My Triple Lock Left the Factory with Target Sights

[epidoc]

I mentioned this pistol before, New Century Triple Lock, serial number 14104. Several of you opined that it might have been converted to target configuration when it was returned to the factory in 1920.

I received the letter from Roy Jinks esterday. It states" We have researched your Smith and Wesson ...with serial number 14104 in company records and find that it was shpped from the factory on September 10, 1917 and delivered to Shapleigh Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO. The records indicate that this firearm was shipped with 6.5 inch barrel, adjustable rear target sight, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips. This revolver was one of the revolvers shipped out of inventory after this revolver had been discontinued."

 

[epidoc]

I mentioned this pistol before, New Century Triple Lock, serial number 14104. Several of you opined that it might have been converted to target configuration when it was returned to the factory in 1920.

I received the letter from Roy Jinks esterday. It states" We have researched your Smith and Wesson ...with serial number 14104 in company records and find that it was shpped from the factory on September 10, 1917 and delivered to Shapleigh Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO. The records indicate that this firearm was shipped with 6.5 inch barrel, adjustable rear target sight, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips. This revolver was one of the revolvers shipped out of inventory after this revolver had been discontinued."

 

[epidoc]

FOLLOW UP QUESTION -
This pistol currently has blade front sight made by King and so marked. Would it be possible to locate the correct Smith and Wesson front target sight?

 

[JayCeeNC]

Nice letter, I'm glad it confirmed you have a factory target sight Triple Lock.
Shapleigh Hardware was a big S&W dealer for decades.

 

[opoefc]

If you have a T-Lock Target that you are not sure about it leaving the factory as a Target Model, you can easily tell by taking off the rear sight assembly and looking on the underside of the base. If there is the gun's serial number stamped on the bottom of the base, then it left the factory as a Target Model. If no number there, chances are the gun was returned to S&W ( or others) for installation of an adjustable rear sight after it was first shipped as a fixed sight model.

 

[feralmerril]

I have this triplelock that was returned to the factory in 1949 and again in 1950. It has later smith target sights. I have a letter that jinks simply states it was returned then and mods done. It has the star and dates in the grip frame. Left factory in 1906 as a standard fixed sight model.

 

[Bat Guano]

Don't think my factory letter reflects it, but mine has a Lyman ivory bead front. If not original, it's been there for a long time.

Some years ago a friend of mine had a TL target, star-refinished by S&W but otherwise unaltered. In those pre-internet days I simply had a gunsmith friend duplicate the original type front sight for mine, as I preferred the stock front sight. Kept the old one, of course.

You might try Dave Chicoine as he is supposed to have a lot of ancient S&W stuff.

 

[Onomea]

Congratulations! That's a fine thing indeed that it letters as a target model!

 

[ButchG17]

epidoc do you have any pictures you could post of your Triple Lock? I'm sure I'm not the only one here that would like to see it. I'd be glad to host them if that would help.