Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector First Model

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Officially named the Smith and Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model 'New Century,' it became popularly known as the Triple Lock owning to its extra locking lug on the cylinder crane.

This extra locking mechanism was deemed necessary owing to the increased power of the new .44 Special cartridge, which was a lengthened version of the old .44 Russian. Considered by many, including Elmer Keith, to be the finest revolver ever made, it was only manufactured between 1908 and 1915. In total 15,376 specimens were manufactured and S&W was sold out completely by 1917.

S&W ceased production for a couple or reasons: the British/Canadian Army were purchasing the triple lock in large quantities for the Great War, in .455 Webley, and it was thought that the shroud would collect dirt; S&W could save $2.00 per revolver by eliminating the shroud and third locking lug. The shroud would come back in 1926 with the 3rd Model Hand-Ejector but the fabled 'Triple Lock' was gone forever.