Roscoe, the Triple-lock, has arrived

[6518John]

Maybe true, but if you read Fitz's book section on tricks, you may draw the conclusion I did in post #26 of this thread.

Mike I saw that when you posted yesterday and meant to make this post but got busy a forgot. I knew a sheriff (actually a friend of my father and grandfather) that saw the finger-breaking maneuver happen to someone in a fight on the Oklahoma border. Moreover, I believe he had seen a miscreant grab a revolver in a "pincher" movement and bind the cylinder to keep it from firing (he carried a 1911 thereafter).

So you are 100% correct.

 

[Kinman]

It seems to me that if your going to the trouble of bobbing a hammer in order to avoid a possible "hooking event" on clothing that you are creating an even larger possibility by creating the great hook of the trigger area....albeit the trigger is pointing into the pocket and should not create a problem on the outward draw I do see a possibility in a scuffle of it preventing jamming the muzzle into your assailant because of clothing, etc. snagging the hook provided by removing the forward section of the trigger guard. It is an excellent design and should not be tampered with. JMHO.

 

[ddixie884]

I find it very interesting and I would really like to shoot it. Then and now folks alter their personal firearms to suit their particular needs. Cooper said "personal arms were not for sale" any way and when you are gone it doesn't matter anyway. Congrats on your new custom revolver, enjoy......

 

[Dave.357]

While it is not my cup of tea, he did not make it for me.
A big bore working gun.Not pretty ,but did it work for him?

 

[Modified]

It arrived. It's kind of glorious and I love it.

First thing to note is that the S/N is actually 11704

Observations;

- Very very interesting mark on the top of the barrel, remnant of original patent?

- Built for a right hander, the grips have a slight right hand thumb rest which is remarkably well placed. Feels really good in the hand.

- More extensive sight work then expected. Rather nice sights in fact. You will notice that there is stippling at the rear there. At first I thought this was originally a target, but immediately realized it couldn't have been.

- Action is very very nice, both DA and SA.

- Grooved backstrap

- Grooved trigger

- Checkering added to the hammer to aid in single action shooting, works remarkably well to cock it as Frisbie notes in the article.

- Re-Crowned very well.

- The semi circles on the grips were event modified, not sure why exactly...

- The gun is refinished, and I don't think factory. It has an ever so slight plumb(?), almost iridescent quality to it. Plus the third lock stud is blue which it shouldn't be. It's kind of a fascinating re-finish, it's certainly the best non-factory one I have ever seen that is obviously non-factory. Normally a re-finish would bother me, but this one is all good.

- There was some active rust on the hammer/trigger, started clearing it up, will keep on it and look for other spots. Overall however its in better "as long neglected" shape then I expected.

- There is old, blued over pitting under the grips. The donor gun was certainly not pristine when it was "butchered" up.


A couple more pictures with slightly different light:

Overall I could scarcely be happier with it.

 

[Kansasgunner]

That is a very neat old revolver! The stories that gun could probably tell[emoji43]
Congratulations on that one.

 

[SAFireman]

Ok, but how does it shoot

 

[Borderboss]

For me, it's hard not to like this gun. The work was clearly was done to be utilitarian. I'm not sure if getting it lettered to find out where it was originally shipped would help to know who might have wanted the work done, but it could if it turns out to be shipped to a law enforcement agency.

After the cleanup, I would see about fitting it with a Tyler T-Grip or a BK, and then start carrying it. It's just too cool to not.

 

[Spajohn]

This reminds me of chopping a motorcycle; it's usually done to an individual's tastes and may not be for everyone, and what one person sees as dangerous another sees as sexy.
Removing the trigger guard is the same thing as taking off the primary chain guard on a motorcycle. You just have to know what's what and don't wear those bell bottoms when you ride, or pull the trigger when you're getting it out of your pants.

 

[delcrossv]

It's interesting, I'll admit.

But just so I'm clear as to where I am on such things:

Here's a Pre 33 as I received it:

and after I finished working on it.

 

[Modified]

It's interesting, I'll admit.

But just so I'm clear as to where I am on such things:

Here's a Pre 33 as I received it:

and after I finished working on it.

Haha, did some poor mook get brained with that trigger guard? Is that what I am seeing in those pictures?


Another thing that was pointed out to me when I was just chatting about this gun with Keith Brown is that the area forward of the trigger guard, where the Yoke connects to the gun, has also been rounded off.

