Just what did I find at my local gun shop? Is it a Bekheart or just a 22-32 hand ejector target model? Does anyone recognize the box? Not rust on cylinder face... just dust.... Seems too perfect to be true....



Thanks in advance....

399xxx serial number range...

It's "just" a .22/.32, serial number is too late to be a true Bekeart. It looks like a gem, though, the kind of find you may be kicking yourself over for years if you let it pass by....

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

The serial number points to about 1925, which means the gun was probably marketed as a .22/32 Heavy Frame Target or possibly just a .22/32 Hand Ejector; I have never managed to work out the exact sequence and dates of the changing name for this model. That date is consistent with the tale of the stocks, which are '20s-era based on the lack of S&W medallions in the rounded tops. I don't remember seeing a box like that.

The gun appears to be in excellent condition; is there any indication it was refinished? For example, is the beveled front of the ejector rod knob blue or in the white? