Triple lock

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Triple lock, officially called the Smith and Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model 'New Century,' is a revolver. Its popular name is due to its extra locking lug on the cylinder crane. This extra locking mechanism was deemed necessary owing the increased power of the new .44 Special cartridge, which was a lengthened version of the old .44 Russian. It was considered by many, including Elmer Keith, to be the finest revolver ever made.

It was only manufactured between 1908 and 1915, for a total of 15,376 specimens. Smith and Wesson was sold out completely by 1917. The company ceased production for a couple or reasons: the British Army purchased the triple lock in large quantities for World War I, in .455 Eley, and thought the shroud would collect dirt; Smith and Wesson 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.