Four inch Triplelock - refinished?

[bubbajoe45]

I'm always on the lookout for HEs. This is my first (other than a 21-4 TRR). I only recently realized how much I truly appreciate the .44 Special - I always gravitate back to them. This 4-in. Nickel 1st Model may not in pristine collector-grade condition, but I'm pretty happy with it so far anyway - it's not in too bad a shape. SCSW indicates it was made in 1914 (13839).

I do have a couple of questions: Since the hammer and trigger aren't color cased, I guess one must deduce it has been re-finished? Since they nickeled the hammer and trigger, does this indicate it wasn't done at the factory? Also, the checkered diamond Magnas aren't original (but they are very nice nonetheless). They have a number stamped on the back of one panel (52270). Would it be possible to determine a date for these grips? It does have some flaking and pitting under the grips - advice on preventing any further spreading? Does Renaissance wax seal the surface well enough? And thirdly, does anyone have any idea why someone drove nails into the bottom of the grip panels? Fashioning a lanyard attachment point perhaps? What do you guys think?

 

[bubbajoe45]

Oh yea, other questions keep occurring to me: About how many 4-in 1st Models were made?

Shouldn't it say "Made in USA" or "Smith & Wesson" on the right side of the frame and barrel, respectively? Polished off? The logo on the sideplate is in pretty good shape.

BTW, I just found the barrel serial number inside the shroud (all match), but SCSW says it's also on the yoke. I have some matching 4 digit ?assemby? numbers on the yoke and frame directly opposite each other. Amazed by the craftsmanship when looking at the neatly aligned, tiny stamped numbers in hard to reach places.

 

[cgt4570]

FYI: The 'Made in USA' stamp engineering change on the right side didn't happen until after WW1. It should not be there.
Yes, a nickel hammer and trigger is a sure sign of a non-factory refinish. (it looks like a quality job, though as the sideplate fit and logo are still good). Do you know if it was originally a nickel gun? Sounds like a letter is in order.
Off the top of my head, all I can tell you about the date of your grips is 1935-1940. Someone else will narrow it down to a specific year.
The serial number on the yoke will be on the leading edge, and can be viewed through one of the chambers when open. The assembly numbers are meaningless.
I wonder what the purpose of the nails in the grip bottoms is?

On closer look, are you sure the hammer and trigger haven't just been polished and not nickeled? If that's the case, maybe the finish is original. Then again, I seem to remember that the third lock (as seen from the right side) should not be nickel on an original gun. Not positive about that one, though.

 

[DHENRY]

bubba,
The 'third' lock was cased, as were the hammer and trigger.
The pictures seem to indicate just older steel, with the case-coloring pretty much gone.
Truly a good candidate for a factory letter!
Don

 

[handejector]

The hammer and trigger don't look nickel, but I suspect a factory renickel.
Pull the grips, and tell us what is on the LEFT side of the grip frame. Pics would be better.

 

[bubbajoe45]

FYI: The 'Made in USA' stamp engineering change on the right side didn't happen until after WW1. It should not be there.

OK, good thanks.

Yes, a nickel hammer and trigger is a sure sign of a non-factory refinish. (it looks like a quality job, though as the sideplate fit and logo are still good). Do you know if it was originally a nickel gun? Sounds like a letter is in order.

No, I don't know. Agreed.

Off the top of my head, all I can tell you about the date of your grips is 1935-1940. Someone else will narrow it down to a specific year.
The serial number on the yoke will be on the leading edge, and can be viewed through one of the chambers when open. The assembly numbers are meaningless.

AhHa! Found it; thanks. Matches also.

I wonder what the purpose of the nails in the grip bottoms is?

Me too. Might be an interesting story behind this - or maybe just somebody monkeying around.

On closer look, are you sure the hammer and trigger haven't just been polished and not nickeled? If that's the case, maybe the finish is original. Then again, I seem to remember that the third lock (as seen from the right side) should not be nickel on an original gun. Not positive about that one, though.

Yea, may be original. If refinished, it was long ago.

 

[bubbajoe45]

The hammer and trigger don't look nickel, but I suspect a factory renickel.
Pull the grips, and tell us what is on the LEFT side of the grip frame. Pics would be better.

Looked with a magnifier - nothing on either side. Pics I took earlier; not too close up.

