance between the two panels was because of carry wear. One panel being up against a body and the other exposed could certainly cause the two panels to wear differently. Just a thought that made sense to me at the time, but yours does, too.

By the way, both grip panels fit the gun near perfectly. The picture makes that right panel look like it leaves some proud metal, but you can't even feel that metal when running your finger over the joint. The very top front corner of the right panel has a tiny, tiny chip that exposes a bit of metal. Even if this panel is not original to the gun, it was either fit to the gun by an expert or someone got very lucky with their replacement panel.

Thanks again, Mike!

cubrock; you ARE correct, as far as the grips. The "gold medallions" did NOT come out until circa 1910. The early N frames and early K frames used medallion conVEX grips until the 1920's, then non medallion conVEX grips were used until circa 1930. Yours are "scarce" grips, especially for the N Frames (T.L.'s) being only used for around 2-3 years, but concave grips for the early K frames, aren't e-z to locate either.

I have T.L. #4314, and it had the concave non medallions. Keep in mind that these #'s were written in lead pencil, and may have worn off in a century. Sometimes, using a bright light and turning the grips will "locate" a faint pencil number.

Interesting that the grips on your gun are in great shape, showing no sign of holster/carry wear. Many older guns will show more wear on right grip due to being carried in a right handed holster and grip "rubbing" things: May well have been a full flap holster, as the finish loss is consistent with holster wear.

5" are "rarer" than 6.5", but not as rare or 4", or 7.5"(#4314 is a 7.5" fix sight, but with more wear than yours)in fixed sighted, T.L.'s



A very excellent gun you have, and just my opinion, and I would enjoy shooting it with factory level 246 gr. loads, or equivalent handloads.

But a letter will be interesting!

Bud

Lonewolf, thank you! I had forgotten that the early grips were numbered in pencil. I was looking for stamped numbering. I removed them again and the right grip is, indeed, numbered to the gun. It just took getting it in good light. No number on the right panel, though.

cubrock,

That's a nice one. I really like the patina. That gun is probably a hundred years old this year and it shows that it was properly used. It certainly hasn't been abused. I doubt that many of us will have that much original finish when we cross the century threshold.

Only a letter will tell the actual shipping date but just to give you a point of reference, TL #2001 shipped on June 1, 1908.

The first year production guns should have the non-monogramed stocks.

Congratulations.
Bob

Great score! I like that old gun. The 5", I think, CAN be considered rare. Yeah, the 4" and 7-1/2 are rarer, but the 5" does not come along often.
I have seen the two-yone effect on grips before on guns that have been used hard. The right one is the one exposed to bumps, sun, wind-blown sand and grit and rain, rubbuing and sweat from the arm, etc. The finish goes first on the right one, and it oxidises more. Notice the pic again of the BOTTOMS- they DO match in color.
And, as pointed out, you won't see STAMPED numbers on HE grips till the very late 20's.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Very nice gun. Looks like some oldtime lawman was tacking up wanted posters with it. You will have to think up a good story. John

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John. SWCA #1586

cubrock, I can't see the locking lug in the second picture. Is it missing or is the cylinder slightly open?

Nich gun.

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OFT/NRA LIFE MEMBER

It is there. You can barely see it peeking out.

Hey Steve...you've got a very nice one there. I'm envious. I bet you can feel the vibes when you pick it up.

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C & L

Nice find! Nice, clean gun with all the right stuff. I personally am most fond of the 5" barrel length in the N frames; they just feel better, somehow. I'm jealous!

MikeyL
S&WCA #2010

Hey Cubrock,
My 5-inch Triple Lock looks exactly like yours, very similar condition and the stocks are identical. I guess they should be, the S/N on my Triple Lock is 1446, just 5 revolvers below yours.

Catcher,

That is way cool! It would be interesting to know the different lives they led after leaving the factory, wouldn't it?

It would be nice to know the history of such fine, old revolvers. Have you lettered your Triple Lock? I believe I have lettered mine, I am going to check and see if I can find it this weekend. If I can find my letter, I'll let you know the info I have on my 5-inch TL.

I haven't lettered it yet. I've got the paperwork here, but haven't had time to send it out yet. Hope to rectify that today!

Cubrock I have a 5 inch Triple lock that is about a hundred numbers later than yours. It has the gold medallion grips. According to Neal & Jinks book Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 the Triple lock had monograms in the stock circles. On page 201 of this book there is a picture of Mr. Jinks low number Triple Lock with monogram stocks. I am not sure how rare the 5 inch barrel is on these guns. I just know they are not one of the more common lengths. We both need to get our guns lettered.

__________________
too TOO young!!

Hey Cubrock.
The letter on my 5-inch TL states that it was shipped from the factory on October 30, 1911 to Haley K & Finn Co., but the remainer of the address was unreadable. The letter indicates my revolver, S/N 1446 was shipped with a 5-inch barrel, blue finish and checkered walnut grips. It doesn't say anything about a medallion inset in the grips. Hope this helps. You wouldn't happen to know anything about the Haley K & Finn Co. would you?

Catcher,

That is a later ship date than I would have guessed for your gun. I've not heard of Haley K & Finn Co. If you find out, I'd love to hear who they were. I like learning the history of where these older guns went. It is very interesting.

Now that’s interesting! I have Smith & Wesson Triple Lock serial number 1451 in my possession having obtained it from Charlie Sides a few years ago. Charlie was a good man. The letter sent to him in 2020 states this revolver was shipped to E K Tryon Co, Philadelphia, in 1913???

I’ll send Don an email and see what he says.

Attached Images

IMG_1911.jpg (77.7 KB, 14 views)

My triple lock, with 6.5" barrel, serial 5654 was shipped
11-7-1911, checkered diamond square butt walnut stocks.
No mention of medallions.

This one went to Hartley, Stalckhauer & Fay Co. New York City