I am putting together a database of information about the Bekeart models and the subsequent .22/32 HFT's. I have close to 350 guns in the database so far and I am asking for your help to add any additional numbers to the list. I have obvious headings like serial number, stock sequence number, date shipped, destination, stock style, front sight, recessed chambers, condition and modifications/inclusions.

Things like bobbed hammers, knob style etc., are listed under the modifications.

If anyone has any that they would like to add to the list, please supply the details. Should you not want to post the information publicly, feel free to PM or email me and no names will be attached to any information.

If you own a .22/32 and just want to see if I have any information about your gun, please feel free to ask.

Many folks think that if their gun is numbered between 138,226 and 139,275 that it went to Bekeart, however, that is not correct. For example, 138,226 did not and neither did 139,274.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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James Redfield
LM #497

James,

Here is a thread on my two "Bekearts". It has all of the details.

The not so heavy, "heavy frame" target 22

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

I have serial Serial 138437 grip number is 567 and although serial is within range it reportedly did not ship to P.B. .

Condition is poor but it was my grandfathers gun and it lit my passion for S&W .22lr revolvers at an early age.
The story was that he traded a WWII P-38 war trophy for it so he could shoot pigeons with my uncle when he was a child in the late 40's,
They lived in Carlstadt NJ near the Meadlowlands just west of Manhattan and said it was all woods n fields back then.

Mine is #444707, shipped March 8, !927 to Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago. Stock style is the typical "target". Front sight is Patridge. Clearly does not have recessed chambers. Condition is as new in box---not counting a faint "turn line". There are no modifications.

Ralph Tremaine

WOW, several responses right away. Thanks guys.

I have the following that won't go into my database properly due to missing numbers. If you own one of these, please get me the rest of the info so I can enter them where they belong on the list numerically. Any other details that you are willing to supply would also be helpful. I am already seeing a pattern with serial numbers and stock sequence numbers so keep it coming.

163,2XX 1255
164,XXX 1869
163,3XX 1133
163,5XX 1298
163,6XX 1693

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James Redfield
LM #497

I don't own it but 138688 with grip number 331, target stocked, was shipped to an individual according to Roy.

This one is s/n 441727, and shipped Sept. 1926. All matching #'s.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I own serial #399275. Standard targets and shipped on 7/24/24.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

I believe you have info on #139027, butt #667, shipped 6/6/11 not to Bekeart. I also have #238574 (shipped 1/17, Paine front), #444628 (Patridge) and #390981 (Patridge, box).

Bob

Bob,

Are you certain of the 6/6/1911 ship date on 139,027? The first Bekeart shipment was on 6/7/1911 so yours would pre date the first Bekeart shipment. Also, the lower numbered 139,XXX guns all shipped 8/31/1911.

PS: I just went back through some old posts and found one from Ed Cornett stating that your gun 139,027 was MADE on 6/6/1911 so it probably did shipp at a later date.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Thanks for the added info guys, keep it coming.

Please include serial number, stock number if any, style of stocks, front sight, condition, box, extractor knob style or modifications and if a later model, recessed chambers or not.

This is the only way we can narrow down these changes as serial numbers dont always dictate when a specific change occured.

Thanks again,

James

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James Redfield
LM #497

I've got one that I lettered. Hopefully you can get all of the info you need from my pictures.

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

I always wondered when the RP stocks were changed back to the targets and found this just recently:

22/32 HFT's change order from sq RP stocks back to target stocks, and the Paine/U-Notch to Patridge/Square Notch came through Aug.29,1923 and the next day for the Single Shot as well as the 32 & 38 Target Models. S&W 1857-1945 N&J pg. 235.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Jim,

The s/n in the letter shown doesn't match either of the HFTs shown in your post???
And neither has a Patridge front sight as listed in the letter.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Those are both Paine front sights. I would double check with Roy and see about getting a corrected letter if required.

My database is building slowly however, the last Paine front sight is listed in the 207,XXX range around 1914/1915 and the first Patridge is listed for gun 441,727 in September of 1926.

I also show large knob with the same gun, 441,727, and the first medium knob with 533,048 in January 1940.

As more guns are added, the numbers and dates should be more defined.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Bringing this back up. There must be more of these out there.

