[grsjax]

I picked up a nice TL at the gunshow today :D . 4 digit serial number and last patent date is '08. Condition is excellent and all original except for the grips. Tight as a new gun with minimal wear to the finish. Need to know what to list as its value for insurance. Can anyone give me a value or point me to a reliable source?
Thanks

[grsjax]

Forgot to mention it has a 4" barrel.

[SharpsDressedMan]

Pictures? Didn't know they made four inch barreled guns...you sure it hasn't been cut and redone? Would drastically change the value, as would any refinishing......

[SaxonPig]

The 4" would be very rare if original. Any indication it has been modified?

44 Special? Also made in 455 for the English military.

What is "good" condition? If I had an original 4" .44 TL in say 90% original finish I would value it at $2,500 or so and I may be under-valuing it.

[.38 Special]

Well, you just bought the gun... Seems like you'd have a pretty good idea of what it cost...

[Guillermo]

Well, you just bought the gun... Seems like you'd have a pretty good idea of what it cost...


Funny

[Quoheleth]

If you're an NRA member, you should be able to access the blue book of gun values for free.
If you're not a member, hook up. After a Triple Lock, what's a $25 membership?

Q

[Guillermo]

As a Life Member you would think that I would know this.

Thank you for the tip

http://www.nrablog.com/post/2009/05/27/Access-to-Blue-Book-of-Gun-Values-for-NRA-Members.aspx

[grsjax]

I will get some pics up as soon as I can. Barrel has not been cut. Chambered in .44 special.

I did not pay near what it is worth.

[Lone Star]

Yes, please do post those pics. Triple Locks are wonderful guns, although the metallurgy is such that mild loads are a good idea.

Lone Star

[.38 Special]

I did not pay near what it is worth.

Well, if you know that, then you obviously know what it is worth.

I think your thread is just an excuse to brag. :neener:

[Old Fuff]

Smith & Wesson's .44 Hand Ejector, 1st. Model (also known as the "New Century" and "Tripple-Lock"); was made with barrel lengths of 4, 5, 6 1/2 and 7 1/2 inches. Five and 6 1/2 inch lengths are by far the most common.

Many that are found today have been refinished, either by the factory or elsewhere. Also some that were originally blued are now nickel plated. Refinishing and/or the addition of aftermarket adjustable sights make little difference to shooters, but shift values downward on the collectors' market. The same can be said if the stocks have been changed. Currently at auction a revolver that is in excellent original condition will fetch upwards toward $3,000. Often more if it's an exceptional piece.

[Oro]

If you're an NRA member, you should be able to access the blue book of gun values for free.
If you're not a member, hook up. After a Triple Lock, what's a $25 membership?


That is certainly not listed as a benefit of membership, nor one that has been promoted in the last 10 years I've been a member. The date of that announcement linked above was just 10 days ago - so maybe it's new, and thus fair to say he could well have not known that?

Also, it appears grossly incorrect to say the information is free for NRA members. We can apparently see the listing, but not the pricing. For that, you pay. Just like the general public - who can see the listings, too. So there's really nothing here for members that the general public can get except a 20% discount on publications. This looks like a real smoke and mirrors benefit, frankly.

https://store.bluebookinc.com/nra/Default.aspx

If you reference the NRA announcement, it says this:

Now, all NRA Members have access the Blue Book of Gun Values, Airgun Values and Black Powder Values online databases for free.

You do not have full access, or access to pricing data. You do not have any more access than the general public, nor does the NRA actually say that you do. Frankly, this is one of those cross-marketing and misleading hype situations the NRA is so fond of, and which drives many members to the point of irritation at the deception. Straight-talk and honesty should be their bywords, not hucksterism.

[Quoheleth]

Thank you, Oro. I stand corrected. As a new NRA member, I wasn't aware that it is a new perk - and apparantly, a pretty meager one at that.

Q

[grsjax]

I am bragging just a bit but I would really like to know what its true value is. I got it so cheap I can be pretty sure what I paid is below what it is worth.

[grsjax]

A couple of pics. These don't show the finish to best advantage. Also there is some sort of film over the blue, looks like thin varnish. Found a few very small spots of rust under the grips and on the back of the cylinder.

[Old Fuff]

I can't say about a possible refinish by looking at the picture, but it does have a correct 4" barrel, and not a longer one that was cut down. Notice that the patent dates are stamped on the side of the barrel, and not the top. They did that because there wasn't enough room between the frame and the front sight.

I suggest that you get the gun "lettered" by Smith & Wesson. While the document will cost $50.00 having the letter with the revolver will increase the gun's value to much more then the letter costs. Directions follow:

To do so you will need a snapshot of the gun, a full description including the serial number on the butt, and a check in the amount of $50.00 made out to Smith & Wesson. In exchange the company's historian, Roy G. Jinks, will research the original records (which are not computerized by the way) and send you a letter containing the details of what he finds.

This comprehensive document will contain an overview of the model’s history, followed by the details of your particular gun. This usually includes the caliber, barrel length, finish, and the exact date it was shipped from the factory, and to what distributor or dealer. If there are any special features they will be listed too. This information is often invaluable to both you and others.

Additional information on a historical letter will be found at the Smith & Wesson company website at:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&content=25301&sectionId=10504

[grsjax]

Thanks for the responses to my questions. BTW if anyone knows where I can get a set of original grips I would appreciate hearing from you.

[Old Fuff]

Thanks for the responses to my questions. BTW if anyone knows where I can get a set of original grips I would appreciate hearing from you.

