Triple Lock barrel lengths of 5”, 6 1/2”; 4” in “limited quantity”

[mrcvs]

I thought this to be worthy of a thread of its own, as it might resolver a few misconceptions.

From time to time, it is asked if Smith & Wesson produced a Triple Lock with a 6" barrel. To date, one has never surfaced. In History of Smith & Wesson , by Roy G Jinks (1977), the following is stated on pages194 - 195, with reference to the Triple Lock revolver:

"When the revolver was introduced in 1908, the catalog stated it was available in blue or nickel, 5" or 6 1/2" barrel in either .44 S & W Russian or .44 S & W Special caliber. Like many other models, the factory manufactured a limited quantity of pistols with 4" barrels and offered the handgun chambered in .38 -40, .44 - 40, and the .45 Colt."

NOTE: There is NO mention of a 6" barrel length.

Also, in Smith & Wesson 1857 - 1945, by Neal & Jinks, on page 200, it does state the barrel lengths were 4", 5", 6 1/2", and 7 1/2".

Again, no mention of a 6" barrel length.

The factory letters do state it was available in five barrel lengths, including 6".

Perhaps an internal memo originally indicated the intent to include the 6" barrel length and perhaps it's never been definitively proven that a 6" barrel length might not surface one day, and so that may be why the statement remains on the factory letters.

However, the reference books at least suggest otherwise.

Attached is a photograph of several Triple Lock revolvers of various barrel lengths and finishes.

 

[RKmesa]

...Attached is a photograph of several Triple Lock revolvers of various barrel lengths and finishes.

Great collection of TLs.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[Summersteel]

Perhaps, a question for Roy?

 

[wheelgun610]

Simply put, it never would have made any kind of sense to offer both 6" and 6-1/2" barrel lengths for a TL. It's never been a secret that five inch and 6-1/2 inchers are the most common, and that four and 7-1/2" tubes were available, but are generally considered to be anywhere from scarce to rare.

I just want someone to go out and find me one of the four inch 2nd Model .44's that are mentioned in the SCSW. And show me a legit photo of of it when you find one.

Mark

 

[mrcvs]

Simply put, it never would have made any kind of sense to offer both 6" and 6-1/2" barrel lengths for a TL.

Why would that be any different than a Registered Magnum, with a variety of barrel lengths as different as 1/4" variation from a preceding and/or following barrel length. 6" would have been nearly halfway between the two most common barrel lengths.

 

[wheelgun610]

Why would that be any different than a Registered Magnum...

The barrels for TL's were made in a different process than those for RM's. For TL' s (and any fixed sighted S&W), the barrel was forged from a die specifically made for one barrel length, and the front sight was an integral part of the forging. In other words, front sight blades on TL's weren't added to the barrel. On target sighted TL's, the fixed blade was milled off, and a notch was milled into the base and a hole drilled for the pin that retains the blade.

On the other hand, barrels for RM's were all forged from the same size die, and each RM barrel started out as a barrel that could be cut to any length from 3-1/2" to 8-3/4". And of course, the front sights for the ribbed barrels were add-on parts.

Mark