I am a novice (big time novice), and have just acquired a .22 hand ejector, square butt, with 2 screw stock. Frame is squared off above stock and cylinder is not recessed. #'s match but there is no marks inside of or S&W marking on the stock . Help me ID it correctly.
Thanks.

Hi, most likely you have a .22/32 Heavy Frame Target or Bekeart model. A partial serial number (123xxx) or photos would be helpful. The SN should be on the front of the grip frame.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

472xxx, no #'s on butt

Alan's right. With that serial number it would date to 1927/1928 and would be called a .22/32 Heavy Frame Target. These guns were in production from 1911 to 1940. The adjective "heavy" distinguishes the gun from the even lighter M-frame .22s that the company previously manufactured. But at the time your gun was made, this was the lightest frame .22 the company was producing.

These are cool guns. I have one from late in the production run for this model. Here's a picture so you can confirm what it is you have.

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David Wilson

Thanks Murph and DC. My only question now is that mine has no S&W medallion or insignia on the stock. Is that just a different configuration or is my stock not original?

During the 1920s the company did not put medallions on their stocks, so don't worry about their absence from your gun.

Pull the stocks and check the inner surface of the right panel for a serial number; if the number there matches the frame, your stocks are definitely original.

Stocks were individually fitted to the frames and numbered during the manufacturing process so that there would be no mismatch at final assembly.

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David Wilson

no # inside stock

Hmm, I will check mine and report back.

In the interim, look at Gunbroker.com and search for item 164751189. I just bought those because I try to keep sets of uncommon stocks in the woodpile. I don't know if they are numbered, but they are non-medallion stocks that i think must be identical to yours. Don't worry about the seller's label; he misidentified them. (Thought they could be mounted on a .32 hand ejector, which uses the same basic frame as the .22/32 target.)

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David Wilson

Well, I doubted my own memory for a minute, but I do have a number on the inside surface of the right panel from the gun I posted above. The blocky numerals are hard to read when crushed into wood, but they do match the serial number of the gun.



Frame numbers were a sometime thing on target stocks in the course of S&W production, and perhaps that is why yours does not have a matching number. The fit was more crucial when the stocks had to match frame dimensions exactly. When the stocks wrapped around the frame, precise fit was obviously not as crucial, and target stocks were not always tracked along with the frames before final assembly.

While I was digging up the photo, I found these images from the company's 1925 catalog. You might find them interesting.

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David Wilson

Thanks DC, great info. I appreciate your time.

Hello, I am a new member, and I've spend several hours reading older posts.

I received a S&W revolver from Dad before he passed. He said he got it as payment for some automobile parts in the 1960's or 70's. I think it is a 32 cal but that is not marked on it anywhere.

It is a hand ejector, 6 shot, 5 digit no letter serial number 15xxx, 3.25" barrel, adjustable rear sight, strain screw, 5 screws on right side of the body, S&W stamp on right side, nickel plated with pearl handles.

I am most interested in what ammo to use (i.e. 32 longs, etc) as well as anything else as identification. I intend to have this as a simple bed-side weapon.

I have attempted to attach two photos. Thank you very much.

Attached Images

	S&W 32 a.20150321.jpg (110.2 KB, 112 views)
	S&W 32 b.20150321.jpg (112.5 KB, 104 views)

You have a .32 Hand Ejector First Model, AKA 1896. Manufactured from 1896 to 1903 when the Model of 1903 or Second Model was introduced. There were a total if 19,712 of the First Model manufactured. This is the gun that introduced the .32 S&W Long cartridge. While the rear sight is dovetailed into the frame it is not considered as adjustable.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Hello
I have a S&W Hand Ejector 22/32 "Bekeart" in nearly new condition with only a tiny bit of blueing missing at the muzzle. The serial # is 138280 and the number inside the yoke is 110. It has the number 25 on the bottom of the grip and the medallion in the grips is a gold colour. Can anyone give me a educated guess what the gun is worth. Thank you for your help.

You have quite a valuable .22/32; the first 3000 had their stocks numbered at the bottom, so yours is a very early production example. If you are able, posting quality photos from different views here would help with a value estimate (mostly because a skilled refinish can look much like factory original).

If it is truly nearly new and original, I would guess $1000-1200. If a factory letter documents it shipped to Phil Bekeart in San Francisco, add 50% or more to the standard value.

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Bear country,

First of all...If I may make a suggestion...I'd highly recommend you post your inquiry as a New thread rather than being buried in this 5 Yr. Old One!!

Reason being...After you hear the info I'm about to pass on...I assure you there is going to be quite an interest in Your Revolver & having it posted as a New Thread it will receive the attention it deserves!! As far as a suggestion for the Thread Title...Something like (.22/32 Bekeart Model??)...Should do the trick!!

