22 cal S & W revolver

Halindar · #1 04-01-2021, 03:09 PM

I recently picked up a 22 caliber 6 shot revolver. I'm trying to find out the year, make, and model if possible.
The Barrel says Smith and Wesson rr long rifle CTG. It also says Smith Smith and Wesson Springfield, Mass
The serial number is located on the inside of the grip.
There is also a 4 digit number on the yoke.
No dashes or letters in either number.
I hope the pictures I included are clear enough to help. Thanks

weatherby · #2 04-01-2021, 03:27 PM

HI and Welcome

Your serial # is the one that is on the front of the grip strap.

You have a good picture of it.

Not to good at dating them but 1920's is in the ballpark to start you it is what was called a Heavy Frame Target at the time.

Zarr · #3 04-01-2021, 03:29 PM

Welcome from Western Massachusetts.

Wiregrassguy · #4 04-01-2021, 04:39 PM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! A .22/32 Heavy Frame Target, sometimes referred to as a Bekeart Model which is only true for certain serial number guns. Your gun shipped in 1920/21. Someone that tracks the serials on these will be along shortly to be more precise.

MrG5122 · #5 04-01-2021, 08:47 PM

OK. I'm in learning mode here. I thought the Regulation Police guns were the only ones with the serial on the front strap. The grips also look like RP's. Help a brother out.

JP@AK · #6 04-01-2021, 09:08 PM

The RP and the .22/32 HFT shared that feature because the stocks covered the butt.

What you may be remembering is the RP was the only centerfire that had the serial on the front strap.

Halindar · #7 04-01-2021, 09:47 PM

Thanks for your help, everyone.

I did some reading on some other threads and I had come to the conclusion that it was between 1917 and WWII as some of the other serial numbers were larger than the one I found also I noticed a patent date on the butt of the grip that said 1917....��
I just couldn't find any pictures of this type of gun with the same type of grip. Round but plain, no markings on top round part of the grip. Thanks again it helped!

merl67 · #8 04-01-2021, 10:00 PM

Welcome to the forum since you have already been given good info on your gun. I will just add standard velocity 22 LR will work best. Not to say 22 HV LR won't shoot in it the sights are better suited to the standard 22 LR ammo.

Waveski · #9 04-01-2021, 10:10 PM

Even in that worn condition you have a very desirable revolver. And the wear falls into the general description of "honest wear" - evenly worn without excessive dings or pitting. Nice patine.

A fine debut!

Wiregrassguy · #10 04-01-2021, 10:52 PM

The 1917 date on the grip panel is for the design of the Regulation Police grips.

JP@AK · #11 04-01-2021, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halindar

I did some reading on some other threads and I had come to the conclusion that it was between 1917 and WWII as some of the other serial numbers were larger than the one I found also I noticed a patent date on the butt of the grip that said 1917....�

The patent date on the bottom of the walnut stocks is for the stocks themselves. These were unique stocks for that model.

That style of the stock circle (convex, with no medallion) started shipping in 1920 and they were gone by about 1930.

I have HFT serial number 423630 that shipped in January, 1926, so yours is probably from early in the 1920s. Only a letter can tell you for certain when it shipped.

NavySCPO · #12 04-02-2021, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy

The 1917 date on the grip panel is for the design of the Regulation Police grips.

Nice 22 Halindar! Love these old revolvers, nice pick up!

Just to show one with the grips mentioned here, I picked this one up very recently. Didn’t know what I had until the fine folks here educated me.

32 Regulation Police with the 1917 patent grips and a 12/1920 ship date.

Halindar · #13 04-02-2021, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the help and as Danny said the education. I knew it was an old revolver I didn't know how old or anything about the grips. Personally I bought it because I enjoy shooting revolvers instead of the automatic pistols they have today. Now I have to put this one away and go find another to shoot!!..... lol.... thanks again for helping me to identify it.