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James Redfield
LM #497

james,
here are the particulars on #220397 which i bought from an upstate new york dealer this past june.
two screw stocks w/gold medallions no numbers on butt or inside rt. pannel
paine frt. site. square notch in rear blade
non-recessed chambers
large knob on ejector rod
good shooter grade
not yet lettered

keep up the good work,
mike mcniel

James,
Here is information on serial #361069:
Non-recessed cylinder
No 'Made in USA' stamp
RP grips with Pat June 5, 1917 no medallions
Large knob
Paine front sight
U shaped rear sight
No box.
Condition 99%

Not lettered so I don't know when it was shipped. Assume early 20's.
Hope this helps.
Ralph

Ralph,

Without grip medallions puts it at after ~ 1920 and w/o Made In USA puts it prior to 1923.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Mike,

Your serial # puts about 1916.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

James,

In my database I have #225222 shipped 8/9/15 with latest known Paine sight, Targets w/ gold medallions.

And much lower #495640 - shipped 1/26/29, with medium knob, from this thread:Bekeart models and .22/32 HFT's post #12. Or perhaps you meant the LAST medium knob with 533,048 in January 1940.

If so, I have in my database, # 534,506 highest number known w/medium knob was shipped in June of 1940.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I don't know who these two revolvers were shipped to. I don't have letters yet, but here are two more for your list. They were acquired in the San Francisco Bay Area.

138555 / 357
138810 / 539

Actually, I would place 220,397 in early 1915, perhaps February or March.

361,069 would be 1920 or 1921 and should have heat treated cylinders. I guess that means that you can shoot Plus P .22 long rifle cartridges from it.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Jim, I think that at the time, 533,048 was the lowest number that I had showing the medium knob. That has since changed as 495,640 from 1/26/1929, is the lowest number recorded with a medium knob and I own 488,263 from 8/8/1928 that has the highest serial number in my database with the large knob. So I think that we can safely assume that the knob change occured between August 1928 and January 1929.

The highest numbered Paine front sight is 361,069 and the lowest numbered Patridge front sight is 364,613.

The latest gun in my database is 534,506 shipped in June 1940.

Again, these are only based on observations from my database and many of these guns are observed online with no guarantee whether they shipped in said configuration.

I actually reported to the authors of the SCSW that I owned a gun with serial number 384,570 with recessed chambers that predated the reported number of 525,600. I unfortunately failed to realize at the time that the * before the serial number probably indicated a return to the factory for that modification and not a refinish.

The hardest part about this collecting addiction is not knowing what you don't know.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Mine is #408864 from June 1925. Patridge front sight, large ejector knob, non-recessed cylinder, small logo on left side, "Made In USA" on right side. It had a set of butchered extension grips when I bought it, but found a set on eBay. The bore is rough, but it shoots just fine.

Attached Images

bekeart 2.jpg (63.3 KB, 62 views)

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Peter #2091

458xxx
Large knob, non-recessed, non-medallion grips

I have 501322. Purchased it earlier this year and have yet to get it lettered. I would appreciate any information you might be able to provide on it.

That's a beauty!

From the Serial # and features of your gun, my database indicates:

Since the medium 'barrel' knob on yours replaced the large 'mushroom' knob by change order dated 1/22/27, and Medallions were reinstated in wood stocks by change order dated 2/11/1929, therefore yours was produced after those two dates, likely late in 1929. And most likely shipped much later in 1930 or 31 because of the stock market crash of 1929 which really slowed sales and shipping of firearms.

If your target stocks are original to the gun, the serial # may still show penciled on the inside of the right grip with very good light and magnifying glass.

Hope that helps,

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Jim, why would you think that 501,322 with non medallion stocks would have to ship after the change order date for reinstating medallions on 2/11/1929? I understand your logic about the knob change from large to medium placing the gun after 1/22/1927, but am not understanding the medallion logic.

Granted, it could be later than 2/11/1929 as it took a while for medallions to reappear, but couldn't it also be from before the change order in say 1928????

Unless you have some serial numbers that narrow it further, I am missing something.

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James Redfield
LM #497

All,

Does anyone have a post war shipped 22/32 target that was made before the improved I frame came out in 1953? I imagine that variation would be a tad scarce. I have a 1946 all model circular which lists the "22 / 32 target" as an available model. I scanned the page below. It appears to have the pre war sight variety, as any post war I frame that is pre improved I frame should. The circular is dated Oct. 3 1946. It mentions the then new Masterpiece line on another page.

Anyone know how many were made or shipped in the post war years prior to the improved I frame?

