Unusual .22/32 Bekeart serial number locations

bullmack · #1 03-09-2012, 11:58 AM

I took a look at a .22/32 Bekeart advertised at a 307x s/n. Upon exam the serial number is 391801. 391801 can be found on the bottom barrel flat and rear cylinder face. I cannot see it on the extractor nor anywhere on the grip frame. Isn't the grip frame s/n typically on the fore-strap? The number 3077 is on the crane and on the bottom left face of the grip frame. Isn't the 3077 an assembly tracking number? The stocks are correct but un-numbered.

H Richard · #2 03-09-2012, 12:06 PM

You are correct, the s/n of a 22/32 should be on the front strap of the grip frame.

murphydog · #3 03-09-2012, 12:09 PM

Yes, on the .22/32 HFTs the SN is on the front strap. These started at SN 160000, so a 3000 is almost certainly an assembly number. David Wilson should be along with more information soon

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DCWilson · #4 03-09-2012, 12:54 PM

Well I would have offered more information if I could, but you guys have covered it! I have some questions, though.

Is there any sign that the serial number could have been polished off the forestrap? I didn't understand if you were able to take the stocks off to inspect, but could the serial number have been mistakenly stamped on the butt, like a .32 HE, rather than on the front of the grip frame?

Can you see a serial number on the rear face of the yoke? You might have to look through a charge hole and use side light to pick it out.

The lack of serial numbers on frame and ejector star might point to a factory return for repair, but if a major part like a frame didn't get numbered somebody in the service department was having a bad day. If the factory did get a second shot at it, there should be a date code (12.39, for example) under the stocks on the left side of the grip frame.

The stocks could be either the Regulation Police style (backstrap half concealed) or the two-screw extension stocks that completely cover the backstrap. Which did this gun have?

Serial number points to about 1925, give or take a year.

bullmack · #5 03-09-2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCWilson

Well I would have offered more information if I could, but you guys have covered it! I have some questions, though.

Is there any sign that the serial number could have been polished off the forestrap? I didn't understand if you were able to take the stocks off to inspect, but could the serial number have been mistakenly stamped on the butt, like a .32 HE, rather than on the front of the grip frame?

Can you see a serial number on the rear face of the yoke? You might have to look through a charge hole and use side light to pick it out.

The lack of serial numbers on frame and ejector star might point to a factory return for repair, but if a major part like a frame didn't get numbered somebody in the service department was having a bad day. If the factory did get a second shot at it, there should be a date code (12.39, for example) under the stocks on the left side of the grip frame.

The stocks could be either the Regulation Police style (backstrap half concealed) or the two-screw extension stocks that completely cover the backstrap. Which did this gun have?

Serial number points to about 1925, give or take a year.

It wore extension stocks. I had them off and there was no s/n anywhere on the butt metal just the 3077 assembly #. It did not look like the fore-strap had been polished but I'm far from an expert eye on that one (the wear/patina on the fore-strap did match rest of gun). I no longer have access to it to check the yoke rear face. Gun had a couple of other issues so I walked away from it but I was curious about the s/n discrepancies.

Thanks for the responses.

Hondo44 · #6 03-09-2012, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullmack

It wore extension stocks. I had them off and there was no s/n anywhere on the butt metal just the 3077 assembly #. It did not look like the fore-strap had been polished but I'm far from an expert eye on that one (the wear/patina on the fore-strap did match rest of gun). I no longer have access to it to check the yoke rear face. Gun had a couple of other issues so I walked away from it but I was curious about the s/n discrepancies.

Thanks for the responses.

When you say there's no serial # on the butt, you're referring to the outside bottom of the butt correct?

bullmack · #7 03-09-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Whe you say there's no serial # on the butt, you're referring to the outside bottom of the butt correct?

There's no s/n anywhere on the grip metal (butt, fore-strap, back-strap). The left side of the grip frame had a 3077 assembly number stamped at the bottom. With extension grips this # was only visible with the grips removed. The same 3077 was stamped on the left side of the crane. The bottom barrel flat and rear cylinder face had the actual six digit serial number reported in my initial post.

Hondo44 · #8 03-09-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullmack

There's no s/n anywhere on the grip metal (butt, fore-strap, back-strap). The left side of the grip frame had a 3077 assembly number stamped at the bottom. With extension grips this # was only visible with the grips removed. The same 3077 was stamped on the left side of the crane. The bottom barrel flat and rear cylinder face had the actual six digit serial number reported in my initial post.

Thank you for verifying. Well I understood you correctly then, just double checking before i recommend that you stay away from it. But whether or not you're considering the gun, I would advise the owner of the jeopardy he could be in having a gun with no serial # on the main frame. He should immediately stamp or get the serial # stamped on the left side of the grip frame parallel with the butt. I would not suggest that he stamp it in the correct place on the forestrap. I guarantee it will be unsightly. I'd leave that decision/task to the next owner.

bullmack · #9 03-09-2012, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Thank you for verifying. Well I understood you correctly then, just double checking before i recommend that you stay away from it. But whether or not you're considering the gun, I would advise the owner of the jeopardy he could be in having a gun with no serial # on the main frame. He should immediately stamp or get the serial # stamped on the left side of the grip frame parallel with the butt. I would not suggest that he stamp it in the correct place on the forestrap. I guarantee it will be unsightly. I'd leave that decision/task to the next owner.

Owner believes that the 3077 assembly number is the s/n and will not be convinced otherwise. He said he has S&W experts who have verified this! Oh well.

Hondo44 · #10 03-09-2012, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullmack

Owner believes that the 3077 assembly number is the s/n and will not be convinced otherwise. He said he has S&W experts who have verified this! Oh well.

Oh boy, another one of those. Is he a dealer? Well if and when he finds out he's wrong, it might be the hard way.