I came across a revolver that the seller said was a 22/32 bekeart. serial # is 1383xx. Front sights have a bead on top of a thin blade. Rear sights look to be adjustable but lay flat unlike other k22 that I have seen no ribbing. Has a small s&w logo on the left side but no address on the right side. Six inch barrel, five screws, very light weight. The blue finish is aged but not worn. Price is $650. Is this a deal or no deal?
Thanks for any responses.
gtd

If it looks like this,it is correct. The bead front sight could have been added,or may have possibly been a factory option. I handled one like this one,maybe a little better, Saturday. The seller was asking $875.






f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

What you are describing is the .22/32 Heavy Frame Target model, aka: The Bekeart, because Phil Bekeart, a San Francisco gun dealer, originally convinced the S&W factory to make the model back in circa 1912-15 and ordered the first 200 guns, etc. the full story in is most S&W books. A Bekert with a 138XXX serial range, is one of the early 1,044 guns made before the gun was cataloged. If the gun will letter as one of the 292 guns shipped in the first order shipped to Phil Bekeart, I would add a 100% premium to the value. Judging from your photo, I'd say don't walk, RUN, to that seller and buy that gun ! It's a steal at $650. Ed.

Thanks F.T. and Ed.
The gun looks like the picture you posted except for the grips
and the front sight.GTD.

Welcome to the forum!


The gorgeous gun posted by fat tom is from the late 20's. If in or near that condition you may have found a real deal as others have said!

For the one you saw to be correct and original it should have gold medallions in the grips. The right grip panel should have the gun serial # penciled on its underside. The ejector rod knob on the front end should be bigger and mushroom shaped. The cylinder chambers should not be recessed for the case rims.
I mention these things because they are all commonly seen changed on early guns and therefore no longer original or as valuable. These models have been around up to 100 years and are prone to have a bulge in the barrel from shooting old or bad ammo in them, getting a bullet stuck in the barrel and then firing a good round behind it! So check the bore for a "dark ring" and the exterior of the barrel for a bulge if you don't normally do so. With such a great price, I'm a little suspect.

If it all checks out, run, don't walk to the cash machine and buy it if you like it.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Apparently many of the 22 HF Target guns got grips just like the Regulation Police instead of the more recognizable Bekeart type. I have two of the pre-War 22 I-frames, and they correctly have the two different types of grips.

I'm a little confused though about your description of the adjustable rear sights that you say, "lay flat unlike other k22 that I have seen no ribbing." If you are saying that they are smooth on top, that is typical of the pre-War target sights. They don't fold down flat or anything like that, do they?

Froggie

gtd -

You may want to browse through the following thread:

.22/.32 Hand Ejector (Heavy Frame Target, "Bekeart" type) Pictures

There's a photo there of one from the first batch made in 1911 like the one you're looking at.

If you wish, you can send me via a private message the full serial number and I'll be able to tell you if you've been fortunate enough to stumble upon one of the 294 that actually shipped to the Phil. B. Bekeart Co.

Edit: One other thing I forgot to mention. If the stocks (grips) are the originals, the left side panel should have a number stamped into its bottom. For a serial number of 1383XX, I'd expect that number to most likely be between 100 and 200, although a two digit number would not be out of line.

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

Not that many actually, they are scarce; there was just a short period after WW I to 1923 or so when Reg Police grips were standard before going back to extended targets.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The statement about different grips worries me a little. A serial number in the 138xxx range points to early manufacture and shipping -- say 1911-12. The Regulation Police style grips did not exist until 1917. If this gun has RP stocks now, either the stocks were shaved to fit the original frame, or the frame was notched to accept the standard wood configuration (which happened from time to time -- I have a prewar .22/32 Kit Gun that was so modified.)

Just buy the gun. If you don't want it, I bet somebody here will buy it at a price that covers your total cost.

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David Wilson

I would like to thank everyone for all the help. Also a big thanks to goony who looked it up and found that it is not one of the first orders sent to Bekeart. The grips look like the one above, however they have the gold medallions. But they do not have a number on the bottom of the grip. Rear sights are smooth on top, ejector has a mushroom shape. Went today and put a deposit down on it.
gtd

Did you find a penciled # on the back fo the right grip that matches the serial #? Might have to look at it in bright sunlight to see it.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

That's the danger of being an enthusiastic beginner... the first 22 HFT I got had the RP style grips, and I didn't get the Bekeart style grips until my second example. I failed to realize what an anomaly the RP grips were in the production history. Truth to tell, I also may have been influenced by the fact that the RP type looks more "normal" to me, in keeping with my vision of I-frames as miniaturized K- and N-frames.

Sorry if I introduced any confusion into the conversation!

Froggie

That's all right, I have to admit to buying into your "vision" as well!

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Jim
S&WCA #819