Help with value of my Triple Lock?

[gonguncrzy]

Hi all, first post here. Been a member for a while, just never posted anything. I'm hoping that you knowledgeable members on this forum can help me value my Triple Lock. This one introduced me to the 44 special... and I haven't looked back! Very enjoyable to shoot.

Its chambered in 44 special, has SN 7731, nickel finish with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. Also has wood stocks without the S&W medallions. The bore is worn with some pitting but still is a good shooting revolver! The finish is pitted and discolored. Wasn't able to get any good pics of the bore. Will try again later tonight. I estimate it to be in about 50% condition but would really appreciate any feedback more knowledgeable members can provide.

Please see my pics below and thank you!

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome! 'Bout time you posted. "D

My guess would be a 1911-12 ship date. I haven't kept up on values, but I spent over $1000 on a refinished 5" .44 Special TL about 12 years ago. Too high at the time, but you see more 6 1/2" TLs than you do 5"ers.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Muley Gil makes a good point as they say " you don't pay too much you just bought too early" .Those old ones in the classic calibers are on the rise . I have a friend who says he just likes saying " yea it's a 44 special" with a little cowboy drawl when folks ask about his shiny triple lock with the stag grips .Thanks for shareing yours with us .

 

[murphydog]

Welcome (to posting)! This one has "honest wear"; many similar guns of the era have been heavily used, refinished or both. The stocks are correct for the 1900-1910 decade and you may find the SN in pencil on the inside of the panel(s), usually the right.

I would use a (very) light polish to control the corrosion on the right side and wax the surface. I'd guess about $1500 for its value but wouldn't sell it at that amount, if you know what I mean.

Hope you are managing in sunny but otherwise dysfunctional So Cal .

 

[Green Frog]

Quoting prices on Triple Locks is above my pay grade, but the cool factor gives yours some serious value. If you had to wait three years to check in with a gun, you picked a winner to bring to the table. Congratulations.

Froggie

 

[mrcvs]

I think your Triple Lock Loockis a respectable example, some wear but not abuse. I would value it in the $1300 to $1500 range, probably closer to the high end due to the fact it has the early non medallion stocks. You usually see non medallion stocks until mid 1910 and then the medallion stocks predominate. Smith & Wesson did not ship sequentially, but having said that, yours is relatively late for non medallion grips. Pulling them could reveal a serial number inside, but this could, of course, been pencilled in at a much later time. If you order a factory letter it should tell you a ship date and what type of stocks your gun originally had. Given the uncommon nature of non medallion stocks, they are likely original to your gun or, if not, they were likely fitted to your gun a very long time ago.

Should you order a letter, please be sure to post it!

 

[gonguncrzy]

Welcome (to posting)! This one has "honest wear"; many similar guns of the era have been heavily used, refinished or both. The stocks are correct for the 1900-1910 decade and you may find the SN in pencil on the inside of the panel(s), usually the right.

I would use a (very) light polish to control the corrosion on the right side and wax the surface. I'd guess about $1500 for its value but wouldn't sell it at that amount, if you know what I mean.

Hope you are managing in sunny but otherwise dysfunctional So Cal .

Thank you for your reply and the info on waxing. I've heard of that but haven't done it. Fitz polish was recommended to me by a friend. I'll have to get some.

As for managing in dysfunctional So Cal, well... with all the crazy laws they keep passing, I think 100 year old revolvers is about all that will be "legal" to own here! Guess I better hold on to this one!

 

[gonguncrzy]

Welcome! 'Bout time you posted. "D

My guess would be a 1911-12 ship date. I haven't kept up on values, but I spent over $1000 on a refinished 5" .44 Special TL about 12 years ago. Too high at the time, but you see more 6 1/2" TLs than you do 5"ers.

Thanks Muley Gil. I'd really like to come across a 5" TL!

 

[gonguncrzy]

Thanks Froggie and MRCVS for the kind words. Do agree about the "cool" factor given by the older stocks. I will have to order a letter on this one. It will be interesting to get some concrete information on how it was originally shipped. I'll make sure to post once received!

