Triplelock

[Mule88]

I have a triplelock .44 special 5 inch bbl., very shootable with nice lockup. Sometime in its past it had been renickled (poorly) the lettering on the gun is barley visible from the renickle. Does anyone know anyone who can refinish the gun and restore the lettering so it will appear sharp and readable. thanx in advance.

 

[Mule88]

I have a triplelock .44 special 5 inch bbl., very shootable with nice lockup. Sometime in its past it had been renickled (poorly) the lettering on the gun is barley visible from the renickle. Does anyone know anyone who can refinish the gun and restore the lettering so it will appear sharp and readable. thanx in advance.

 

[mikepriwer]

There are people around who can do this, but it will cost far more than
the gun is worth. For one thing, its not cheap to strip the old nickel
finish off. No telling what is underneath it. Then, if the correct roll
marking dies are not available, the lettering would have to be hand-cut,
and that will never look original.

While you may not like this suggestion, your best bet is to sell the
gun, and find one in better condition.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[bowie]

Mr and Mrs Ford, who are fine folks can handle the refinish and restoration of lettering.

Do a google search for Ford's Firearms Refinishing for their site. Prices are listed.

Good luck
Joe Sharpe
memphis

"Never trust a woman or an automatic pistol", John Dellinger.

 

[PZ93C]

Letter it first. You don't want to renickel a revolver that was originally blue, right?

Don't laugh, it's happened to a member before.

 

[lonewolf]

Mule88; Coincidentally to your post, I shot 50 rounds this afternoon "in my backyard" this PM(240 gr. lswc over 6.5 Unique out of one of my T.L.s. A fairly rare 7.5" Target model, all original, with probably 85% finish.

Scarce gun,but would probably not be "worthy" enough for some of the "serious collectors" here

But, to me, it is a piece of history, and one that I am the caretaker of while I own it and are able to,-but one that I want to enjoy. Gun has suffered no additional finish wear in the 15 years I've owned it-but I keep it well protected. and shoot it maybe twice a year, with "prudent" handloads. I am fortunate in owning "enough revolvers"

to shoot several times a week, but not too much out of any of my vintage revolvers.

Continue to shoot and enjoy your T.L. Sadly, there are some who own them, but never have the experience of "going back in time". I have had several "shoot offs" with this T.L. and a 1907 Colt N.S. Target, and suddenly, its the 1910 era. :

A nickle gun does show its "wear" more than a blued one, and the patina of my T.L. seems to blend in with the 85% or so remaining blue.

Plus, you will never recoup the expenses of a high quality restoration-at least in your lifetime(unless your a "youngstah"). Just hate to see a piece of history have its originality "vanish".

Bud

 

[mikepriwer]

Bud

This was the question:

Does anyone know anyone who can refinish the gun and restore the lettering so it will appear sharp and readable.

Now, I read this as indicating that he is not happy with the finish, and would like to consider
some degree of restoration.

My response has nothing to do with being a serious collector. Clearly, this gun will never be
a serious collectable. If he is unhappy with the guns condition, as the question suggests, there
is only one economical answer: sell this one, and find a better specimen. How well it shoots,
and his perspective on history, isn't the issue. A better-condition TL will still be a TL.

If he wants to own pieces of history, that is fine. But - that is not what he asked.

I know you agree that restoration would be a large unrecoverable expense. If I had my druthers,
I would prefer that the notion of serious collectors not get tangled up with the economics of
restoration.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Hey Mule,
Here is Ford web site: http://www.fordsguns.com , write them and ask. I have a 32-20 that is in the same shape and only 4000 or so was made. Someone done a poor nickle job and the gun was blued from the factory. Think I'm going to have it redone. WHO KNOW'S- Later John

 

[lonewolf]

Yes, Mike, I KNOW what he asked; was trying to give him another way to APPRECIATE what he has-without- spending money on a restoration.

Sorry "my slant" did NOT fit into YOUR parameter for a response.

Bud

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Well, I can vouch for Ford's. They did a very competent restoration of one of my Triple Lock models last year. However, they did not recut or restore the rollmarks since thankfully, that was not necessary. They did replace the S&W logo though and it was very satisfactory to me.

I'm not going to participate in the pissing contest about whether or not you should refinish/restore this piece. It's yours and you should (and inevitably will) do as you please.

The hand recut rollmarks I've seen in the past were pretty unimpressive, especially under magnification. If your direction changes from a restoration to simply a refinish, you may consider having the weak rollmarks polished out completely before replating, rather than have another poor appearing feature remain on the fresh refinish.

I believe Ford's charges about $200 for Master High Polish and Nickel Plate. But you may want to letter it as someone previously suggested, it may well have been originally blue. I think they charge $1.00 per letter to recut.

The subject of refinishing or restoring is sometimes a touchy subject in these here parts.

Personally, I don't advocate doing it except in extreme cases to preserve and restore a rare gun that has already been abused by a poor quality or amateur refinish. In the case of my TL, it had been sand blasted and parkerized. It is one of just very, very few I have ever had refinished. Best of luck, whatever you choose to do.

 

[Muley Gil]

Lefty,

Did your TL look anything like this?

 

[buckwheat01]

Your gun your call as to refinishing the piece. Bad thing is sh— happens and the refinish can be a bad job & you will not be happy.
I agree with Mike's post when you start to have lettering done & roll maks repalced logo's etc unless they have the original die stamps cutting them in never looks rite esp under a loupe.
Most of the time you are better off just getting rid of the gun in question and finding a nice one.
I would not refinish most guns. I have had a few done through the years. The scary part is that some of the vintage guns have been refinished & they are so good it's very hard to tell or you can't tell even the experts can't tell.If you just want it as a clean looking shooter go for the refinish if you want a collectable sell it & find one in good shape.
Good Luck
Jim

 

[Mule88]

Thanx for all the responses guys, This gun is more of a shooter quality. I may contact Fords to see what they say, if the price is more than I want to put into it, Ill probably just keep it as is, I guess I just looked at it and thought "What IF"

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Originally posted by Muley Gil:
Lefty,

Did your TL look anything like this?

Gil;

Not remotely close to the condition of yours.

That TL (mine) was the apparent victim of a poorly done sand blasting and kitchen table park job. If it had looked as good as yours I would have left it alone. I shoot mine often and enjoy it immensely, for the same reasons Bud points out.

 

[Art Doc]

Be aware that to proceed with such a project your attitude must be: The Cost be Damned!

I have to essentially agree with Mike about the economic infeasibility of doing what you suggest. If you really want a nicer gun then I suggest selling the one you have to someone looking for a shooter and buy what you want. Will probably be cheaper.

The above is good advice unless this particular gun has significance to you beyond money and you want it rebuilt. In which case refer to my first paragraph: The Cost be Damned!