I picked up this little '20s era HFT as a shooter. It's #428014 all numbers matching including the extended target grips and front and rear sight, 8 locations total. The barrel had been shortened to 3 1/4", the original patridge sight and base reinstalled and the entire gun refinished. It's not a factory refinish and not that quality but not bad either with all rollmarks sharp and clear.
The patridge blade sight had been modified into an ugly ramp however, so I turned it back into a period correct shape but that's why it's not as long. Installed a correct retaining pin with round ends and took the remainder of the patent dates off the top of the barrel because they were half covered by the sight base. I also installed a second style, '30s era ejector knob so it resembles a Kit gun and added period correct RB grips for the kids' small hands. It's a nice little package and a terrific shooter.



For $400 plus shipping and no tax, I couldn't let it slip by. Worth it to me just to have another shooter for the grandkids and save my nicer and more original shooters for the adults.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Another virtual kit gun. I love it!

And this one even has a sub-KG barrel length! Modified or not, this is the only prewar .22 I-frame I have seen with a barrel under four inches. I'm glad you chose not to show a picture of it with the extension stocks. Big grips need a six inch barrel to look right.

Any time you find a skillfully created gun that the factory never produced, you have evidence that S&W was missing a niche market. I bet the company could have sold a few of those.

I know right now that some members of this board are thinking: "Cut? Refinished? $400? That does not compute." But I assure you I know exactly why you bought that gun. I would have too.

I make it mid-'20s production, maybe 1926. A good year.

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David Wilson

I'm not able to comment on why Hondo44 wanted that particular one for himself, but I am sure I would enjoy having it for myself! Bekeart was right when he talked S&W into putting the .22 into the "larger" .32 frame!

I'm enjoying the 6" HFT I'm playing with, and will like it even more with the good barrel which is now in hand but not installed. I'm sure his little ones will get off to a good Smith & Wesson start with that little sweetie of an I-frame. Congrats.

Froggie

Regardless of pedigree, THAT is a handsome revolver!

Enjoy,

Jerry

A classic little .22 that never was. Nicely done!

Let it be an inspiration to S&W to make something just like it in appearance today [w/o lock], grips/stocks included.

Regards,

Dyson

Thank you all for the kind comments. I love the totally correct and pristene early Smiths but there's just something about taking in an orphan like this one under my wing as a shooter. We can always find an excuse to pick up another old Smith, right?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Real nice Smith you have there. Wouldn't mind having one like that also. Those old 22-32 Targets were sweet pistols.

Always thought my original 'Target' looked ungainly.
Now I know why.
NICE gun!
Don

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OGCA Life
NRA Life

I chopped a bulged barreled Bekeart to 3 1/2" and welded the front sight base back on about 15 years ago, then made a set of custom extension grip a couple of years ago. The lettering on the sides of the barrel lines up very nicely and I removed the top markings. It shoots great and has a wonderful trigger!

I'd stick that in the pocket of my jacket in a minute.

Steve,
That's a little dandy! You may want to try some Brownell's Oxpho blue on the barrel. It does an amazing matching job and durable too.

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Jim
S&WCA #819