Triple Lock Revolver: Refinished, or not?

[mrcvs]

The finish does not look at all like a factory finish from the era. More like a 1920’s factory refinish?

Just a moment...

The first two photographs are of a Triple Lock revolver I own factory refinished in 1921.

The second two photographs are of a Triple Lock revolver with original factory finish, as the Gunbroker-linked revolver should look, in comparison.

 

[dobegrant]

Well can’t offer much on the finish/refinish but it sure is a neat looking revolver

 

[Modified]

It all looked really good until this picture:

Up to that point it looked like the gun was just really really oily.

The area behind the hammer looks weird. But it could be a reflection of something.

Otherwise that gun looks really really good to me. I don't see signs of re-finish in other pictures.

 

[rct269]

Once upon a time, I had a .44 HE 4th Target---absolutely perfect---except for the cylinder. It was a fugitive from a junk yard!

I called Turnbull----"Can you reblue a cylinder to match the rest of the gun?" "Yes."

Not too long after that, we were at Watkins Glen for a race; and Turnbull's is just down the road a piece. Off we go!

We were warmly greeted, ushered into the inner sanctum where I presented my job, and told them what had transpired on the phone earlier-----"Yes."

As it turned out we were talking to the Head Man of bluing now, and he wasn't who we talked to on the phone----and the Head Man said "No." Then he explained thus: "Bluing is a living thing---it reacts to its environment. We can refinish that cylinder, and it will look exactly like it did when it left the factory; but it won't look like the gun looks now. Now we can do the job 50 times, altering the several variables each time, and we MIGHT come up with a match twice." "How do you like those odds?"

I allowed as how I didn't much care for them at all, and we went on our way.

The moral of this story is "Bluing is a living thing---it reacts to its environment." Comparing blued finishes without knowing/considering the respective environments over time is one of those things that brought about that old saying about comparing apples and oranges---so sayeth THE MAN from Turnbull's----a pretty hip dude!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Mikebiker]

The picture above and the one of the topstrap both look odd. I think they are both a combination of a reflection and the streaks left when wiping the gun down. Those kind of high polish finishes are very hard to get to look flawless. As outstanding gun in my opinion.

 

[wheelgun610]

It all looked really good until this picture:

Up to that point it looked like the gun was just really really oily.

The area behind the hammer looks weird. But it could be a reflection of something.

Otherwise that gun looks really really good to me. I don't see signs of re-finish in other pictures.

The gun looks 100% righteous to me. The funny looking area behind the hammer is most likely just streaking from the gun being wiped down.

Mark

 

[mrcvs]

It all looked really good until this picture:

Up to that point it looked like the gun was just really really oily.

The area behind the hammer looks weird. But it could be a reflection of something.

Otherwise that gun looks really really good to me. I don't see signs of re-finish in other pictures.

And that’s the photograph that made me question it as well. The finish is a little weaker here, but that’s from being grasped with sweaty hands. I would have expected a better fit of the stock here, however.

I’m guessing the photographs and poor depiction of the blued finish is why it hammered lower than I thought it would, at $6025.

A photograph of the frame under the stocks would have proved helpful, ruling out the presence of a month and year code indicative of a return to the factory.

I didn’t bid on this one. I had to travel for work yesterday and forgot about it until the auction was over.

 

[Modified]

The gun looks 100% righteous to me. The funny looking area behind the hammer is most likely just streaking from the gun being wiped down.

Mark

I think you are right, I bet that if they had taken one more photo of that area from another angle it would look fine.

Although, looking at it again the next day, the little dings along the edge of where the hammer is do seem slightly odd to me.

 

[Heinz]

It could be reflections and it could also be cold blue was used to cover up edge wear and grip wear.

 

[2152hq]

All of the side plate screws have been screwed/unscrewed with a screwdriver blade that was too long for the slot.
The blade tore up the edge of the sideplate itself in each instance.

Plus, the edge of the side plate where it meets the frame right underneath the cylinder,,,that long straight edge,,is upset with several burrs that have remained high. Those burrs or turned up metal have since had their bluing worn off and are now 'in the white..
There are some other signs of the same around the edges of the sideplate fit seam as well but that is the most noticeable area.

You can bring up that particular pic on the auction site and then go over the pic with the curser to enlarge the areas. It is easily seen at that point.

Another point is the grips.
The top rounded portions of the service style grips are cut with a flat chamfer. This comes all the way around and ends in a concave cut where the small flat begins. All very nicely done. Smooth cuts.
This I just don't know if it is factory or not. I just noticed it and it didn't look all that familiar to me so I thought I'd point it out.
Perhaps it's correct, I don't know.

The pic of the butt and ser#. Look at the ends and the overall symmetry, or lack of it actually, in the what should be rounded ends of the back and front straps and the grip panels themselves.
Polished way off center from being an Oval shape of any kind. Not something I expect from that era.
Maybe just the picture playing optical games.


The muzzle dings look odd on a gun that would be NIB and with little handling. The forward face of the front sight base in the same pic is battered as well though somewhat out of focus.
Forgot to polish those in a re-finish?


It's a great looker otherwise,,but a few small points make me hesitate to believe what it's presented to be.

 

[handejector]

All of the side plate screws have been screwed/unscrewed with a screwdriver blade that was too long for the slot.
The blade tore up the edge of the sideplate itself in each instance.