It's pretty drastic actually, now that its pointed out to me. I wonder what else this gunsmith did that I'm missing?

 

[Hondo44]

It arrived. It's kind of glorious and I love it.

- Very very interesting mark on the top of the barrel, remnant of original patent?

That's a dingbat, that last character on the patent date/address barrel rollmark. There was also one at the front end on many pre war HEs.

 

[Flygas]

I was mildly interested when I first saw it in the auction, but your photos make a huge difference. If the original auction photos had been half as good as yours', I'd have given you some competition. Love it! Congratulations on another great character gun.

 

[delcrossv]

That's a dingbat, that last character on the patent date/address barrel rollmark. There was also one at the front end on many pre war HEs.

You sure Jim? With that gun I'd guess it's some sort of motorcycle gang symbol.

Roscoe is very "business oriented" if you catch my meaning.

 

[iskra]

A Few Words...

"Requiem For A Heavyweight..."

I'm with those here far wiser than me, who say to leave it alone!

Best & Happy Holidays to All!
John

 

[steelslaver]

I think it is pretty cool really. A example of how people make something just how THEY want it. I am sure the guy who did it gave a rats rear about what others though. He was very happy with it. The details like the grooved trigger, front sight and back strap, the work on the rear sight all testify to it being a labor of love.

 

[Hondo44]

The trigger appears to be the original with custom grooving.

 

[Modified]

Broke out my other triple lock and snapped a picture.

 

[mtgianni]

That was built for a purpose and achieves it. I really like the second set of pictures.

 

[Greymann]

Beautiful piece what a great find.

 

[Pig Hunter]

Well played! Those days mods were done because the end user was pretty sure it would be used in defense of their life. Whoever did the mods wasn't a hack. Money was really hard to come by in the late 30's and that kind of work wasn't cheap. While a pristine collectable piece that is never used is desired by most collectors, to me they sterile. A handgun is meant to be a tool. Atool not used is just a hunk of metal no matter how well done. ymmv

 

[keith44spl]

Eighty or ninety years ago...

That is something I would have done !

.

 

[Hondo44]

Broke out my other triple lock and snapped a picture.

I'd love to know the weight difference of those two, or between the "Roscoe" and a 4" TL.

The more I look at it, the more I appreciate it and it's intended purpose.
I'd still need a full trigger guard and more hand filling stocks, something like these customs but in a RB:

Photo credit: jmace57

 

[Modified]

I'd love to know the weight difference of those two, or between the "Roscoe" and a 4" TL.

The more I look at it, the more I appreciate it and it's intended purpose.
I'd still need a full trigger guard and more hand filling stocks, something like these customs but in a RB:

Photo credit: jmace57

Out of curiosity, who made those "Magnas", do you know?

I've seen a set just like that on a picture of one of Phil Sharpe's guns.

 

[Hondo44]

I wish I knew, as I recall the owner didn't know either.

I finally made some copies for a K frame and a Baby J frame Chiefs out of damaged factory target grips I had for each.

 

[Modified]

The kiddos were occupied briefly with a large pile of dominos so I popped to the gunroom with a scale real quick to answer a question people keep asking me. Please forgive the quick and dirty pictures, the scale is set in ounces:

Roscoe weighs in at 34.2oz

The closest competition for carrying that I have is this pre-war snubby M&P, weighing in at 28.2oz

For reference I grabbed my Model 19 and tossed it on the scale, that weighed in at 35.85oz

At this point children yelling drew me away from this activity so I didn't have time to dig out my Triple Lock. If anyone can weigh a stock 4" Triple Lock I would love to know just how much weight was actually shaved off of Roscoe.

 

[Messer]

Here is my 4" - unloaded, but it has a S&W Grip Adapter (still missing the rubber insert)

 

[Tom K]

After re-reading this thread I have to think that if Elmer Keith had done the modifications and written about it and called it the #6, everyone would have loved it.

 

[Modified]

Hah, maybe. Certainly would be a lot more of them out there to find.

In any case I'm increasingly happy with the gun, every time I hold it I like it a little more.

Here is my 4" - unloaded, but it has a S&W Grip Adapter (still missing the rubber insert)

Hah, so he only managed to shave 5 ounces off! That's a lot of work for such little return.

 

[Borderboss]

Hah, so he only managed to shave 5 ounces off! That's a lot of work for such little return.

But I'm sure the handling characteristics are much better with Roscoe.