There are two possible problems with this. If you find the right kind they will likely be very expensive, and when the revolver was made the stocks were individually fitted to each frame, and serial numbered to that frame. A set of stocks that were once on another revolver may not be an exact fit on the one you have, and anyone in the future who is putting up big bucks will expect that perfect fit that S&W was famous for.

[Gordon]

I have a real set of Pearl grips in perfect condition that came on a 6" Triplelock I traded off a few years ago. I found a set of original walnut grips 10 years ago on the young internet for $75. Good luck today. I want $100 for the mother of pearl grips which would make it a nice "Frankie and Johnnie" gun with that 4" barrel.

[ZBill]

go for the pearl grips!

Bill Z.

[Old Fuff]

In my view, the pearl stocks were offered at a very fair and generous price, but there is still a question about how they might fit, given that S&W individually fitted the stocks to each revolver, regardless of what the material they were made of was. Work out that question and I'd say you might have a deal.

[SaxonPig]

I agree the barrel is original.

Not sure I agree with the 80% original finish estimate. The gun looks worked over to me but it's hard to say from photos. I almost want to say maybe the barrel has been touched up with cold blue.

Check for matching numbers. The barrel and cylinder will have the serial stamped on them. If all number match I think you have a winner. If all the numbers match I would spring the $50 and letter this one. It's valuable enough to justify it.

[grsjax]

PM sent on the grips. Thanks

[Bill B.]

Not sure I agree with the 80% original finish estimate. The gun looks worked over to me but it's hard to say from photos.

Looks reworked to me also.............................

[Oro]

BTW if anyone knows where I can get a set of original grips I would appreciate hearing from you.

I have an N frame the same vintage as that and the correct grips, in condition to match your gun, are running about $300 right now when you can catch them on Ebay or forums. I have been hunting on and off for 1910-1919 gold medallion service grips for a little over 2 years now without success at finding a "good deal." They won't serial to your gun and be original, but they will look correct and enhance value. Eagle makes some "heritage" (I think they call them?) line grips that are decent approximations for a fair price if you just want the correct look. Whatever you do, get those late model K targets off of their before you photograph it again!

The gun looks worked over to me but it's hard to say from photos.

Yes, it is hard to say from photos. The resolution of the camera is not up to the size of the photos. If you have a friend with a good digital camera and a light box, go have him photograph it for you. It could be original, it might not; those photos aren't clear enough to tell. but if it was re-worked, it was done very skillfully - too many sharp corners for it to have been much wear and refinish work. The other big question mark in my mind is this: once guns are re-blued, the case hardening on the trigger/hammer is usually NEVER re-done, or it is polished off. No one, almost no-one, reblues AND re-case hardens the small parts. The ch on that gun matches the finish. Either this is original, or it was re-done at some point by a superbly thorough professional.

Yeah, check the s/n of the barrel on the flat above the ejector rod (I think the shrouded guns had them their, too, at that time). Should match the gun as a whole.

What a great gun you found. That is like a dream/grail gun to many folks. Personally I want a target triple lock, but a 4" would be just as nice! Probably I would like to have a 4" more than a target model, honestly.

[grsjax]

Even if it is refinished I like it. Nice hefty gun that is almost 100 years old, whats not to like. Going to look really cool with pearls. Wonder if it is to big to be my carry piece?

[Gordon]

Too nice to carry anywhere but a New Orleans high end bordello!

[grsjax]

Just joking. It is going to stay in the safe except for trips to the range.

[Gordon]

Here's those 100 year old S&W mother of pearl grips I took off an old triple lock. I'll PM you too. Note extremely small edge roughness around the top that recesses into the frame. I have the special screw and took pictures of them fastened together so you may be viewing backside of the other grip. I have seen ones like this actually sell for $500 , but they were asking $800. Yours for $100 my friend as we discussed.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/gordonhulme/002-3.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/gordonhulme/001-2.jpg

[Hutch]

I'd be really interested to know how much you paid. If you please...

[clang]

There's a guy goes by the handle of Executioner (aka Patrick) over at the S&W forum who makes really beautifull stag grips for S&Ws. They are currently running less than $150 for a nice set of magna style grips (my personal perference over service style grips). You might want to check them out as they are a bargain vs. period correct S&W grips.

[Zeke/PA]

Being a Deciple of the late great Elmer Keith, I am very,very, envious.

[Gordon]

Want to see those grips on that great gun! BIG picture please.

[grsjax]

Received the pearl grips and they are better than expected. :D Thank you Gordon. Tooks some pics but they didn't come out to well but you can see how nice they look. I will try and get some better ones tomorrow. Finally found all the serial numbers, the one on the barrel is half hidden under the forward lock. All matching. Going to get this one lettered.

[Gordon]

WOW :what: :what:
How cool is that 100 Y.O. gat!
Yup those thick Mother of Pearl grips have a translucent glow about them don't they?
I can see the cased trigger and hammer in that picture. I don't think the gun is refinished, I do think some holster wear on the barrel area was cold reblued however. Doesn't matter, I'd shoot half a box of standard .44 spl. ammo to see where it hits at 7 yards and clean it carefully and put her up. Bring it out to snap 6 times twice a year on snap caps, or at least the fired cases for a few years. Other wise they tend to freeze up.:cool:

[stbryson]

Hello grsjax,

This 4" Triple Lock shipped in December 1916:

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q300/stbryson/109.jpg

Take care,