That is true, but it is not as bad as many.
I disagree with most of your other points though.
The grips are original and wear the original finish. Someone mentioned bad grip fit, but it is just shadows and reflection. They appear perfectly fit to me.
The buffing of the butt corners is normal variation. The dings around the sideplate are typical idiot marks made by someone bouncing the sideplate around while removing and installing.


IMO, this gun is all original and righteous with one exception--

That spot behind the hammer has been hit with a very fine grinding wheel- probably a rubber abrasive wheel. Maybe it had a bad ding, or maybe someone removed his name or initials or a police evidence mark. It was touched up with cold blue. The sideplate was off the gun at the time, and you can see a tiny lip of sideplate showing above the frame.
Otherwise it is a pretty gun, but not NIB.

 

[mrcvs]

That is true, but it is not as bad as many.
I disagree with most of your other points though.
The grips are original and wear the original finish. Someone mentioned bad grip fit, but it is just shadows and reflection. They appear perfectly fit to me.
The buffing of the butt corners is normal variation. The dings around the sideplate are typical idiot marks made by someone bouncing the sideplate around while removing and installing.


IMO, this gun is all original and righteous with one exception--

That spot behind the hammer has been hit with a very fine grinding wheel- probably a rubber abrasive wheel. Maybe it had a bad ding, or maybe someone removed his name or initials or a police evidence mark. It was touched up with cold blue. The sideplate was off the gun at the time, and you can see a tiny lip of sideplate showing above the frame.
Otherwise it is a pretty gun, but not NIB.

So, at $6025 plus shipping, likely a sales tax (depending on state of residence) and FFL fees, WITH likely THE box, but in need of repair, was the price too high, too low, or about right?

My guess is, in light of the fact it’s not NIB, it was no bargain, but not overpriced, either—e.g., “about right”.

Edit: However, the hue of the blue still, to me, still looks suspiciously of a 1920’s factory refinish.

 

[mrcvs]

So, at $6025 plus shipping, likely a sales tax (depending on state of residence) and FFL fees, WITH likely THE box, but in need of repair, was the price too high, too low, or about right?

My guess is, in light of the fact it’s not NIB, it was no bargain, but not overpriced, either—e.g., “about right”.

Edit: However, the hue of the blue still, to me, still looks suspiciously of a 1920’s factory refinish.

Thoughts anyone? Or, what would YOU pay for this revolver and associated box, presumably THE box?

 

[Hondo44]

IMHO:
Not refinished but not unfired. I wouldn’t pay the hammer price and maybe not even half that price. It was a very nice gun until bubba worked on it. Whatever reason caused someone to carelessly remove the side plate and screw around with the finish on the knuckle; the result is pitiful. The original blemish or damage would be preferred to what it is now.

 

[mrcvs]

IMHO:
Not refinished but not unfired. I wouldn’t pay the hammer price and maybe not even half that price. It was a very nice gun until bubba worked on it. Whatever reason caused someone to carelessly remove the side plate and screw around with the finish on the knuckle; the result is pitiful. The original blemish or damage would be preferred to what it is now.

Once again, no bargains on Gunbroker.

I would have thought with the box half of what it hammered at might be a little on the light side, but maybe not?

 

[2152hq]

The hefty polish mark on the knuckle is something that's hard to overlook and then list the gun as NIB.

One thing about that large rough polish mark. Aside from why it may have been done...The gun had to have been reblued in order for that area to have the deep blue color it now has with the rough grind/polish beneath it.
How does that happen on an orig Factory blued finish.

Yes there are ways to spot in bluing, using rust blue and even hot blue for touch up.
But then we'd have a gun that's been reblued,,not orig factory finish.

Those multiple dents and dings on the muzzle still don't fit in with the otherwise pristine look, nor does the rounded and beat up front face of the front sight ramp.
Looks like it was used as nut&bolt sorter from that end. But the rest is near pristine. Why?
Don't things like that cause people to question stuff.

..and one more thing in the pic of the knuckle grind mark..take a look at the dings and dents on the frame on the LEFT side of the trigger.
I think someone mentioned this but I'll bring it up again.
No side plate on this side,,just the solid frame of course.
Why the pry marks? Trying to wedge the hammer out of the frame w/a screw driver.
NIB,,sure


.

 

[Hondo44]

The hefty polish mark on the knuckle is something that's hard to overlook and then list the gun as NIB.

One thing about that large rough polish mark. Aside from why it may have been done...The gun had to have been reblued in order for that area to have the deep blue color it now has with the rough grind/polish beneath it.
How does that happen on an orig Factory blued finish.

Yes there are ways to spot in bluing, using rust blue and even hot blue for touch up.

I've seen cold blue touch ups on otherwise original factory finished guns and that is exactly what it looks like.

 

[mrcvs]

Best just saving one’s pennies and buying something without problems, something that does not require an explanation.

 

[rct269]

Best just saving one’s pennies and buying something without problems, something that does not require an explanation.

AMEN!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[2152hq]

I've seen cold blue touch ups on otherwise original factory finished guns and that is exactly what it looks like.

Must be the special professional grade from Birchwood Casey unavailable to the general public.
Maybe they did the muzzle and front sight up with it too, but just forgot to run them over the same grinder first to remove the dents.
I just can't believe how all the obvious faults are so easily explained away on a supposed NIB gun. Maybe because it's a TL?

I'd like to see the inside of the grips. Maybe it has B.T.K scratched inside.