Triple lock resque-update

andy52

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I'm not sure why I even did this, soft spot in my heart or my head? Just bought a old and tired triple lock on GB. It was sort of mislisted as a 1926 model in the main description. Poor old thing has seen many a hard mile. I couldn't even tell if it left the factory as a nickel finish or not. If ever I've seen a triple lock that needed a full restoration this may be it. I'll probably have it lettered before I make any decisions on how to proceed with it. Now guys don't cringe to much when you look at the pictures.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/773443939
 
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I don't think this is too bad...depending on what you have in it. If you don't mind me asking, what do you have in it as this determined if you did well or not. Clearly buffed and renickeled, but it does have an original 5" barrel, which is uncommon. I know the barrel has not been cut as the markings on the barrel reflect a true 5" barrel and not one shortened from 6 1/2".

I would get a proper set of N frame grips with medallions that reflect the condition of this gun. Should cost you (well) under $100. I did this to one I own almost identical to yours except with an original 4" barrel and it greatly improved the appearance. Given that you cannot harm mine, and this is the case with yours, and mine has a short(er) barrel, this is my concealed carry piece.
 
Ya, it looks like it was rode hard and put away wet. But, if it still functions ok it will probably shoot fine. I don't think it was redone, hammer, trigger and cam plate all case hardened. Led a life already, but still a triple lock and a cool gun to have if the price was right.

Yes it's still a triple lock and best I can tell it dates to about 1911. The price was just about what I could get if I sold it for parts at just a little over 700, but really I'm thinking about bringing it back from the dead.
 
The price was just about what I could get if I sold it for parts at just a little over 700...

That's a reasonable price for what yours is, and about what mine ran me a few years ago. Also, I saw a similar one sell in this range at an auction in March, but that one had a standard 6 1/2" barrel.
 
Nice save. That could be a fun project gun.

This would be the soft place in my heart, if the gun letters to 1911 that would be the birth year of my grandmother, if a letter confirms that I'll send it to Fords for a full restoration and it will have a place of honor in my home. The trigger and hammer might have to go to Turnbulls because I don't think Fords does case hardening.
 
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One day at the local gun shop they were talking about this old Smith they'd gotten in in a box sale from an estate. They thought it was a Triple Lock, as soon as I saw it I took it from the gunsmith. Turned it over and realized it was a Colt. Then I realized it was in .45 Colt and then read the butt and saw it was a Model 1909 U.S.Army. Needless to say I did not let go of it. Was disappointed it was not a Triple Lock, but not by much.

By the way I'd have bought that TL too. Congrats and good luck. Let us know what the letter says.
 
When nickel looks bad, it really looks bad. Normally, I am against refinishing such an old revolver, but I can see why you want to. As a first step, you should replace the plastic faux stag stocks. That alone will improve its appearance a lot.

The seller did misidentify it as a Model 1926, but at least he did know it's a TL (as he clearly states in the description). So he sold it knowing (more or less) what it is. You got a good buy.
 
I agree. Give it a good cleaning and then a coat of wax. There are safe queens and then there are guns that have been there and done that. I like the gun just the way it is and "pretty" will probably not make it shoot any better.

In my book any N frame S&W that is not a boat anchor is already worth $500 IMHO, add the fact that it's a triple lock and $755 is not a bad price. If it turns out that it was once owned by someone special then it's a bargain. ;)
 
It is just me, but after a trip to the range and confirming that all interior was ok and not only functioning properly with good or great accuracy, this old gal would go off to Fords in Crystal River for a refinish. I love the restored to new look on these old guns, way better than leaving it "as is". I think, I am holding a gun in my hand that looked like this 100 years ago. I love the restorer look sometimes
 
If that had been original blue it would just be a brown gun. I don't think its been refinished, I'll bet when cleaned inside that sideplate will sit flush. I don't see other indications(?)
Grips are difficult to find, and expensive.
I'd think twice before sending it to Fords, what they did to a Colt once posted here would keep me from EVER sending anything to them. A righteous hand-polish and professional rust blue could make it a very nice revolver.
I don't think you got hurt too badly, and i'm normally the skeptic.
 
That's a clear case of Stage 3 character, and I love it.

I'd clean it up and say, "Old buddy, you've come home. Let's go shooting and swap some yarns."
 
I had one like that once, mine was made in 1917 according to when I had it lettered. It had a bit of endshake, but it shot decently and I kept the loads mild. I had thought about having it redone, but I decided to leave it be. It was .44 Special. I hated to sell it but when the bills come due I had to part with it, and a few others I wish I still had.

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.....I'll send it to Fords for a full restoration and it will have a place of honor in my home. The trigger and hammer might have to go to Turnbulls because I don't think Fords does case hardening.

Ford's does a case color, of sorts, I had a trigger done by them recently. Were I you, I would defer and have it done elsewhere. You can do a very good job of it yourself with Oxpho-blue cream, a Q-Tip and some practice.
 
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Refinished vs not?

Obviously, as others have suggested, if there's a B within the shroud, this Triple Lock was originally blued, so this would be a later renickel. If an N is present, then not so easy.

That which suggests original finish:

Middle lock insert in frame not renickeled. Often this is missed when refinishing (e.g., bluing or nickel inaccurately applied to this piece.

Most markings fairly crisp.

Side plate appears to generally fit well, although seam more evident than I would expect, but this could just be pattern of wear.

Where screws are located, no dishing beneath heads.

No obvious rounded edges.

That which suggests refinish:

Reference to side plate, perhaps not from pattern of wear but from refinish.

On side plate the word "TRADE" appears to be exceptionally weak and seems to contain nickel. Suggests buffing and renickeling.

All markings on side plate appear weaker than expected. Could be wear, an optical illusion, or evidence of refinish.

Wear pattern to nickel finish more typical of refinish and wear vs wear to original pattern. This is, by no means, foolproof. I don't know how to explain it, but, in my experience, renickeled guns wear differently from wear pattern exhibited by original nickel finish.

Left side of trigger appears to contain nickel. This would not be historically correct. Right side does not; could be just an optical illusion.

It would be much easier to determine if I had the gun in hand, but I believe that this one is not refinished as most discrepancies are likely explained By photographic technique or optical illusion.
 
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It looks to me like the side plate is not completely seated for some reason.

Refinish? Either go for the whole meal deal or leave it alone, but ditch the plastic grips. If your going to use it as a wall hanger of times gone by, clean it up well wax it, stick some better grips on it and let it talk.
 
It's a keeper...just as it is

It's a nice, fully-functional early Triplelock...one that many of us would love to own and shoot. She may not be the purtiest girl at the dance, but I'll bet she'll show you a good time! As a majority of the Forum members have recommended, first give it a good cleaning and polish and see how she turns out. If you decide that you are still unhappy with it, you have a couple of choices- you could sell it to one of us, or send it out for a re-finish. It's your revolver and your decision, but I'll bet that you give it a good polishing and you'll keep it.
 

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