Now for the good part...As long as you're not mistaken & the Serial No. of 138280 is correct...Not only do you have the 25th one of these .22/32 Heavy Frame Targets assembled (Evidenced by the No. 25 stamped on the base of the Target Stocks)!! It was also in the First Shipment of 30 Revolvers that went to Philip Bekeart on June 7th,1911 making it a Very Desirable Revolver indeed!!

Now as to the value...As Alan (murphydog) has noted above...We're going to need to see some pretty good photos before we can make a reasonable assessment as to it's value for the reasons he noted in his above quote!!

Some areas of highest interest being...Other than a few overall views taken from both sides...The Left Side of the Frame underneath the Stocks to see if there is an indication of any sort of a Factory Rework (Dates, Stars, Etc.)!! Also if there's any evidence of a Star somewhere near the Serial No. on the Frt. Gripstrap!! And lastly...If there is a readable Serial No. penciled on the inside of the Right Target Stock!!

Also...As Alan's also recommended...A Factory Letter Request is in order as well...Even though it is known to be one of those originally shipped to Philip Bekeart if the Serial No. is Correct!!

Anyway...That should get the ball rolling & we'll go from there after seeing some photos!! Also...If you don't mind me asking...Have you just acquired Your Revolver...Or have you owned it for some time...Just Curious?? Regardless...Congrats on being the Proud Owner of one of My Favorite Model S&W's!!

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Masterpiece

Thank you gentlemen for your great replies and for shining some light on my Bekeart. I am brand new to this forum and had no idea how to start a new thread that is why I just looked at what made sense to me and posted my questions. (my computer skills are not what you call "great" so please be patient. Thank you for the suggestion of starting a new thread - makes sense! I did check the serial number and other numbers and they are correct. The gun had been stored (with 25 others) in a home and when the owner died, the guns where given to me. I will add some pictures (if I can figure it out) of the gun to give you a better idea of its shape.

Attached Images

IMG_2725.jpg (68.4 KB, 97 views)

Bear country,

First of all...Given I completely forgot to make mention earlier...Welcome to the Forum!!

Secondly...Thanks for posting the Photo & verifying the Serial No. you posted is indeed Correct!!

Also...After looking over the Photo you've attached...As long as no evidence is found of any Factory Rework Markings...As I noted in My Earlier Post...I'd say you have a Very High "Original Condition" Philip Bekeart-Shipped .22/32 Heavy Frame Target!!

As to being unsure how to start a New Thread...This info should get you rolling!! Just go to the Top of the Main Page where this Thread is posted & click on (S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961) in the Large Header Window!! This will open up to the area where it will list all the Threads now running in that Section of the Forum!!

Now all you do is click on the Small "New Thread" Balloon found in the Upper Left-Hand Corner directly above (Threads in Forum) which open into a window to start Your New Thread!! After doing so...All you have so do is give Your Thread a Title & continue on posting the same as you do when replying to a Currently Running Thread being able to add up to 5 Photos at a time via Manage Attachments of the areas I made mention were the most important...The same way you posted the one just added to this Thread!!

If all goes well...This should get Your New Thread posted...Hopefully I've explained the procedure clearly enough & you don't run into any problems...Good Luck!!

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Masterpiece

Thank you so much Masterpiece for the welcome note and for helping me out, I sure appreciate it! I will start the new thread and add some more pictures from the gun. I am sure we will meet again and continue our conversation on the new thread. The gun shipment had several S&W and I have many more questions. Thank you again!

You'll have to try pretty hard to top your first post...looking forward to seeing the other guns you were given!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Bear country,

Thanks...More than happy to have been of some help!! Also looking forward to seeing some more Photos in Your New Thread...Good Luck!!

Also...When you get Your New Thread posted...If you'd like to add more than 5 Photos at a time...Just click on (Post Reply) in the Lower Left-Hand Corner just below where Your Previous Post ended & you can add 5 more Photos in a New Post if you wish!!

And as far as having more S&W's to inquire about...Again I'd suggest you'd start a New Thread for each of the other S&W Revolvers you have questions about...In the appropriate Sub-Forum Category...So the responses from the Forum Members don't get mixed up between the Different Models...Whatever they may be!!

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Masterpiece

Thank you again and see you at the new threads!

I'm pretty sure I have a S&W 1905 M&P 4th Change 38 Special. The serial number is #419XXX. Need help getting an approximate year it was made.

Welcome to the Forum.

You will get better information if you start your own thread, rather than piggybacking onto this one, especially since it is about a totally different revolver.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I have a frame for a 1917 new servise spelled
that way and has not English make ser top line I under it 2384 most of the inner parts are there under the grip is A it dose not have any other ser# on and no S&W or colt on the frame I want to rebuild it where do I find parts ??

Welcome to the Forum, foxtrail.

As I advised HybridGunz above, you would do better to start your own thread.

If your revolver does say "New Service" on it, it is a Colt and your new post should go in the "Firearms & Knives-Other Brands" section of the forum.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearm...-other-brands/

Please post as many pictures as you can, as well detailing all the markings.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!