New Century
- Thread starter greenwellg
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Muley Gil
US Veteran
Looks good! .44 Special?
OP
greenwellg
Member
Yeppers
Muley Gil
US Veteran
I have a refinished 5" TL .44 and it is VERY accurate!
OP
greenwellg
Member
I think the owners name was Donald Toomey. At one time he owned 1000 S&W (?) firearms. Surprised he was not familiar to this forum (or not). He passed around a decade ago and my guess would be the "cream" of his collection either went to relatives or was sold before now. Just a hypothesis and seems like he did well. I never knew someone who owned so many but am sure there are some and they probably were fairly private about making many people knowledgeable of their circumstances.
There were two Triplelocks in this auction, out of 750 total in two auctions. I was actually more interested in the one that was described as in poor condition (but original). I bought this one first and bid on the other but stopped before it got out of hand and I don't need two of the type. I had considered a true restoration as a project, but another side of my brain says preservation is more respectful of the history contained in the condition and originality.
I guess I have reached a point in life where I am inclined to take the easier pathway. Lots of wear and tear on this old body. The time for me to dedicate to this hobby is very late in life
There were two Triplelocks in this auction, out of 750 total in two auctions. I was actually more interested in the one that was described as in poor condition (but original). I bought this one first and bid on the other but stopped before it got out of hand and I don't need two of the type. I had considered a true restoration as a project, but another side of my brain says preservation is more respectful of the history contained in the condition and originality.
I guess I have reached a point in life where I am inclined to take the easier pathway. Lots of wear and tear on this old body. The time for me to dedicate to this hobby is very late in life
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mchom
Member
Congratulations Greenwellg
That’s a fine TL you’ve acquired. I’ve a few myself. Refinished, slightly modified or original finish but heavily worn. Considering the age of these guns I don’t get to picky either.
That’s a fine TL you’ve acquired. I’ve a few myself. Refinished, slightly modified or original finish but heavily worn. Considering the age of these guns I don’t get to picky either.
Mbrgr1
Member
Beauty, nice clean lines, what are the signs of a refinish? Just curious...
I had a three-digit TL which was, by the time I acquired it, non functional. I had it restored and refinished by a competent but not well known smith. Enjoyed it for a few years and passed it on to my brother.
In my view, nothing wrong with buying refinished guns, if done reasonably well, and if discounted appropriately.
Nowadays the fellow who buys the refinish will likely take a bath, when selling, but if you buy a refinished item, can be an excellent deal, especially for a shooter who likes pretty guns.
In my view, nothing wrong with buying refinished guns, if done reasonably well, and if discounted appropriately.
Nowadays the fellow who buys the refinish will likely take a bath, when selling, but if you buy a refinished item, can be an excellent deal, especially for a shooter who likes pretty guns.
OP
greenwellg
Member
Bid was $1100. That did not include the 15% commission, processing fee (for credit card) and Va state sales tax and shipping.
Bought a brand new Python in stainless with wood grips for $1200.
Which is the better bargain? Irrelevant, I own both.
1 of around 15k ever made before WW1, probably same year my wife's father was born (1913).I would not sell it for $2500. doesn't even have a turn line.
Grips alone worth several hundred restoration at least $1000.
If not refinished and in excellent condition what would it bring on Rock Island auction?.
Kind of like the 35 Ford I photo-ed and posted here with 90 year old original paint.
If the bore is perfect the value goes up another $1000.
This is my first online auction without inspection other than the photos. It's worth what I paid for it with a sewer pipe bore.
Careful inspection of the photos showed bores and chambers had something like axle grease or cosmoline applied, most likely in every one on the auction.
First time using Proxybid. My bank was scared it was a scam, since the wife's card was scanned 20 years ago and they charged $9k at the "Mall of America", so she comes home pissed off about the charge, pissed me off. Got that fixed, never had a card declined before EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
$1418 transfer to her account Monday, she needs therapy and to learn to trust me after 36 years married, but I guess she thinks I am diddling the neighbor at 4 AM
.
Bought a brand new Python in stainless with wood grips for $1200.
Which is the better bargain? Irrelevant, I own both.
1 of around 15k ever made before WW1, probably same year my wife's father was born (1913).I would not sell it for $2500. doesn't even have a turn line.
Grips alone worth several hundred restoration at least $1000.
If not refinished and in excellent condition what would it bring on Rock Island auction?.
Kind of like the 35 Ford I photo-ed and posted here with 90 year old original paint.
If the bore is perfect the value goes up another $1000.
This is my first online auction without inspection other than the photos. It's worth what I paid for it with a sewer pipe bore.
Careful inspection of the photos showed bores and chambers had something like axle grease or cosmoline applied, most likely in every one on the auction.
