Bekeart Restoration Resource

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whgraham

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Hi Folks,

I bought a Bekeart today. Had no idea there was such a gun, and knew nothing about what I was buying other than it looked like a cool old Smith .22 that was still tight and well timed. Might be fun. Deal done. The serial number range is 5502xx

I like to take guns apart, put them back together, and essentially do both for my novice gunsmithing education. I think by typical grading standards, this gun would be mechanically very good, cosmetically poor. Again, I didn't buy it thinking it was collectable, just to tinker with, maybe refinish, and shoot.

Now that I'm learning more about what it is, I'm not sure I'll be doing anything, rather send it to someone else who's a REAL gunsmith. I'm just a hobbyist who like to parkerize at home.

Who would you folks recommend? I'm hoping for someone that would take several months, and the cost wouldn't too awful much. If I can't find the right solution, I'll probably pass the gun on to a good home with someone who can fix it up right.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
 

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I think it would be in your best interest to post some more photos for us to see because unless I'm mistaken your Revolver looks to have a 4 Inch Barrel. If,in fact,this is true I believe what you have there is a Post-War Transitional 22/32 "Kit Gun" and "Very Collectable"!! The Serial Number Range is right in line for this Very Scarce Revolver!! If it were mine I wouldn't do anything other than a good overall clean-up. Any other "Restoration Work" would De-Value your Revolver to a great extent. Hope to see some more close-up photos in the near future for us to make a "Correct Identification" of what you have!!
 
Yes, please show more photos. You may have an uncommon gun that is worth more than you might think despite a patchy finish. Do you see the same serial number on the flat underside of the barrel and on the rear face of the cylinder? The only thing a little inconsistent with the postwar transitional Kit Gun identification is the Patridge front sight. All postwar KGs I know have the rounded USRA pocket revolver front sight.

Do the stocks have a number on an inside surface?

Rather than try to improve the gun, I would just keep it clean and store it in a way to keep it from getting any worse in between range sessions. No reason not to shoot it. These little .22s are cool guns and quite accurate once you get used to them.
 
Yes...similarly, if it were mine, I would keep it well lubed, clean, plink with it now and then, and, love it for what it is, and not try changing anything about it.

It is a rare Revolver, worn a little cosmetically, with use and carry, and, it has honest character.


If you want a minty version of the same or a similar thing, take your time, shop around, and, sooner or later, you will find one..!
 
Wait, I just noticed you have no logo on the side plate and a small logo on the left side of the frame. That indicates prewar production. I wonder if the serial number has been read correctly. The numbering dies were easy to read only if lightly used, and it is sometimes hard to distinguish a deeply punched 3 from a 5. If this gun's serial number is 530xxx, then you are right in the wheelhouse for a prewar .22/32 Kit Gun. And the Patridge sight does not need explaining.

I see from the first photo that the serial number is on the forestrap behind the trigger guard. That indicates the gun came with either Regulation Police stocks or the extension stocks you see on the gun now. Those would have been rare (or maybe not even available) on a postwar revolver. If you pull them, you may see a serial number stamped on an inside surface that ties them to the frame and other parts of this gun.
 
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I looked at the underside of the barrel, and the serial number is stamped there and more easily read as: 5302xx

There is no serial number on the grip panels, but the panels are in excellent shape.

The top of the barrell has a long string of patent information.
Smith & Wesson logo on the left side.
Made in USA on the right side.
22 Long Rifle CTG on the left side of the barrel.

As far as refinishing it goes, I'm taking your folks advice and leaving it well enough alone, aside from a through cleaning. Mechanically the gun is great. Everything but the barrel pitting could be worked back to like-new, but I'm not up for that, and think it wise to leave it. Ultimately, I'm probably going to pass it on to a collector. I'm not a collector that much, aside from some long guns I inherited from my family, and I've got some other guns I'd like to get for more practicle purposes.

I'll post some better pictures tonight with a better camera, assuming I can work out better lighting.

Thanks All!
 
That confirms it as a prewar .22/32 Kit Gun. I have 530151, which shipped in 1937. Your gun may have shipped in that year, or a year later; S&W didn't follow a policy of shipping in numerical order, and it was possible for guns to sit in inventory for a while after being made up.

There is much misinformation about the value of early Kit Guns, most of it stemming from the Blue Book. In the real world, when in the best of condition, these guns usually change hands in the $2700-3200 range. In good mechanical condition but with worn finishes, the range is probably between $1200-2200 depending on the wear. When they sell under $1000, usually the seller does not know what he has or there are some issues with the gun. At auction they may go at a bargain price if there is only one Kit Gun buyer looking to score that day, but usually two or more bidders will push the price closer to the historical market level.