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

James,

You're absolutely correct. It may well have shipped before 1929. I could have clarified that better. I don't have a lot of data points in my database for that period but the trend appears to indicate later shipment:
497XXX 1929
525,6XX 1933
525,730 shipped in December of 1933
533,048 January 1940.

And the implementation of changes were always delayed while old inventory was exhausted, usually by several months. Also, we know from other models that shipping really slowed down during this period.

So just my educated estimate and could be off.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hi Jim,

They are indeed rare as this exchange indicates:
"Roy, I was looking thru my copy of the 1952 Catalog, and there is a listing for a .22/32 Target Model along side with the .22/32 Kit Gun. This would be post-war Pre 1953 Model. It is/was built on the I Frame with adjustable sights and a six inch barrel. The SCSW listing for this model states that while collectors have said they exist, none have been seen by the authors. Are you aware of any having been sold-shipped in 1952? I am assuming (I know, that's dangerous) that it wouldn't have been in the catalog if it wasn't in production. The catalog doesn't mention if it was special order only. Thanks for your time, Lee Hooks."

In response to that question Roy wrote:
"Lee, I have seen one [22/32 Target] sold. I would have to go back to the manufacturing records and see what they show. However, with our meeting coming up and still have my talk to write, I will not get much chance to look up anything. Roy" on 06-12-2013


As is the case with the post war 22/32 Kit Guns, there were only 22/32 Target Transitional models; neither were built on the Improved I frame which made its appearance in 1952 in .32 and .38 S&W only. The 22/32 Target became the New I Frame Model of 1953 as the pre model 35.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I did send you a PM on this one, but I thought it might be good to send detailed pictures, and what Roy said in the factory letter.

First, this gun has obviously seen some use. It has a bead front sight that may have been altered. The rear sight is one I've never seen before, and I'm pretty sure it was a period aftermarket substitution for the factory sight. Interestingly, it has no elevation adjustment. The two knobs only control windage. When I got it, there was a slim wooden wedge underneath the back of the sight, I assume to give some measure of elevation adjustment. Here is a quote from Roy Jinks on the gun:

The revolver you inquired about in your letter of recent date is a .22/32 Bekeart Model. This model was introduced to in the Spring of 1911 at the request of Mr. Phil Bekeart, a large San Francisco gun dealer. ...We have researched your Smith & Wesson .22/32 Heavy Frame Target, caliber .22 Long Rifle, revolver in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number 207977, was shipped from our factory on March 19, 1917 and delivered to M.W. Robinson, New York City, NY, Smith & Wesson's oldest distributor. The records indicate that this firearm was shipped with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut extension target grips.

I've removed the stocks, and I cannot discern any trace of a serial number stamped, inked or penciled in the inner surfaces.

Here are some detailed pictures of the gun and its unusual rear sight. Not a pretty gun, but sure has "character."

Hope you'll find this of interest.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

John, are you certain of the year that your gun shipped? Roy had emailed me about the Robinson 490 and stated that all five shipments went out in the first 3 months of 1914.

Also, do you have any photos of that front sight close up from the side? It appears that it may be a Paine sight with the front and rear edges rounded and the bead shortened. It is possible that the shooter was having a problem with the windage adjustments for this gun or his eyes and thus added the non factory adjustable rear sight. This might also explain the need to shorten the front sight bead because viewed from an extreme left or right rear angle a longer bead might have appeared too wide when trying to center it on a target. (Merely supposition on my part)

It is also interesting to note that your S&W logo is on the right side and all six of my .22/32's have the logo on the left except the one with no logo. My lowest SN being in the 138,XXX range and the highest being in the 488,XXX range. The only other HFT that I have seen with a left logo was also written about here on the forum and was within the Robinson 490. It did however, have a replaced barrel and extractor rod so was not completely original.

One last question, do your stocks have an assembly sequence number on the left stock panel? It is also understood that the Robinson 490 all fell into the third 1000 produced and should bear stock sequence numbers in a range of 2,000 to 3,000.

The highest one I have recorded is 207,945 with stock number 2398

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James Redfield
LM #497

Yes, the stocks are original.

I have 208403 w/2398 grip #; my mistake???

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Here is mine, purchased about 6 months ago. Significant blue wear on the last 2" of the barrel. Numbers match. SN492381

I wish someone would teach me how to post pics inside the posting.

Attached Images

20140817_211750_resized.jpg (145.8 KB, 69 views)

Jim,

Here are photos of the inside of the stocks and of the front sight, which I believe probably is a modification of the Paine sight. As you can see, the stocks have no internal numbers whatsoever.

