You have a very nice TL with serial 689. I am not sure about the MOP grips being original, but they are configured correctly for the early TLs (concave knuckles with no medallions). My collection includes TL serial x4 (not a club gun) which has matching checkered walnut grips with the same concave knuckles and no medallions - like the well used but not abused Target TL 942 also shown in this thread.
1st Year S&W .44 Triple Lock - Serial #689; Factory Lettered, on Page 4
- Thread starter jsmith
- Start date
44wheelman
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- Feb 2, 2006
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jsmith, congrats! Condition is everything, & that gun has got it. I know how difficult it is to find 'em that nice in Ohio (at a realistic price).
Two-Page Factory Letter - 3/12/2010
The letter just arrived in the mail exactly one month after I mailed it out.
To protect my privacy and to discourage any offers on buying my guns, I used a small piece of black paper to cover up my name and address on the letter.
Here is Page 1 of that letter:
Here is Page 2 of that letter:
I was right about the grips being after-market. After-market pearls generally have a thinner profile than ones made at the factory. My next project is to find the correct grips for my gun. The bad thing is vintage N-frame checkered walnut grips with the flat tops are not easy to find! And the cost can easily run into a few hundred dollars.
MORE NEWS!!!
This Triple Lock is about to be joined by another one.
I was just at a gunshow this weekend and a dealer there I know just got in three Triple Lock's (a rare find). Just put a down payment on the nicest one and will be picking it up some time this month or next.
jsmith
The letter just arrived in the mail exactly one month after I mailed it out.
To protect my privacy and to discourage any offers on buying my guns, I used a small piece of black paper to cover up my name and address on the letter.
Here is Page 1 of that letter:
Here is Page 2 of that letter:
I was right about the grips being after-market. After-market pearls generally have a thinner profile than ones made at the factory. My next project is to find the correct grips for my gun. The bad thing is vintage N-frame checkered walnut grips with the flat tops are not easy to find! And the cost can easily run into a few hundred dollars.
MORE NEWS!!!
This Triple Lock is about to be joined by another one.
I was just at a gunshow this weekend and a dealer there I know just got in three Triple Lock's (a rare find). Just put a down payment on the nicest one and will be picking it up some time this month or next.
jsmith
For the record, SN 590:
james56
US Veteran
awesume find good luck with it
dant:
I knew my gun would meet your seal of approval when I showed it to you at the show. It's to bad my digital camera has low resolution in taking pictures.
As for the grips, I suspected they were after-market when I bought the gun and the factory letter confirmed it. Now I just have to find the correct set of grips for it. And being an N-frame, a bit costly!
jsmith
jsmith,
I wouldn't spend a lot of time or money looking for the correct wood for that gun if it were mine. When you find it, it will be correct as far as the style goes, but it will no more be the original than the beautiful pearls that are already on it. They were what the user chose to "dress up" his piece and that would be fine with me. Just to let you know that you wouldn't be alone in that decision, here are a couple that I have left as I found them. One is an early 2nd Model nickel with ivory and the other is a first year 1st Model blue with ivory. Both the ivorys are contemporary with the guns.
Bob
I wouldn't spend a lot of time or money looking for the correct wood for that gun if it were mine. When you find it, it will be correct as far as the style goes, but it will no more be the original than the beautiful pearls that are already on it. They were what the user chose to "dress up" his piece and that would be fine with me. Just to let you know that you wouldn't be alone in that decision, here are a couple that I have left as I found them. One is an early 2nd Model nickel with ivory and the other is a first year 1st Model blue with ivory. Both the ivorys are contemporary with the guns.
Bob
Pontiaker
Member
I might have a factory set of the correct grips, send me an email if your interested and I will dig through the grips I have. If I do have the right ones you can have them for a fair price or we can trade something out.
Matt
My email is [email protected]
Matt
My email is [email protected]
Congrats on the TL. I know the exhilaration you felt having finally just acquired one. It's been over thirty years since I last held and shot one and always wanted one. Finally found a 6.5" .44 blue with considerable holster wear on the cylinder and small nicks on the bottom of the grips and frame from probably sitting down with holstered gun and banging it into something. Other than that it's unreal. Bluing great and bore immaculate, almost like new. I paid far more than I ever have for a revolver and maybe too much, but the pleasure of finally having a TL after decades of wanting one is worth it. I am glad to finally be joining your ranks as an owner of one of the finest revolvers ever made.