Lucky you!
 
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Wow. Thanks for all of this information. I would be happy with a fair bit below the "I don't know what I've got" range. I've certainly lost money on some projects along the way, so it would be nice to make up for some of that with passing along this gun, but I wouldn't want to be too greedy with my expectations. I can tell you, I paid nowhere near the prices you've mentioned.

Thanks again.
 
Looking forward to seeing some more photos of your Revolver later. The Serial No. clarification definitely clears the air as far as the period of manufacture. The Extension Grips w/ Flush Silver Medallions are a "Plus",I think,if the Revolver "Letters" being shipped in the configuration it is now in. Hopefully you will post it in the "For Sale" Forum on the site if you decide to let it go to a new home. I'm sure there will be quite a bit of interest as these are very hard to find in any reasonable condition anymore!!
 
The barrel is 4".

Here's the photo album link:

1937_Bekeart pictures by whgraham - Photobucket

I'm going to sell it. Based on the information above, and the condition as described and evidenced in the images, what would you folks say would be a good deal for someone? I don't really want to haggle, so a fair price from the beginning is what I could use some guidance on.

I would of course ship the gun, insured, and next to an FFL.
 
Two more pics would help a lot-
a clear pic of the barrel serial number
a clear pic of the left grip frame without the grips
 
Your question is about a fair price.

I think a fair price is between $600 and $800, but probably closer to
$600. Others may not agree, but that is what I think.

4" 22/32 targets are scarce guns. But, like real estate, condition is
everything. This gun is not in great condition. Either someone is
going to accept it for what it is now, or want to restore it. It has a lot
of surface rust, and it appears to have had some more that was
removed with steel wool, or some other abrasive.

It can be restored, but then its a refinished gun, which greatly
diminishes its value, relative to an original 95% gun. And this ignores
what its going to cost to get it looking right - probably minimum of
$500.

I think that if a lot of other members here thought it was worth a lot
more, they would have stepped up and said so. On the other hand,
someone may have bellied up to the bar and made you a nice offer.
I have no way of knowing that.

Regardless, that is what I think.

Mike Priwer
 
It might be helpful to clarify at this point. Bekeart is a collector nickname for certain early 20th century 6" guns officially designated "22/32 Heavy Frame Target". The same gun introduced in 1935 with 4 " barrels are "22/32 Kit Guns". Yours appears to be one but may not be. Many 6" guns were sent back to the factory for replacement of the 6" with 4" barrels. An historical letter from S&W will verify how this gun originated. Markings if any, under the left grip may help in determining any additional history since being sold new. Hence the request for that photo which may also give us more evidence of the original grip style. You may also want to re-examine the backside of the right grip for any signs of stamped or lightly penciled numbers.
Obviously you'd like to know exactly what you have and we'd like to help.
 
There are no marking on the inner surface of the grip panels. I added some more pictures of the panels, and also the grip frame.

There is an X and another mark of some kind on the left side of the grip frame, near the grip panel pin.

On the right side there's what looks like a B, K, and a U (upside down presentation in relation to the other stamps).
 
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I have been wondering how to value this gun. I think it could bring more than Mike Priwer suggested, but after studying the photos closely I doubt that it would cross the $1000 barrier. There just seems to be too much of the original blue missing, and some rust here and there. All of that holds the value down, even for a fairly uncommon model like the Prewar KG. Maybe somebody who loves these little guns and was willing to put in some serious time could improve its curb appeal without further damaging the remaining original qualities.

I think the gun is exactly what it appears to be, and not a modification. If the nomenclature and serial number issues had not clouded the discussion at the outset, I'd think anyone who saw this would say, "That's a prewar .22/32 Kit Gun."

Kit Guns are in demand, but not everybody can afford a good one. I think this one represents a chance for an aspirational Kit Gun owner to acquire one at a reasonable price. The OP may wish to offer it at $900-1000 and see what kind of response he gets. If there is no response he can add "OBO" to the listing or start backing the price down until something happens. I suspect he may have some offers in his PM inbox already.

In the interests of full disclosure, I should state that I tend to value guns a little high because of the California effect. I am also a little nuts about prewar Kit Guns, so I may be seeing value here that others can't.
 
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Is the full serial number on the barrel? I just can't make it out, even blown up.
To me, it looks like the last 3, with a letter O toward the muzzle.
 
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