More Triple Lock questions

[Summersteel]

I have been reading past threads about triple locks, and have seen a few letters posted from Roy that say these were made in 4", 5", 6", 6-1/2" and 7-1/2" barrel lengths. I've seen many posts with pictures I've admired of guns in all of these barrel lengths, except 6". My copy of the S&W Std Catalog does not list the 6" barrel size as among those manufactured. So, my question is does the 6" Triple lock exist? Is the 6" barrel length the rarest of them all? Does anyone have one?

 

[mrcvs]

I believe that Smith & Wesson advertised that Triple Lock revolvers were manufactured in 4", 5", 6", 6 1/2"", and 7 1/2" barrel lengths but, at present, a Triple Lock with a 6" barrel length has actually never surfaced. It's doubtful that a Triple Lock with a 6" barrel length was ever manufactured.

 

[rct269]

Well, sure enough----shows you what I know! I had a 6 1/2 and a 7 1/2----and both letters say 4, 5, 6, 6 1/2 and 7 1/2. If I'd have been asked, I'd probably have said they made a 6, but only because I know they made a 6 in the .357--------and the only reason I know that is because the 6 never looked right---proportions seemed off somehow---and that, at least, stuck with me.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Hondo44]

There is a distinct lack of hard evidence that TLs ever came with a 6" barrel. So I'd say they did not and that a typo or error way back in the day is responsible for what is most likely a myth. But I'll keep an open mind.

 

[bushmaster1313]

It's relatively easy to turn a 6 1/2 " barrel into a 6"
Going short to long is much more difficult.

 

[Summersteel]

So, I picked up a nice nickel TL today, and it got me wondering about a couple of things. First, who invented this gun design with the side swing-out cylinder at S&W? Do we know who it was specifically that designed this gun?
Also, I've read in the 4th Edition of S&W that nickel commands something of a premium. Is it because nickel seems to be more preferred than blue versions, or that fewer were made? Does anyone know what percentage of triple lock production was blue vs nickel?