Picked this up recently (and no I don't have a letter from Roy yet) and had some questions.

SN 1631xx would be about 1915 or so? Would this make it after they became cataloged items?

The gun has a bit of honest wear and a little neglect. Holster wear and wear from handling. But also a couple of areas where the blue wore off and a patina of rust began and light pitting. The color case on the hammer and trigger are in excellent shape though.

Looks like the rear sights were rounded off some.

Stocks modified some.

Appears to be in good mechanical shape.

Pics below.









tipoc

Picked this up recently (and no I don't have a letter from Roy yet) and had some questions.

SN 1631xx would be about 1915 or so? Would this make it after they became cataloged items?

The gun has a bit of honest wear and a little neglect. Holster wear and wear from handling. But also a couple of areas where the blue wore off and a patina of rust began and light pitting. The color case on the hammer and trigger are in excellent shape though.

Looks like the rear sights were rounded off some.

Stocks modified some.

Appears to be in good mechanical shape.

Pics below.









tipoc

Are the bottom of the grips numbered?
Looks alot like my 32/22 heavy target.

Peter

__________________
Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special

Looks like 1912 - second production run.
First production run in 1911 numbers were 138xxx and 139xxx.

163198 Shipped May 1912

163234 Shipped May 1912

163353 Shipped May 1912

SN / grip #

1633xx / 1133

1635xx / 1298

1636XX / 1693

163605 / ??
Shipped in May 1912, but did not go to Bekeart.

163662 / 1615
Shipped to Bekeart on June 3, 1912. Paducah Shooter's Supply

163698 / ?? did go to Bekeart in June 1912.

163803 / 1546


Bekeart

Pred,

Guessing yours is near 391xxx and has the rebated backstrap.

Those are the only ones I have seen with the single grip screw.

Bekeart

Oh yeah, I handled that one at Imbert & Smithers, I was kind of surprised to see it there in the back of the consignment case. I knew it was special but didn't have my SCSW with me so I let it pass.

Looks like a real nice example. Be cautious in shooting it, as that vintage didn't have heat treated cylinders. Stay with standard velocity ammo. You will find it can be a really great shooter also.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Mine is non-rebated, with double screw stocks numbered to the gun in very dim pencil. 3913xx.

Regards,

Tam 3

Bottom of the stocks are not numbered. Not numbered inside either. The numbering came later I believe.

Kurac, apparently it was there for a few days, set in back for a few, as someone thought of getting it, then came back out. I saw it when it came back$out and figured it was close to the right time period. Non recessed cylinder, matching serial numbers proper stocks and sights. I negotiated a slightly better price due to the light pitting. Condition is good for a plinker. I will see how it does at that.

I'll let folks know what Roy says.

tipoc

Mine is 364812. You are darn close!
Peter

__________________
Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special

Very neat item. Std velocity .22 LR doesn't give up much. Good shooting!

Best,

Dyson

Bekeart,
Did you see that brand new post of a 22/32 heavy frame without adjustable sights? I date it to 1940-41. Never saw one and no mention of it in the SCSW. Know anything about it?

Thx,
Jim

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I've had this one 40 years. #164122, grip bottom #1868 Sheard gold bead front sight. Enjoy Bekeart info, a post of serial #'s would be great.

S

ischia,
Does your gun serial number match the serial number on the inside of your right grip? Too many pages to post but I can send you a copy of the S&W Collector Assoc Journal pages that list all of the Bekheart serial #s if you contact me by e-mail listed in my profile.

Thx,
Jim
SWCA #819

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Took it out to the range and it shoots well with CCI and some Rem standard velocity 40 gr. ammo.
Front sight makes for a challenge. Works as it should though.

tipoc

No #s on inside of L/R grip. #164122 ,butt #1868
My Gold vs Silver medallions shown here seem to be closer to edge of wood.

Ischia

Follow up from Roy:

"...was shipped from our factory on May 18, 1912 and delivered to Philip B. Bekeart Co., San Francisco, Ca."

True Bekeart I suppose.

tipoc

I suppose that too. Congratulations!

When this thread was fresh I did not yet know much about I-frames and .22/32 models, and consequently didn't pay much attention. I see now that there are some wonderful revolvers here. I have picked up a couple of prewar kit guns and a late production .22/32 Target in the intervening months, and I'm working on a couple of other Heavy Frame Targets. But not yet a "true" Bekeart. I imagine I'll come across one eventually.

These are fascinating revolvers. The variety available in stocks and sights, not to mention engineering changes like stronger steel or the counterbored cylinders in the later models, make for rich collecting possibilities.

David Wilson

A few years back I inherited a Beakert, SN# 138437 Grip number 567,
Mine is pretty dang ugly compared to yours...
You have a real pretty piece of history.

I know you said she shoots, judging by how mine points I am guessing they are a bit tricky to shoot .
How did it group on the range?

From Engine,
"I know you said she shoots, judging by how mine points I am guessing they are a bit tricky to shoot .
How did it group on the range?"

Well I shot it at about 10 yards offhand and I could keep the shots within 2" with the ammo I had on hand. The sights, my eyes, the trigger, etc. all conspired against me. With the right ammo and some dedicated work with it I could likely do some better or another fella could.

I got it on a whim, to examine, play with a bit, clean up and use as trade material or sale fodder rather than as a shooter. I have a couple of K22s for that.