Bekeart models and .22/32 HFT's

[Hondo44]

I recently bought, but have not taken possession of a 22/30 Smith in the Bekheart Design, but the Serial number is 458375, way too high. The gun is in rough cosmetic condition but seems to be in great mechanical condition.Cylinders are not recessed, square butt. Can you explain the high serial number? [email protected]

Welcome to the forum.

The actual special production of the Bekeart Model which began in 1911, ended in 1915 when the model was introduced starting at ~#160,000 as a regular production model named the ".22/32 Heavy Frame Target". That's what you have.

They're all generically referred to as Bekeart models which is a misnomer for those made after 1915. However, those shipped to Bekeart by S&W still have a slight "4th class Bekeart-ness" associated with them. Albeit, not much premium price over that which the condition would normally justify.



Brief history of the "Model 1911 .22/.32 Hand Ejector - Bekeart Model" and the Bekeart Gun Shop:

It is not a "Bekeart" which was 1st produced in 1911 for Phil Bekeart, owner of the Phil B. Bekeart Co. gun shop in San Francisco, (~1870 to not long after 1949) who reportedly convinced S&W to build a .22 on the .32 Hand Ejector I frame. History indicates he ordered 3000 to get them to tool up for it. The 1st batch of 294 shipped were only sold to him, then eventually to other dealers. Finally in 1915 it became such a good seller that it was added as a regular production model with the official name above. Regular production began at #160000 in 1914 and it was named ".22/32 Heavy Frame Target" of 1915.
Those produced after the true Bekeart guns (which were all made prior to 1915), are sometimes referred to by the collector generic moniker, Bekeart Model.

The 1st 3000 guns produced beginning in 1911 had a second # stamped on the butt of the left grip that could be seen without removing the grips from the gun. These #1-3000 grip numbers do not match the gun's serial #. They just indicated the sequence of gun production/shipping: S&W guns are not shipped in serial # sequence.
For example: Grip #1 was the 1st gun made but the gun's serial # was 13XXXX, grip #2 the 2nd made with whatever the next serial # used was, etc.

Grips that are original to a S&W gun have a serial number on the back of the right grip only, which matches the gun serial #.
First grips are the walnut target extension grips with two attachment screws and have recessed gold medallions:

Above serial number ~258000 (right after WW I), the standard HFT stocks became the Regulation Police 2 screw stocks on a rebated grip frame, at first with recessed gold plated brass medallions in the late 'teens. Checkered two-screw extension target stocks with gold plated brass medallions in 'dished' stock circle tops were optional until 1920 on I frames, and w/o medallions until change order 2/11/1929 (see below).

After c. 1920 until 1929 medallions were not used and Regulation Police grips replaced Target grips into the mid 1920s when the target grips returned as the standard grips.
After introducing the larger K frame .22, (production began in 1930, 1st completed Jan. 30, 1931), the HFT was renamed ".22/.32 TARGET" and used until production quit in 1974.

 

[daddio202]

Just wanted to add my later 22/32 HFT to the list for the database. Mine from 1929 with serial 492174 is just a standard version and has the 2 screw target stocks which were standard by then with a patridge front and square notch rear sight. Best thing about this one is its nearly new condition. Looks like original owner shot a cylinder or two from it and put it away somewhere cool and dry for the next 90 years.

 

[ol777gunnerz]

Niedner 22/32

Jinks Letter info shown, barrel is marked as factory replacement, butt date Oct of 1922, frame has A O Niedner stamp, Malden, Mass., it now has a Sheard front sight, knurled trigger & bobbed hammer. Being shipped in 1919 there is no S&W stamp on either side of the frame.

 

[jimbo56]

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

I recently acquired my first .22 HFT (but hopefully, not my last as I continue to actively search). Here are the specifics for your database. The revolver is SN 220413, all matching except the right inner stock which is not numbered. I do believe the stocks to be original despite this. No assembly number on the bottom of the stocks. As pictured, walnut target stocks with gold medallions, Paine front sight and a "mushroom" extractor knob. The chambers are not recessed.

I was told by the seller the gun was acquired from the original family who owned it. It appears the little gun was not often used and put away for years... but who knows?? The bluing is exceptional, so I wonder if perhaps it was re-blued at some point of it's life.

For a beginner, I will say I consider the gun to be in excellent shape for something I date back to 1915. I'm pretty happy for a first acquisition and look forward to finding more.

Jimbo

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Hi Jimbo. IMO the gun was refinished at some point but not at the factory. I base that on the lack of detail in the S&W logo stamp and the rebound slide stud seems to be polished flat. Otherwise, it seems to be well done. Congratulations!

 

[JSR III]

I would agree that the gun has been refinished based on the pitting around the side plate logo. The gold medallion stocks are typical for this time period. The penciled serial number found inside on the right stock panel are often difficult to read after 100 years. You need a very bright light and magnification sometimes to pull it up. If a prior owner oiled the stocks as a way to preserve them then many times the pencil marks are gone.

Other guns in my database around this serial number shipped in late 1914 or early 1915 although I show one about 30 numbers higher that shipped in 1929 so you never know.

The Paine front sight and the large extractor rod knob are typical for this time period.