First time using Proxybid. My bank was scared it was a scam, since the wife's card was scanned 20 years ago and they charged $9k at the "Mall of America", so she comes home pissed off about the charge, pissed me off. Got that fixed, never had a card declined before EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
$1418 transfer to her account Monday, she needs therapy and to learn to trust me after 36 years married, but I guess she thinks I am diddling the neighbor at 4 AM
.
OP
greenwellg
Member
The surface prep for an original finish is probably a hundred hours and I know how to do it. You actually do it "in the white" to perfection before ever applying the blue and I was going to try on the other gun, but it came later in the auction and I had already bought this one. I had a maximum on the other gun of $600 and someone else wanted it more than I did and bought it at $950 bid.
This gun was (in my opinion) glass bead blasted. I could even have it reblued after hand polishing it to perfection but took the easy way out by just buying the work at a serious discount. Much like a restored 57 Belair coupe, versus a perfect one that was garage kept and driven 15k miles in 68 years, significant additional clue is the pins that protrude from the same side where the cylinder release is located. Typical refinish does not remove and reinstall those pins.
I have a HE 38 that lots here think is original finish, but I think it was reblued. Whoever did it (could have been Smith) left no mark indicating it was factory done. It was discussed in another thread and has target sights and a perfect bore.
Very very nice! Congratulations on picking up a great TL. That's exactly the model and bbl. length that I have been looking for, and it appears that you bought it for a good price. Enjoy!
22hipower
Member
Very nice acquisition. 
If it wasn't for those pins being flattened you could convince me with those pictures that it was original finish. That seam on the side plate appears very tight. Not many are that nicely done, I'll be surprised if you don't find a factory date stamp on the butt. Here's a factory refinished (1952) TL also with the flat pins, which the factory did after WWII.
If it wasn't for those pins being flattened you could convince me with those pictures that it was original finish. That seam on the side plate appears very tight. Not many are that nicely done, I'll be surprised if you don't find a factory date stamp on the butt. Here's a factory refinished (1952) TL also with the flat pins, which the factory did after WWII.I agree, except for the middle (third) lock is blued. It was originally case coloured and a factory refinish would have maintained that.
22hipower
Member
Good point, seems a little odd that there are so few of the usual signs of buffing other than the flattened pins but the refinisher also blued the third lock. At least he didn't blue the hammer and trigger.
OP
greenwellg
Member
The urge to make it perfect is almost overwhelming. Since it would be my first attempt, I'll leave this one alone for now. Complete disassembly to the originally manufactured INDIVIDUAL pieces (every one) Each restored to perfection then blued exactly the way it was originally to as new appearance. Reassembled in the white, thoroughly inspected before any finish is applied.
If there is pitting that must NOT be removed completely then consider nickel plating. If no pitting can be achieved then blued to the level of my 1958 Masterpiece, which looks like black chrome.
If there is pitting that must NOT be removed completely then consider nickel plating. If no pitting can be achieved then blued to the level of my 1958 Masterpiece, which looks like black chrome.
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I really like your triple lock target. I would get one except for a bunch of money needed
OP
greenwellg
Member
She came home with me tonight. Bore and chambers very close to PERFECT. My hands were shaking as I filled out the forms. This Gun will not leave me until my last breath. I wouldn't take $5k for it right now. I have two now I'd like to letter. Any refinishing is a compromise of preservation and minimal pitting remaining and to my eye this one is close to perfect in that compromise. The condition of the bore and chambers beats my expectations completely. The photo of the right side grip area made me think the grips did not fit perfectly but it was the lighting. I probably didn't pay much more than the refinish cost.
No desire to "improve" anything. I don't even care if I ever shoot it but I would bet it's a tack driver. Saturday is my 75th birthday. I honestly think that if I was forced to choose I would let every other gun I own, around 20 since March, go before this one goes anywhere.
Guess I'll see what's under the grips
.
No desire to "improve" anything. I don't even care if I ever shoot it but I would bet it's a tack driver. Saturday is my 75th birthday. I honestly think that if I was forced to choose I would let every other gun I own, around 20 since March, go before this one goes anywhere.
Guess I'll see what's under the grips
.
OP
greenwellg
Member
Grips have no markings and the grip frame is void of any indications it ever went back to the factory.
A couple of photos that show you what they left as far as corrosion repairs. The front of the cylinder was unturned to maintain clearance. and the worst remaining corrosion is in front of the cylinder release. Nothing that affects my love for this old beauty.
A couple of photos that show you what they left as far as corrosion repairs. The front of the cylinder was unturned to maintain clearance. and the worst remaining corrosion is in front of the cylinder release. Nothing that affects my love for this old beauty.
OP
greenwellg
Member
Here is my #90643 with original finish and perfect bore with the Triplelock. These are the two guns I would like to be lettered, especially the 38 with the added lanyard loop with the serial number added on the bottom and stamped on the frame under the grips and serial numbered matching grips.
My apologies to muley gill for deleting his like on my post that did not have these photos.
My apologies to muley gill for deleting his like on my post that did not have these photos.
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