 

[mrcvs]

As for managing in dysfunctional So Cal, well... with all the crazy laws they keep passing, I think 100 year old revolvers is about all that will be "legal" to own here! Guess I better hold on to this one!

Oddly, the way firearms laws are written, there is no significance to owning a "100 year old revolver". I have often wondered why the laws aren't revised such that anything that is 100 years old or greater can be considered an antique, and not subject to a background check. But, then again, perhaps best to let sleeping dogs lie and maybe count our lucky stars that the Gun Control Act of 1968 allows for the ownership of a pre 1899 revolver, no questions asked! This is why virtually all I collect is antique, with the exception of the Triple Lock. Unfortunately, the Triple Lock falls into the category where all are greater than 100 years old but none are old enough to be antique.

Being in Southern California, I would strongly suggest the purchase of an antique revolver. If a Smith & Wesson is desired, I would consider a New Model # 3.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Try some Blue Wonder cleaner on those pits. It dissolves rust but leaves the base metal alone. Renaissance Wax or Strike Hold will keep water away from the metal so it won't rust further. After that, it should last another 100 years and probably won't rust after CA falls into the ocean.

 

[H Richard]

I will agree with Guy, polish up lightly with Flitz, simchrome, (I haven't tried the Blue Wonder but have heard good things about it). Then a coat of Renaissance Wax. This stuff is good, neutral Ph, won't yellow like some waxes, and fingerprints just don't seem to stick to it, keeping it clean looking always. I polished up a large brass shell, maybe 10-12 years ago and put a coat of Renaissance Wax on it and it still hasen't tarnished.

 

[gonguncrzy]

Being in Southern California, I would strongly suggest the purchase of an antique revolver. If a Smith & Wesson is desired, I would consider a New Model # 3.

I've thought about a New Model #3, that's the top break in 44 Russian, right? The Ones I've come across in really good condition run about as much as a TL. I'll keep an eye out! If I do get one, I guess I'll have to "roll my own" 44 Russian loads!

 

[gonguncrzy]

Wiregrassguy & H Richard, thanks for the info on the polish & waxing. Will get my hands on some to help preserve this diamond in the rough.

 

[mrcvs]

I've thought about a New Model #3, that's the top break in 44 Russian, right? The Ones I've come across in really good condition run about as much as a TL. I'll keep an eye out! If I do get one, I guess I'll have to "roll my own" 44 Russian loads!

The New Model #3 was most commonly available in .44 Russian, but there were several other calibers available at the time as well. Yes, it helps if you can reload, but this is always the case.

 

[Tappet1000]

Hello, I'm fairly new here too but the knowledge among the folks here is first class. My Target Model shipped in 1908. It's unfortunately been reblued which has to hurt the value but the bore is excellent. I do have the original stocks but they don't look as well as these so I have them stored. I will try to attach pics of the letter and the revolver. I have no idea of the market value of mine. I'd probably sell it if it was reasonable due to mounting bills, etc. Didn't intend to highjack the thread. Just wanted to post in the event that it may help you. Good luck!

Hi all, first post here. Been a member for a while, just never posted anything. I'm hoping that you knowledgeable members on this forum can help me value my Triple Lock. This one introduced me to the 44 special... and I haven't looked back! Very enjoyable to shoot.

Its chambered in 44 special, has SN 7731, nickel finish with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. Also has wood stocks without the S&W medallions. The bore is worn with some pitting but still is a good shooting revolver! The finish is pitted and discolored. Wasn't able to get any good pics of the bore. Will try again later tonight. I estimate it to be in about 50% condition but would really appreciate any feedback more knowledgeable members can provide.

Please see my pics below and thank you!

 

[The Gila Bender]

THAT'S a nice honest TL! I'll go with mrcvs' estimate of value, though I'd probably jump on any TL if one crossed my path or table. My two shooter grade Military TL's (.455 and .44 Special) ended up in the $1,200 price range once they had been acquired (one in December 2014, the other in June 2016), cleaned and serviced by a competent gunsmith, and correct stocks bought and installed. Your TL looks good to go assuming that it is in proper operating condition. Enjoy! And welcome to the cracker barrel.
Be sure to check out this thread for more TL eye candy:
TRIPLE-LOCKS--POST YOURS!