Is there a date code on the lower left frame with the stocks removed or any star markings near the serial numbers? These would indicate a factory refinish.

 

[jimbo56]

Thank you both for further educating me. I have taken pictures of the SNs on the inner left frame, front strap and under the barrel. As you can see, on the inner left frame the date 2.16 (February 1916) appears, so perhaps my revolver was returned to S&W to be re-blued? Other than the "B" on the barrel flat, there are no diamonds or other stampings, so I don't know. I thought the "B" was stamped into the barrel flat of all blued guns, but maybe it is there to indicate it was sent back to S&W to be re-blued? But if S&W did the work, I would feel better knowing any re-blue was done by the factory. Any and all feedback is welcomed.
Thanks
Jimbo

 

[mrcvs]

The date of "2.16" does mean your revolver did return to Smith & Wesson for one of numerous possible reasons, of which a refinish could be one of them. However, your revolver being nearly brand new at the time strongly suggests that the reason for the return was not to be refinished. Nonetheless, if factory refinished or not, the photographs you supplied strongly suggests that a refinish has occurred at some point since February of 1916.

 

[JSR III]

Is there a date code on the lower left frame with the stocks removed or any star markings near the serial numbers? These would indicate a factory refinish.

I should have said "could" and not would. The date code could be for a repair to the gun as well and not just a refinish. You may want to request a factory letter as well as any information from the Historical Foundation. They may have information relating to why the gun went back. To me the investigation and the resulting information is half the fun of collecting these old guns.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

That's an awfully early date stamp. I didn't think that S&W started that until after 1916.

Guy

 

[mrcvs]

With regards to the last 2 posts--

I think the date stamps go back to as early as 1909. I have a New Model No 3 with one dating from 1913.

I believe the Historical Foundation can only research date stamps from 1920 and later with possibly a few from 1919.

 

[jimbo56]

Everyone, your feedback has been so helpful. I think I am beginning to better understand SOME of this, but I will continue my education. I did want to ask one question however. Was it unusual my revolver returned to the factory for some sort of repair (as evidenced by the date stamp), but the front strap would not have received a star near the SN? I know it's not important... just another datapoint for me to process. Thanks!

 

[rbclark]

I have 495680 serial number. Very close to yours

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

I have 495680 serial number. Very close to yours

 

[mrcvs]

.22/32 HFT No 163265

Here's a 3rd degree of Bekeart, No 163265, shipped April 1912.

I will get a letter on it but that's on hold at least until January 2022.

I will provide better photographs once I have it. I'm told "1437" is stamped on the butt.

 

[Hondo44]

Although the grip #s are sequential in order of production (not shipping), they have now correlation to the serial # of the gun. However according to the general trend in my database, the grip #1437 is commensurate with your gun's serial #. Check the inside of the right grip for the gun's matching serial in pencil near the top.

However I would not pay for a letter because as posted above, it's highly unlikely to shed any light on the front sight. I for one don't believe it's a factory installed sight, just FYI.

 

[mrcvs]

Although the grip #s are sequential in order of production (not shipping), they have now correlation to the serial # of the gun. However according to the general trend in my database, the grip #1437 is commensurate with your gun's serial #. Check the inside of the right grip for the gun's matching serial in pencil near the top.

However I would not pay for a letter because as posted above, it's highly unlikely to shed any light on the front sight. I for one don't believe it's a factory installed sight, just FYI.

I'm fairly certain it's not a factory front sight. I knew that before I purchased it, or surmised that at least.

I'll get a factory letter on it nonetheless, as it will provide for a shipping destination.

 

[vinn]

RE LINE A BARREL

both mine have bad bores, i am thinking of a re line so to shoot targets.

 

[JLSanderson]

S&W 22-32 HFT

I have two 22-32's that can be added to your data base. The first one I bought two years ago. The SN is 240266, which I think puts it in the 1916 year, all sn's match. Gold medallions, WF Sheard front sight, adj. Rear sight.
The second one I just bought a month ago, SN 138272, 29 stamped on the bottom of the left stock. All sn's match including the penciled number on the right stock. It has gold medallions, Paine front sight and what looks to be a replacement non adjustable rear sight. I believe this gun was in the first shipment to Philip Bekeart in 6/7/1911.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

You're correct, #138272 was in the first shipment to Bekeart which makes it a category 1 Bekeart model! One of the first 294 guns sent to Bekeart in 6 shipments.

June 7, 1911- 30 pieces,
June 22- " 60 pieces,
June 28- " 60 pieces,
June 30- " 60 pieces,
August 31- " 50 pieces, and
October 13- " 34 pieces.

 

[Bullet99]

My Bekeart

Well, I was "encouraged" to buy this gun couple of months ago by a good friend at a local gun show. It's one of a dozen or more guns I have yet to get lettered. Yes I'm delinquent!!

It is S/N 224949 and the grips are numbered to the gun.

I'm sorry to say I know little about it other than it's in excellent shape. I do see it has a U rear sight which appears adjusble for both windage and elevation. It does not have a recessed cylinder.

It looks identical to the gun in the Supica photo on page 132 of the std catalog.

A special thanks to the gentleman above explaining where to look for the numbers on the grips. Had I not had my "old mans" lighted magnifying glass, I would never been able to see it!

Thank you