Ok, so Grandpa cleaned out his closet and gave me a S&W revolver that "he doesn't remember" where it came from.

After a bit of novice research, I wanted to post here to validate my find of an early Bekeart (or Bekeart-type for those 292-purists).

It is in very good condition with typical wear at the end of the barrel, edges of the cylinder, etc, and some very-minor rust pitting. Bluing is overall very good. The mechanics of the gun are exceptional for the age.

Now for the details and markings:

Serial Number stamped on grip 139258, and under the open cylinder with a B 139258

The butt of the grip is marked 965

The top of the barrel has S&W patent info.

Also with the cylinder open, there is a 529 stamped on the inside.

Since I'm new to collectibles, any clarification on the history would be great, since Grandpa forgot

Here are a few pics, let me know what you think!
(sorry for the last blurred pic, but that is where the SN is stamped)

Attached Images

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	PB300040.JPG (196.3 KB, 279 views)
	PB300041.JPG (177.3 KB, 263 views)

First, welcome to the forum, and what a nice surprise Grandpa found!! I do not know much about them, in our search option on the top tool bar type Bekeart and you should find a lot of info. Someone will be along shortly to give you more info as well. I am from New Braunfels, just down the road.

Peyton, thanks for the welcome neighbor!
and for the search tip as well.

Well per the SCSW 3rd, this SN is part of the first production run. Its probably too late to be part of the first 292 but its still pretty early, earlier than mine. The grips were numbered 1 to 3000 on bottom and no one knows why. Its worth a premium with the numbered grips. Looks like a winner that I'd love to own.

Lucky find...

That's the kind of Grandpa to have! You owe him a steak dinner, or some yard work, or something he needs in appreciation for this fine gift.

It's an early one, though as was pointed out probably not one of the very first set that went to Bekeart in San Francisco. Nonetheless, it's in good shape and because of its low serial number and numbered stocks probably has a value kick for people who collect this model.

Nice revolver! If you shoot it, stay away from high velocity .22 LR. You won't turn the gun into a grenade, but you can wear it out faster with ammo that did not exist at the time the gun was manufactured.

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David Wilson

Welcome to the forum! Nice gift. I noticed the 2nd picture, the inside of the cylinder. It looks to have been "dry fired" fairly extensively, which is damaging the surface of the rear of the cylinder and probably the firing pin. Since some of the marks appear in between the chambers, the timing may be affected. It would be best to take this to a qualified gunsmith to be checked over before firing. If any of the chambers are "peened", he may have to iron them out so the ammo will go in properly.

Good luck with your fine piece, they are much fun to shoot, and surprisingly accurate.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Very nice revolver. THANK YOU Grandpa. As has been pointed out, it is most likely not one of the first 292 that went to San Francisco gun dealer Phillip Bekeart, however, it is definitely one of the first 1000 or 1044 produced in the first production run and is also one of the first 3000 with numbered stocks.

I say "most likely" since I have never seen any written documentation as to what serial numbers of the first 1000-1044 are attributed to the 292 that were shipped to Bekeart. If they were shipped like most S&W runs, there is no guarantee that the first 292 were the first 292 in the 138226 through 139275 serial number sequence listed in the books. And actually if you look at that range of numbers, it really represents 1049 guns. So like most things S&W, there are inconsistencies.

Either way it is a very nice find and has the added bonus of being handed down through your family and not merely found at a gun show or in a gun shop. I would give that gun a good cleaning followed by a coat of Renaissance wax. I would then send in a request to the S&W historian for a history letter for $50 to see where the gun was shipped and if it might possibly have gone to SF.

Another factoid that I have never heard discussed is whether after Bekeart received the first 292, that are so widely talked about, did he ever order any more. If that proved to be true, there could be a new category of "Bekeartness."

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James Redfield
LM #497

Guys,
thank you for the information and comments, it is all very helpful.
I have a question, but first let's recap:

1) I owe Grandpa big-time!

2) It is well worth the $50 to get the history documented. I'll let you know what I get back.

3) I'll take it to my trusted gunsmith and specifically have him look at the cylinder and firing pin.

4) Never re-blue a nice collectible.

5) Get some low-velocity ammo, for what little I may shoot it.


Now for my question.

I picked up a copy of the SCSW 3rd edition (great book!) to read up on the revolver. It states (pg 117):
"A full discussion of the origins of this model can be found in Roy Jinks' article in the Journal of the SWCA, reprinted beginning at page 58 of Book 1 of the 25th Anniversary edition."

Does anyone know where I can find the article referred to in "Book 1 of the 25th Anniversary edition" of the Journal of the SWCA?

(BTW JSRIII, the SCSW says that the specific serial numbers of the 292 guns shipped to Bekeart are listed in the article!)

Thanks again!
Jon

This book can be purchased from the S&W Collectors Assoc. I am not sure if they would be sold to a non-member of the Collectors Assoc. There is a link at the main page to the S&WCA.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Hi Jon,
I have quite a few Early Serial Number Range Bekeart 22/32 Targets. I just checked my records and your Serial Number 139258 was "Not" one of the Original Revolvers in Phil Bekeart's "Original" Order of 292 to S&W. Even so,it is one of the Early Guns built in the First Run of 1044 Revolvers built in 1911 & I believe it would be in your best interest to have it "Lettered" to see where it was shipped to. Some of these Early 22/32 Targets went to interesting people & places!!!! Hope I've helped in some way.

Masterpiece

Thank you for your research Masterpiece,
I did not expect it to have been early enough to have been in the 292 shipment, but I'm excited that it is a first production run just the same!