.44 S&W Triple Lock

[JHermsen]

Default .44 S&W Triple Lock
I have an unfired triple lock I have questions about, any help is appreciated.

Is .44 S&W Spl. the same load as .44 Spl.? Are other rounds compatible, for instance 44-40? It has a Serial # on the frame, under the cylinder crane of low 6###. That matches other numbers on the pistol however, the butt is marked 50###. From what I've been able to decipher some had different heat treatments; is this pistol compatible with modern loads?

It has a 4" bbl. no box or manual and appears 99% blue with no signs of being fired as previously mentioned. The grips are non medallion, fit tight and other than a light mar her or there are clearly checkered. The only "flaw" is a L shaped notch in the flat of the wooden butt.

Any ideas on value?

Thank you all for your opinions/information,
Reply With Quote

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I have seen them go for $1500-3000 depending on condition. .44 S&W Special is the same as .44 Special. You could also run .44 Russian through it, but that woould be a bit less accurate and a lot more expensive. How do you know it is unfired? Especially without the box? If it is unfired, LEAVE IT THAT WAY!!! That is the difference between a $1500-3000 gun and a new mid-sized sedan. If it has been fired, then yes, it is just fine with modern .44 Special ammo. Do not try to hotrod it or turn it into a .44 Mag with hand loads. I believe the number on the crane and other parts are its assembly number. The one on the butt is the serial number.

-Mb

[JHermsen]

Thanks GTMB.

I can tell the pistol hasn't been fired (at all/much) as there is no loss of blue, carbon, scorching, either around the BBL muzzle nor the cylinder's face; neither are there marks/brass around the cylinder base. The inside of the frame's top strap is clean, blued; without carbon or scorching as well! There is no sign of firing in the cylinder and bbl forward of the forcing cone either!

[kurac]

Post some pictures, its about 100 years old. If you take the grips off and post a picture of the stamps on the frame, I can tell you if it was sent back to the factory for a re-finish.

The number on the butt is the serial number, it should also be stamped under the barrel, on the back of the cylinder, on the ejector star and under the side plate.

[Mike A]

To answer one of your questions, .44 Special ISN'T compatible with .44-40. Fortunately, a .44-40 shouldn't even chamber in your Triple Lock.

[kurac]

So based on the serial number (~1938 production), it can not be a triple lock. It sounds more like a .44 Special hand ejector 2nd model and the serial number is right for that model or even a 3rd model which would have an ejector rod shroud. Once again, pictures say a 1000 words.

[ballistic]

So how the heck did you come across a mint, 44Spcl, 4inch, triple lock?
Please tell the story, and pics would be good too.

[Cowboy T]