1st Model Triple Lock nickel with Steer Grips

[SWAMPMAN]

This is my first time posting. I have been an S&W shooter and accumulator all my adult life. I have a question.

About a year ago a very good friend of mine asked me to look for a first model triple lock for her husband a retired Sheriff's Deputy. I found one in excellent condition. It was for sale from the state surplus having been found in a safe deposit box were the best they can tell it has been sitting for 40 plus years. I viewed the gun and then had a local expert take a look. It was what it appeared. I bought the gun at auction.

The gun has turned out to be a real gem, so no problem there.

This gun is a nickel five inch, it has very unusual grips. They are made of pearl and carved to have a long horn steer. The steers eyes are red. The eyes were identified by a local gemologist as rubies. They are finely done.

I have located a triple lock that is identical to this one, grips and all. It is said to come from an estate. The gun is located 1000 or so miles from ours.

I just don't think this is a happenstance. Has anybody ever heard of a presentation gun like this. Maybe a group made up special?

Rest assured this is no I found the rarest gun of all in my basement baloney, just to get you guys talking. This is a real and honest request for info.

Thank you.

Jeff

 

[H Richard]

Pearl and/or Ivory grips carved with a steer-horn and ruby eyes are not uncommon. Many also had gold inlaid. Especially in the pre war years. You have a fairly expensive gun there, you will want to watch that Gunbroker auction to see what it brings and relate that value to your gun. (P.S. It is against the rules to post a reference to a live auction, so don't be surprised if that auction number is deleted).

Welcome to the Forum, hang around and you will see what you have been missing.

 

[weatherby]

Welcome to the forum.
If you look up Wolf and Klar you may see some similar grips

 

[handejector]

Welcome aboard.
On the 5" Triple Locks, Nickel is probably as common as blue. Maybe even more so. I have seen more nickel 5" than blue.
As others have said, Steerhead grips were quite popular.

So, with no provenance stating so, neither gun is likely related to the other, and neither gun was likely a presentation piece.

 

[SWAMPMAN]

Thank you guys. Lee are you the rifle guy? If so this got a little more interesting.

I found several photos of Wolf and Klar grips that look the same.


As I said before the Triple Lock was in a safe deposit box in southwestern Wisconsin for at least 40 years, based on bank records. In the safe deposit box was also an Elliot Derringer we would have got that also if we had known they were together.

 

[opoefc]

As Lee says, these carved pearl stocks with steer heads & rubbly eyes are not rare. I've owned, or looked at several hundred over the years. One thing I've noticed about Wolf & Klar guns ( both N and K frames ) with these grips is that the back side of the grips are often marked with straight grooves that looked very similar to Roman numerals. The meaning of these marks is undetermined. Ed.

 

[bruner1981]

Sounds like a beautiful gun! I'd love to see pictures if you have them

 

[Dan M]

here is a 4" t-lock all scratched up and Steerheads

 

[Pondoro]

Well now I need one...

 

[bruner1981]

Well now I need one...

You're not alone. This one is on my list now too. That gun is absolutely beautiful!