Just noticed 3 fairly evenly spaced 'notches' (file marks) on the INSIDE of the right rear frame about a third of the way up. If notches are for 'kills', then these were secret (letting my imagination run).

 

[handejector]

From what I can see, it is a renickel.
A VERY good job.

 

[bubbajoe45]

From what I can see, it is a renickel.
A VERY good job.

Thanks, Lee. Just filled out the form for my first letter. Form says $50; I thought it had gone up? What is approximate turnaround time?

 

[Dave T]

It's a great old gun, re-nickeled or not, done by the factory or not.

Dave

 

[gjamison]

Thanks, Lee. Just filled out the form for my first letter. Form says $50; I thought it had gone up? What is approximate turnaround time?

I would say 3 to 6 months. Mr Jinks has been out of town and is a little behind but I'm sure he'll have it done in no time...

 

[jsmith]

I thought I recognized that gun. That one has been floating around the auction sites on and off for some time.

FYI: I think that gun has been renickeled to. On the plus side, it is a nickeled 4-inch, which are a bit scarce.

As for factory letters, I have had mine in about a month's time.

jsmith

 

[murphydog]

Regarding the holes on the stock bottoms, I'd guess someone put a brass or other metal plate on the bottom. I'm not sure why someone would do that except for its use as a potential club, or for a presentation engraved plate.

 

[michael thornton]

if your not happy with it , i would be!

 

[bubbajoe45]

I thought I recognized that gun. That one has been floating around the auction sites on and off for some time.

I acquired it recently from AA. You won't see it floating around anymore - it has a home now.

FYI: I think that gun has been renickeled to. On the plus side, it is a nickeled 4-inch, which are a bit scarce.

As you say, whether it's renickeled or not, it has an intrinsic value as a 4-in HE.

As for factory letters, I have had mine in about a month's time.

jsmith

It took me awhile to find a 4-in gun, so no reason to get in a hurry now.

thanks for all your comments . . .

 

[bubbajoe45]

Regarding the holes on the stock bottoms, I'd guess someone put a brass or other metal plate on the bottom.

I'll bet you're right. Hadn't thought of it, but now that you mention it someone on here had a police Model 19 with a plate on the bottom of the targets. Makes sense.

 

[DHENRY]

Those two holes indicate a prior owner's installation of a grip cap, butt cap, head-knocker, whatever you want to call it.
Generally they were nickeled steel, silver or brass.
Back in the day, they were a help to law enforcement.
Don

 

[moosedog]

Nice, hard to find gun sir.
The reason for the "plate" on the bottom of the grips was to minimize the damage to grips from them banging on things all day. Grips with out them on LE will have huge chunks for wood missing and chipped to death.

 

[Pontiaker]

Love the grips, did they come with the gun? Even though they are not right for the gun they sure look nice and I bet they feel great! I love the large flat medallion grips! Here's my 4 inch TR and 3rd model, both renickle, the 3rd at the factory in 1952 and it looks awesome.The TR aftermarket renickle and it looks like crap. But its super tight, shoots great and was only $440!

Do you mind letting us know what it finaly sold for?
Matt

 

[bubbajoe45]

Love the grips, did they come with the gun? Even though they are not right for the gun they sure look nice and I bet they feel great! I love the large flat medallion grips! Here's my 4 inch TR and 3rd model, both renickle, the 3rd at the factory in 1952 and it looks awesome.The TR aftermarket renickle and it looks like crap. But its super tight, shoots great and was only $440!

Yes, the grips came on the gun, and yes they feel great. i prefer the look also. Yours are very nice!

Do you mind letting us know what it finaly sold for?
Matt

Buy it now was 1200; I won with 1100. I guess whether it has in fact been renickeled or not would go a long way toward determining if that was reasonable, but I'm happy either way. Certainly low for an original finish and maybe a bit high for a refinish, but the fact that it's hard to tell says it was a good job if it was refinished. When I began looking for any 4 inch HE (1st,2nd,3rd or 4th), I slowly realized that I was not in the market for a pristine piece. It took awhile to realize this because you just don't come across many (not because I ride the short bus). Nevertheless, I've seen some pretty beat up refinishes that the owners probably wouldn't give up for love nor money, and this one's in great shape for it's age.