Triple Lock Target Appreciation Thread

[Brian in Oregon]

Here's my Triple Lock Target circa 1914, serial 142xx. I didn't see a Triple Lock appreciation thread, so making a stand alone post. (Changing it to "Triple Lock Target Appreciation Thread" per suggestion in a post below.)

I don't know if the grips were serial numbered to the gun in those days. These grips have no numbers stamped in them. The threaded insert is spinning in the wood, making disassembly very difficult. Could use some advice on how to secure it in the grip. Perhaps Accru-Glas or similar?

The front sight says "W.F. Sheard Tacoma, Wash." on one side and "Pat. June 12, 1900" with "No. 35" below it. The finish on the sight is inferior to that on the gun. The sight finish looks more like what was called "Japaning" or "Japan black" back in the day instead of being blued.

Double action is smooth but stiff. Single action is a real joy. Gun is quite accurate.

Have not shot it much. Once in a while I'll do some impromptu target work with it. It's just begging to go pop a few varmints.

 

[murphydog]

Very nice! The stocks of this era usually had the SN written in pencil; if you look on the inside of the panels in good light at varying angles you may see it, or it may have faded and not be readable.

Changing out the front sight is/was an easy task and often seen in Target guns of this era. Every little advantage to beat the competition, you know.... A very small amount of lubrication may make the DA pull lighter, no harm in trying. Enjoy!

 

[DCWilson]

Very nice specimen. Congratulations on having that one in the safe!

I suggest you go back and edit your post title to "Triple Lock Target Appreciation Thread." If we don't have one, we should. Here is my contribution to the concept you defined.

I don't have single images or detail shots of either of these, but these two refinished TL targets came to live with me a few years ago. One is a factory reblue from 1926, the other a non-factory job. The squarish front sight on the rear gun is labeled "King."

 

[Club Gun Fan]

This is mine. It was in a special group of 12 Club Guns made in 1906. The serial numbers were 088 to 099. In the letter it states "This was the first group of these revolvers produced and they were generally provided to target shooters. This revolver is the lowest of the serial number (088 - 099) , but was not the first one recorded as being shipped." It was delivered to a G. Allen, no address listed. I don't know who he was, but, he must have been important to receive the first Triple Lock ever made.

 

[bettis1]

Brian,

Welcome to the Forum. That's a very nice TL Target. Although you may see several posted here, don't make the mistake of thinking they are common-they aren't.

Regarding the grip removal: The little brass stock escutcheons have tiny serrations around their periphery that grip the wood. It sounds like, in your case, they have stripped the wood. Here is what I would try. Take a strong sewing needle and tap it into the wood at the edge of the escutcheon, being careful not to distort either. What you want to do is simply wedge the brass and the wood. It might even take a couple of needles. Then put a drop of penetrating oil in the screw hole and let it soak in.

When you feel that the oil has done its work use a properly fitted screwdriver (Blade that fits the screw head both in width and length) and attempt to gradually exert some pressure on the screw.

Note: The most frequent reason for the screw escutcheon to become loose is that someone has attempted to remove the right panel by loosening the screw and then tapping on it to unseat the panel. If the stock is stuck tight, the escutcheon gives way before the stock comes loose.

Bob

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Bob, I got the escutcheon loose by using a pair of needle nose pliers with the ends rounded and polished to fit the inside curve of the escutcheon. This gripped it without damage and allowed the screw to be turned. Just need to decide on how to bond it in place permanently in the least obtrusive manner possible.

Tom in AZ, it would be interesting to find out when the revolver was refinished by S&W and trigger changed, since that might give a clue when the sight was set up. I wonder if it was done when Elmer Keith was using that type of sight for long range shooting? I recall seeing a photo in an old American Rifleman of Keith's sight, and another from the 1970s or so with someone's Model 29 set up the same way, with two inlaid silver bars on a serrated ramp.

 

[JSW]

So many beautiful Smith & Wesson revolvers ~ Congrats everybody!

 

[mrcvs]

This is mine. It was in a special group of 12 Club Guns made in 1906. The serial numbers were 088 to 099. In the letter it states "This was the first group of these revolvers produced and they were generally provided to target shooters. This revolver is the lowest of the serial number (088 - 099) , but was not the first one recorded as being shipped." It was delivered to a G. Allen, no address listed. I don't know who he was, but, he must have been important to receive the first Triple Lock ever made.

Is the front sight on No 088, as pictured, factory original?

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Yes, I have seen two others in this group and they have the same front sight.

 

[S&W ucla]

Here is my favorite. It's been used but not abused and how could I pass up a 5" bbl, 44spl Target?

 

[Tom K]

Here's an original (with non-factory replacement grips) that I posted about when I got it.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...lock-target-2629-updated-grips-post-12-a.html

I also have a .455 converted to a .45 Colt target model by an unknown gunsmith.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...t-conversion-not-king-tulsa-april-2014-a.html

There are other Triple Locks (and other hand ejectors) out there built as target guns apparently by the same unknown smith - a feature that I see them having in common is the modified hammer.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/359257-modified-butchered.html

Here's a 4" sold on Gunbroker:
Smith & Wesson 44 Triple Lock Target 4" NO RESERVE : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[Toyman]

Here is my Triple Lock target shipped Jan 5, 1916 serial 6135

 

[cgt4570]

Here's my contribution. I have correct grips for it but I kinda like the ivories.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Here is a close up of the front sight on 088.

 

[Memphis]

Chris, I like the Ivories too! But my favorite thing about that gun is the barrel length!

Very nice.

Roger

Don, that front sight looks like Abe Lincolns hat. I like it (a lot).

 

[DGT]

Here is the only one i have.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

If Anyone wants to let One go,Send me a PM.

 

[mrcvs]

Yes, I have seen two others in this group and they have the same front sight.

I suspected it to be original, but I had never seen a sight quite like it. Congratulations on owning another GREAT Smith & Wesson! (You know what the 'other' in another is!)

 

[Bat Guano]

5"Triple Lock Target, .44 Special

Picked this one up at a gun show, day 2, circa 1975. Nobody noticed it. I had only $25 on me--just went down to look around with no intentions of buying anything that day. The seller agreed to take my $25 and hold it. I sent the other $200 to him in the mail next day. Needless to say I don't get lucky like this very often.

The gun (#2713) letters as being correct, and was shipped to Carlsson Lush Hardware, Boise, Idaho March 7, 1911. It came to me with the standard square notch rear sight blade, and a Lyman ivory bead front sight. A friend of mine copied the front sight on his TL Target and we installed this one to shoot.

The story that came with the gun (FWIW!) was that it belonged to a policeman in Las Vegas at some point. The blue wear suggests that it indeed spent some time in a holster. Other than finish wear, it's perfect.

Craig Spegel made me some Roper-like target grips for it, but it wears the originals most of the time.

 

[Hondo44]

Here are the two I was lucky enough to find and acquire. I like targets.

This one I bought over twenty years ago, 7/94, from the grandson of the original owner. Original target #5437. All matching #s including stocks, front sight blade, rear sight, and rear sight blade. Sorry for lousy photo.

This one is a more recent find, factory target #2702. I removed the rubber grips the seller had on it and passed them back to him with payment. All matching numbers including rear sight and rear sight blade. Front sight with gold inlay stamped Redfield. My son added the Sandersons. Very nicely refinished but not at the factory:

Super fine checkered rear sight surface: