Proper Grammar and the Triple Lock revolver

[mrcvs]

Recently, grammar was addressed over in the “Antiques” section of the forum.

And so, this also applies to the Triple Lock revolver. And so I will give what I believe is the proper manner as to how this revolver should be referenced, and then two examples of how, I believe, it should not be referenced and, in fact, make me cringe. Edit: Of course, this IS the .44 Hand Ejector First Model revolver, but the intent of this thread is to determine the preferred colloquial term.

First, how I believe it should always be referenced, 3 simple words, the first two capitalized, the third one not: Triple Lock revolver.

And, the two ways it should not be referenced:

1. Triple Lock (or Triplelock, this latter form to be addressed next). Triple Lock what? Triple Locks, like 3 locks on a door? Three locks located in a canal, or…???

2. Triplelock revolver, or just Triplelock, as discussed just above. Triplelock creates a compound word that doesn’t exist and, if it did, it suggests a separate entity or unit, and not the three individual locking components of the Triple Lock revolver.

Comments and which is preferred and do others agree with me or not?

Furthermore, I shall create a poll.

 

[lihpster]

You talking about those old fashioned, round sided pew-pew machines?

 

[rct269]

I reckon the clue is in the poll question-----"first".

So far, so good; anything else?

Yep!

What?

That's right, and you can put the "First" at the beginning, or near the end of what you're talking about like so:

First Model .44 Hand Ejector

OR

.44 Hand Ejector First Model

Now, anybody who doesn't know either one these is also known as a "Triple Lock" deserves our sincere sympathy------and some suggestions for a few books to peruse.

And a question for you: Are you getting enough sleep?

Ralph Tremaine

And I just thought of another question for you: Are the regular everyday S&W revolvers with just two locks properly known as "Double Locks"?

And another one: How about those 1890 whatever somethings---Single Locks?

 

[DARE]

The letter I have on my gun says "your revolver is a .44 Hand Ejector First Model, six shot, caliber .44 S&W Special."
Then says "This model, referred to as the .44 New Century Triple Lock" etc.
Later says "The .44 Hand Ejectors acquired its nickname of 'Triple Lock' as a result of the locking system."
I think you could call it .44 Hand Ejector, 1st Model or New Century or Triple Lock.
SCSW 4th says, .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model (a.k.a. New Century, Triple Lock, .44 Military Model of 1908)

My preference is .44 Hand Ejector, 1st Model

 

[RobertJ.]

Isn't nomenclature the correct subject of your poll?

Me are confused...

 

[Tom K]

All of the above.

 

[mrcvs]

I will correct my first post, but, yes, it is the .44 Hand Ejector First Model revolver, but I was asking not for that, but the preferred colloquial term for this revolver.

 

[StrawHat]

I thought the first ones were 45 caliber?

But, I prefer New Century.

Kevin

 

[mikerjf]

Doesn’t it have to be “Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector First Model revolver”?

 

[The Gila Bender]

"Gold Seal"?

 

[Modified]

I call mine "Roscoe"

 

[OFT II]

I won't be able to sleep tonight worrying about this.

 

[Sistema1927]

Isn't nomenclature the correct subject of your poll?

Me are confused...

That was my first thought. But, I didn't want to nit-pick.

 

[steelslaver]

All of the above work. Language purist often forget that the principal purpose of words is to convey a thought or image. Grips does that as well as stocks, 45 long colt also does that the long being an added descriptor.
.44 New Century Triple Lock adds the TL descriptor. In fact I would not be surprised that more people probably recognize the Triple Lock handle than the New Century

How about another poll

1 Word Nazi
2 Nomenclature Purist
3 Vocabulary Police
4 People with nothing better to add to the conversation

 

[Venom6]

I'm fine with "Triple Lock." You and I and everybody else here knows what that means. This forum is not about doors. Now if you want to argue "catsup" versus "ketchup" I'm your huckleberry.

 

[mchom]

I kind of like Triple lock
To the OPs point
When I hear the terms registered magnum, non-registered magnum, pre 29 or pre whatever model; these names later applied, I understand what the speaker/writer is talking about instantly.

I will admit, I have noticed it takes my lagging brain a few extra synapses to connect "New Century" to the gun. .44 Hand Ejector First Model a little quicker...Triple lock is instant and does have a nice ring to it

 

[JH1951]

By definition, the word colloquial lends itself to conversational, informal spoken language or conversation. "Conversational" and "informal" are key to the definition (at least they were when I went to school an long time ago). So, are we trying to formalize 'kitchen table talk' and standardize it to be the same everywhere?
As an example, how do you address a group of people? The answer to that question can often be a clue to where you grew up. "You Guys" links individuals to central and western USA, "Yinz" somewhat pegs you in western Pennsylvania, "Youse" is quite common in NJ, eastern PA, and surrounding areas, and "Y'all" in Dixieland. (and of course "All y'all" is just the plural of y'all).
What do you call a carbonated beverage? "soda", "pop", "soda pop", "coke (or cocola)", or "soft drink"?..... It all depends where you or your parents are from.
The interesting thing is that no matter what words are used in the above examples, we know what the speaker is referring to, get the gist of the conversation, and move forward. If we don't understand, then likely we will ask for clarification.
As for "Triple Lock", "Triplelock", etc, it is simply a way to identify a .44 Hand Ejector, 1st Model with instant recognition and less potentially confusing thought.
Perhaps I should have simply said:
....... What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet; ......

 

[mrcvs]

This is actually sort of important, especially since not standardized. I actually missed out on several nice Triple Lock revolvers at auction several years ago as my search query of Triple Lock revealed 0 results as the auction house listed all of their listings as Triplelock. Conversely, I did obtain a nice Target Model Triple Lock revolver at auction about 2019 as there was little interest in the “Model of 1908” revolver.

 

[huthike]

I think I agree with mrcvs. I do think it is interesting historically that the S &W catalogs of the day called it the .44 Military Model of 1908.

 

[Jim Watson]

It is obviously a pre, pre, pre, pre Model 24.