Triple Lock...should I get it? Hmmm...

[Kurusu]

You live in the USA and saw your first TL today. Very well. How old are you? If over 50 just buy it. if under 50 you may wait to find a better specimen. Or not.

Me, I live in Europe. I only saw (and shot) one TL in my life, I was 43. It belongs to a friend who's not selling. It's far from perfect, albeit all original, and it was a BSR in .455.


Figure it out yourself. That is all I can say. And it's not like they making them anymore.

 

[EarlB]

Yep, that's my problem too - plus David Carroll is holding something for me that I must pay for first. If it's there when I can get back to it fine, if not so be it.

Earl

Earl,

I saw that gun too, I was at that location on Thursday picking up some powder and bore brushes. I stared at it for a few minutes but never asked to handle it. Even though it is refinished the gun has a lot of appeal and after all it is a Triple Lock. I would have bought it myself except I have purchased 3 Colt SAA's in the past 2 weeks and depleted my gun funds.

 

[Kurusu]

Yep, that's my problem too - plus David Carroll is holding something for me that I must pay for first. If it's there when I can get back to it fine, if not so be it.

Earl

So many interesting guns. So little money. I can relate to that brother.

 

[22hipower]

Well, we all want original finish but I guess some folks think factory refinish is close enough. This TL, albeit target model, sold for over $7k tonight.

S&W 44 HE 1ST MODEL TRIPLE LOCK TARGET 6.5" BLUE - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 795607086

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Hoosier45]

Well, we all want original finish but I guess some folks think factory refinish is close enough. This TL, albeit target model, sold for over $7k tonight.
S&W 44 HE 1ST MODEL TRIPLE LOCK TARGET 6.5" BLUE - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 795607086
Jeff
SWCA #1457

Exactly my thought. I'd gladly pay $1k for a nicely refinished triple lock. Prices on original finish TLs have been climbing.

 

[LLOYD17]

I knew I was buying a refinished TL but I really wanted a TL and I really preferred a shorter barrel. So I bought a 5" nickel for less than a G (after selling the later stocks) which turned out to be a factory nickel refinish on an originally nickel TL. Im happy. Now I just need to shoot it.

 

[Hondo44]

Well, we all want original finish but I guess some folks think factory refinish is close enough. This TL, albeit target model, sold for over $7k tonight.

S&W 44 HE 1ST MODEL TRIPLE LOCK TARGET 6.5" BLUE - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 795607086

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Too bad it was factory refinished in '63 when the then current practice was polishing pins flat.

 

[mrcvs]

Well, we all want original finish but I guess some folks think factory refinish is close enough. This TL, albeit target model, sold for over $7k tonight.

S&W 44 HE 1ST MODEL TRIPLE LOCK TARGET 6.5" BLUE - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 795607086

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Yes, $7066 including shipping. I assume that price would include a "discount" relative to what buyer's would have bid, had this one not been factory refinished in 1963, but this seems hard to believe. I think two or more bidders really wanted this one. I think it would be difficult to resell and get one's money out of it.

What do others think?

 

[S&WsRsweet]

An auctioneers dream get a couple or more bidders with deep pockets into a bidding war especialy if you can get them into an emotional ( I'm gonna win ) frenzy. I use to go to automobile auctions quite a bit ..an auctioneer friend had a couple of girls that were real lookers they would work the crowd and figure out who was who and try to get a couple or more deep pocket types bidding hard .The girl who's guy "won" would jump around and dance a little and the other one would put on the little girl pouty lips thing .The next time you can believe that fellow would make for sure his little girl was happy not pouty lol .Grown men will do some stupid things if you can get those egos involved.

 

[delcrossv]

Yes, $7066 including shipping. I assume that price would include a "discount" relative to what buyer's would have bid, had this one not been factory refinished in 1963, but this seems hard to believe. I think two or more bidders really wanted this one. I think it would be difficult to resell and get one's money out of it.

What do others think?

I think it was the "two bidders really wanted it" scenario. It looked very nice, but IMHO that price was outrageous.

I do note that prices for triple locks seem to be all over the board.

 

[CScott]

It isn't a collector piece, just a shooter.
Earl

"just a shooter"? What do you mean "just"?
I bought the only TL that I've ever laid eyes on. Re-blued, shortened, and needed a new hand and some stoning here and there. I paid about the same. I can shoot it all I want (and I do), and that is worth a lot more to me than just having an "investment" sitting in a safe. (Doesn't an investment have to be sold to be of value?)
It was built to be in use for a hundred years and more; buy it and have fun with it. Join the Triple Lock club. 44 Special to boot! You won't be sorry!
Trust me,
Scott