As to the date of shipment, I have to defer to Roy on that. He's got the records, and I know he takes pains to be accurate. Both my accurate reading of the serial number from the gun and Roy's quote of the same number back to me match. My guess is that Robinson received other shipments of this type in 1917, not just 1914 - also, you know that S&W sometimes shipped guns way out of serial number sequence. You might re-check with Roy on that serial number and date if you have further concern.

As for the placement of the logo - it is what it is. You will have to draw your own conclusions.

Hope this helps.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

John,
I can see the s/n pencil lead "sheen"remnants on the back side of the right stock, right down the middle of the top half, the usual place. Sometimes properly lighted, good photos like yours enhance what is not seeable otherwise. There was an old thread about this phenomenon.

Having the stock in hand with proper light and magnification, I believe it could be verified as the serial number. I've read several like this when it was said to be un-numbered, albeit 100 years old in your case! The numbers are pretty consistently oriented, and it helps to know that the numbers are right side up when the stock is oriented on its backstrap side. I can't read it as well from a photo, but knowing your serial #, the 207 of your s/n 207977 appears.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I don't have good image software anymore, but I was able to tease this out with what I do have. I see "20797" for sure and probably the last "7" as well. (The numbers are right side up, between the screw holes, now tinted blue.)

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Cy

hardscrabble,

Excellent photo work! I believe you meant between the screw hole and medallion hole, the usual location. The blue tint is probably Verdigree.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Indeed, that is the medallion back. It is just possible to make out the last "7" tailing off low to miss the medallion, unless I am badly mistaken. The blue coloring is just a manipulation of the tint/highlight/saturation etc. that is possible with image software, often bringing out detail that can't be viewed otherwise. Many years of trying to make out that 10th antler point from a lousy deer cam photo taught me a very few useful tricks.

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Cy

James, This is my Club Gun, I don't know if this should be included in your research or not. I have another .22/32 HFT that I'll dig out later.
Quoted directly from the factory letter.
"Company records indicate that your handgun with serial number 0345 was shipped from our factory on May 29, 1928 and delivered to Dana Bull, Springfield MA. The Bull's were part of the Wesson family. Sarah Wesson, D. B. Wesson's daughter married Dr. Bull of Worcester MA. They were divorced and she lived with her father in Springfield. One of the Dr. Bull's family also married Florence Wesson and worked at S&W. But I have no records as to Dana Bull in my notes on the family." The serial number 0345 appears on the frame, cylinder, extractor and the barrel. It now has a 2" barrel. The serial stamp on the barrel obviously is from a later stamp. There is a rework diamond stamp on the frame and the barrel. This gun has a humpback hammer. There is no mention of stocks in the factory letter.

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Don Mundell

Amazing. My older eyes never picked that out.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Good work. I would never have picked that out.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Well, I knew from nothing about "barrel" and "mushroom" knobs until now; but given the change order date noted above and the shipping date of mine (#444707---previously reported, and shipped March 8, 1927), I thought it might be interesting to see what knob it had-----"mushroom". I guess now I'll have to hunt one up with a "barrel" knob.

Ralph Tremaine

James, I thank you for starting this thread, I love this model.

Here are details of mine: S/N 444595, found on front of grip frame, cylinder and barrel. Grips are 2 screw target extension with gold medallions, I see no evidence of pencil marking. The grips are some of the finest wood I have seen from S&W, and the gun came with a nice checkered walnut grip adaptor. The ejector knob is the blued mushroom. Sights are Patridge front, square notch rear. S&W logo on left of frame, "Made in USA" on right. Cylinder is not recessed. #444595 shipped in October, 1926. It's in 95% with no box. It is very accurate for me.

Blind Boy,

That sounds like a beautiful example. The Circassian Walnut stocks S&W originally used ended Pre WW I, but they still used some gorgeous grades of walnut after that.

You got my attention when you mentioned "nice checkered walnut grip adaptor"! It would be a very interesting to know if that's a factory option although I've never seen or heard of one. But it's very rare if it is. If you got the shipping date in a letter, it should have been noted if it was factory. Most likely aftermarket. We need to see pictures!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Ser. # 391649, shipped June 1925

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Roger

Hi Ralph,

See post #12 above for great detail photos of the 'barrel' knob. The barrel is still notched but just a single notch vs. the two step notch required for the 'mushroom' knob.

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Jim
S&WCA #819