Recent acquisition - Nickel Triplelock s/n 331

[Teddydog]

Another undoubtedly non-factory refinished TL44.

Rob

 

[22hipower]

I don't think there was any question about whether the OP's gun had been refinished, only whether it might have been a factory refinish rather than otherwise. The factory, in the last century up until around 1980 anyway, would do as much as possible to return them to factory "new" condition. But even the factory can't remove years of wear, pits and possible non-factory refinishes. The star on the butt certainly indicates the OPs gun went back to the factory, we just don't know if that visit included a refinish.

 

[mrcvs]

I don't think there was any question about whether the OP's gun had been refinished, only whether it might have been a factory refinish rather than otherwise. The factory, in the last century up until around 1980 anyway, would do as much as possible to return them to factory "new" condition. But even the factory can't remove years of wear, pits and possible non-factory refinishes. The star on the butt certainly indicates the OPs gun went back to the factory, we just don't know if that visit included a refinish.

The star indicated it went back to the factory for refinish or otherwise. As the revolver stands now, this is a non factory refinish potentially subsequent to a factory refinish.

 

[DrBay]

Your revolver is interesting because it has a fairly low serial number. However, without a shadow of doubt it’s reblued. I have posted a nickel example that is original, and the obvious differences are, as follows:

1. Note the softened edges everywhere and how crisp they are in my revolver. A prime example of rebuffing;

2. Note how shiny your finish is. It should be more muted, as with mine;

3. Note some fishing around screw heads not evident on mine;

4. Note how fine the edges of markings are on mine and how the appearance of markings on yours have been softened;

5. Note how weak the S & Wlogo is on yours compared to mine;

6. Note the precise fit of the sideplate on my revolver compared to yours with asean much more open from buffing;

7. Note pins have been buffed flat on your revolver whereas mine remain raised.

I hope this helps.

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Which revolver in this thread are you referring to when you say "without a shadow of doubt it’s reblued"? You could have meant my nickel TL or one of the others. Excellent points made. Thank you for the insights.

 

[mrcvs]

Which revolver in this thread are you referring to when you say "without a shadow of doubt it’s reblued"? You could have meant my nickel TL or one of the others. Excellent points made. Thank you for the insights.

I meant renickeled, I’ll correct that.

 

[nevadacal]

For what it is worth , Colt & S&W that had guns sent back to the factory would send them to a third party to be refinished. For a period of time the third party put a star on the trigger guard. At what period I do not know. I have a Colt first gen that has a star on the trigger guard, also nicklel. One of the ways to tell is patent dates, dished around the scews, ect. I have never seen a blue or reblue with a star, only nicklel. I would think the star ended because of conflict interest. I also have heard there a place in FL were both Colt & S&W are refinished that are done fore the Factory's. True or not it does make sense, Factory production cannot be delayed or a special shop for redo"s.

 

[22hipower]

For what it is worth , Colt & S&W that had guns sent back to the factory would send them to a third party to be refinished.

I don't think I've heard that before, might have read it on Wikipedia relative to Schofield's after 1900, but that's not a very reliable source. Do you have documentation or references to examples of S&W sending their products to third parties for refinishing and having those third parties stamp them? Seems I learn something here every day though, and some things I thought I knew I have to unlearn, so maybe. Thanks.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I don't think there was any question about whether the OP's gun had been refinished, only whether it might have been a factory refinish rather than otherwise. The factory, in the last century up until around 1980 anyway, would do as much as possible to return them to factory "new" condition. But even the factory can't remove years of wear, pits and possible non-factory refinishes. The star on the butt certainly indicates the OPs gun went back to the factory, we just don't know if that visit included a refinish.

If it was factory refinished it would be marked as such and they would not have plated the hammer and trigger or the third lock stud .

 

[Eddie Southgate]

The star indicated it went back to the factory for refinish or otherwise. As the revolver stands now, this is a non factory refinish potentially subsequent to a factory refinish.

Don't see a star in the one picture he has posted and he gives no other info besides the picture . It is without a doubt Not a factory refinish .

 

[22hipower]

Don't see a star in the one picture he has posted and he gives no other info besides the picture . It is without a doubt Not a factory refinish .

The star shows up clearly in the third picture in post #1. The hammer and trigger in post #1 do not appear to be plated.

Jeff
SWCA #1415

 

[Hondo44]

What about the finish appears to be non factory?

Yours is the only other TL I’ve seen with the front grip frame corner clipped like my TL.

In my opinion when I shoot my other TL with its unaltered grip frame and original service grips, that sharp front corner can be uncomfortable under recoil. I use target grips on both my TLs when I shoot them.

 

[Hondo44]

I don't think there was any question about whether the OP's gun had been refinished, only whether it might have been a factory refinish rather than otherwise. The factory, in the last century up until around 1980 anyway, would do as much as possible to return them to factory "new" condition. But even the factory can't remove years of wear, pits and possible non-factory refinishes. The star on the butt certainly indicates the OPs gun went back to the factory, we just don't know if that visit included a refinish.

Quite often we see guns refinished at the factory and so marked. However subsequent to that the gun is refinished one or more additional times but not by the factory which is likely the case of the subject gun in this post.