Bekeart Front Sights

[jimbo56]

I have a question regarding the front sights on the S&W .22/.32 HFT Bekeart model revolvers. Did all of those manufactured in 1911 (or the first 1,000 run) come with the Paine Bead front sight? Or have any variations been noted with the Patridge front sight? I appreciate any knowledge you experts can share. Thanks!

 

[rct269]

We have but one "expert" on these guns, and "expert" should not be construed to mean he knows absolutely everything----only that you should not bet any significant sums of your hard earned money that he doesn't!

Folks who would even consider such a wager gave rise to that old saying about "A fool and his money are soon parted!"

That said, given you had the wisdom to include the term "Beakert" in your title, odds are he'll be along directly-----possibly before I finish with this peck-peck-peck.

Ralph Tremaine

And as a belated aside, you've selected the wrong section of the forum for your inquiry---it belongs in the early handejector section. The moderators, being of the "eagle eye" sort, may take note and move it for you.

 

[tjpopkin]

Mine; #525 has the Paine Bead

 

[donadler]

Mine is marked W.F.Sheard

 

[Hondo44]

The Paine bead front sight with U notch rear was standard until approximately 1924 when the partridge front blade with sq notch rear became the new standard.

However anything could be ordered anytime during production including partridge before 1924 or any aftermarket custom sights. Only a factory letter will authenticate if other than the standard sights for any production period were factory installed.

I’d have to check the database specifically for 1911 production but there are later Bekeart guns with factory optional sights. Our resident expert James will likely be along to comment.

 

[rct269]

The bottom line of all this what's standard/optional/usual/unusual is covered by Jinks' oft used explanation---goes like this: "They would do anything anybody would pay them to do."-----as in "They aimed to please."-----and a letter will almost always cover any deviation from the norm----most especially if/when there's an extra charge that shows up on the invoice.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[RKmesa]

Like donadler, mine has the Sheard front sight, and also like his, it looks to have been messed with sometime in its life...









... for reference, it is SN 138337 and it shipped on June 30, 1911 to Phillip Bekeart Co, San Francisco, CA. The letter states that it shipped with a Patridge front sight and was one of 59 so configured in its shipment.

 

[Hondo44]

Like donadler, mine has the Sheard front sight, and also like his, it looks to have been messed with sometime in its life...

... for reference, it is SN 138337 and it shipped on June 30, 1911 to Phillip Bekeart Co, San Francisco, CA. The letter states that it shipped with a Patridge front sight and was one of 59 so configured in its shipment.

Does it have a sq notch that would have come with the Patridge front sight or U notch in the rear?

 

[RKmesa]

Does it have a sq notch that would have come with the Patridge front sight or U notch in the rear?

It has the U notch rear sight. Here are a few more photos of the sights...

 

[mrcvs]

It has the U notch rear sight. Here are a few more photos of the sights...



[IMG]https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/o280/rkmesa/IMG_0026.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds[/IMG]

Is that significant holster wear at the end of the barrel? You usually see wear like that at the end of the barrel of a Colt Single Action Army revolver and not on a .22/32 HFT revolver.

It is obvious that the front sight has been tinkered with. However, it might still be the original sight, and I think that a U notch rear sight is more likely with a (beaded) Paine front sight, whereas a Patridge front sight may be more commonly paired with a square notch rear sight.

 

[Truckman]

That blade seems way off to the right......Ben

 

[jimbo56]

Thank you all for the replies. I realize that anything was possible for a price, but in 1911 I suspect most of these awesome revolvers were mass produced with standard features and only a very small number were custom ordered. But, never say never. I'll submit my gun for a Letter of Authenticity to confirm.

 

[Hondo44]

The Bekeart model was essentially a special model until it became regular production in 1915 not as the Bekeart model. So I’m not surprised to see a group of the 1911 era production ordered with optional sight for that period.

 

[RKmesa]

That blade seems way off to the right......Ben

I've never shot this gun, but yes, it is way off to the right. I only noticed it this morning when I took the photos. I grabbed my dinky screwdrivers and I did not have one that fit. At some point, I will run down a screwdriver that fits and re-center it...

 

[jimbo56]

Richard, to make sure I understand, your gun has a Sheard front sight, but your factory letter states it was shipped with a patridge front sight? Being the novice I am, I didn't understand. Sorry!

 

[RKmesa]

Richard, to make sure I understand, your gun has a Sheard front sight, but your factory letter states it was shipped with a patridge front sight? Being the novice I am, I didn't understand. Sorry!

That is correct. Here's a copy of page 2 of the letter:

 

[RKmesa]

Is that significant holster wear at the end of the barrel? You usually see wear like that at the end of the barrel of a Colt Single Action Army revolver and not on a .22/32 HFT revolver.

Yes, it is holster wear (lots of holster wear) and probably some treated corrosion that caused some minor pitting.

 

[jimbo56]

Richard, thanks for that clarification. I suppose I never considered some guns were shipped in a particular configuration, but were changed AFTER delivery. So, that confirms that some early guns (1911) did have the patridge front sights. But, does that affect the gun's value, given it is unknown when the sight might have been changed? I appreciate you sharing this information. This makes me even more anxious to obtain a Letter of Authenticity. Thanks again!

 

[Muley Gil]

I had an early (1907) .32-20 target that had a Sheard front sight like the ones shown.

 

[hibbs]

Bekeart sight

My Bekeart, sn.163594 and #1349, shipped May1912 has a Paine black bead front sight.

Richard