First Year Triple Lock
My compliments for acquiring a very nice first year Triple Lock with most all its original Nickel finish. I am very novice when it comes to the Triple Lock but stumbled on one of the first models from seemingly close to the last years they shipped. This one shipped in July, 1916. The finish is really good except for the barrel which has lost a percentage of bluing on each side and this revolver is wearing stags also of the period with the dished tops. This seems to be an engineering masterpiece which indicates the Old American Pride and is certainly "Overbuilt" by today's standards. Not sure what they are worth but am very proud to own one! Am also very proud to be able to join with the other Triple Lock owners! Regards, smitholdtimer PS, thanks for a very interesting and educational topic!
My compliments for acquiring a very nice first year Triple Lock with most all its original Nickel finish. I am very novice when it comes to the Triple Lock but stumbled on one of the first models from seemingly close to the last years they shipped. This one shipped in July, 1916. The finish is really good except for the barrel which has lost a percentage of bluing on each side and this revolver is wearing stags also of the period with the dished tops. This seems to be an engineering masterpiece which indicates the Old American Pride and is certainly "Overbuilt" by today's standards. Not sure what they are worth but am very proud to own one! Am also very proud to be able to join with the other Triple Lock owners! Regards, smitholdtimer PS, thanks for a very interesting and educational topic!
Last edited:
rburg
Member
I'm thinking its a mistake to quote exact numbers produced. I seem to remember seeing a 2nd model with a number lower than "possible". 
Maybe the often quoted change in serials to 2nd models shouldn't be taken as the number of T/Ls produced. Also, don't forget the 5200 or so produced for the Brits in 455 caliber. It brings the number up to about 20,000 when you include the club guns and other odd/non-comforming serials.
They really are nice revolvers. Not real hard to locate at the larger gun shows around here. Sometimes the prices are pretty reasonable. In a week and a half we'll have National Gun Day in Louisville. I'd bet there will be a half dozen or so available.
Finding the correct grips may be an interesting quest. The early ones didn't have medallions. They were concaved in the stock circle. The later ones have gold medallions. BIS45 can make you an excellent set (better wood than the factory, too). If you locate a ratty set of K's, buy them for the gold medallions.
Maybe the often quoted change in serials to 2nd models shouldn't be taken as the number of T/Ls produced. Also, don't forget the 5200 or so produced for the Brits in 455 caliber. It brings the number up to about 20,000 when you include the club guns and other odd/non-comforming serials.They really are nice revolvers. Not real hard to locate at the larger gun shows around here. Sometimes the prices are pretty reasonable. In a week and a half we'll have National Gun Day in Louisville. I'd bet there will be a half dozen or so available.
Finding the correct grips may be an interesting quest. The early ones didn't have medallions. They were concaved in the stock circle. The later ones have gold medallions. BIS45 can make you an excellent set (better wood than the factory, too). If you locate a ratty set of K's, buy them for the gold medallions.
DBWesson
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
That is a nice T Lock. I would keep the grips on it, after all they look period and the Walnut grips would be replacements to.
My lowest numbers are.
# 49 .455 Commercial October 1, 1914 Wilkinson Sword Co. London
# 25 .44 Special October 28, 1909 Schmelzer & Son Kansas City, MO
I think that Smith held back some of their very low numbers because they did not want Colt to know how many guns were being sold.
Last spring at the S&W Convention there was a display of 108 T Locks.
Last weekend at the Santa Barbara Show there was a display of 80 + T Locks.
DB Wesson
#956
My lowest numbers are.
# 49 .455 Commercial October 1, 1914 Wilkinson Sword Co. London
# 25 .44 Special October 28, 1909 Schmelzer & Son Kansas City, MO
I think that Smith held back some of their very low numbers because they did not want Colt to know how many guns were being sold.
Last spring at the S&W Convention there was a display of 108 T Locks.
Last weekend at the Santa Barbara Show there was a display of 80 + T Locks.
DB Wesson
#956
Larry,
In addition to your display at Tucson, I bet the total number there reached or possibly exceeded 125 TL's. Without question, the most ever assembled outside of the factory.
Bob
In addition to your display at Tucson, I bet the total number there reached or possibly exceeded 125 TL's. Without question, the most ever assembled outside of the factory.
Bob
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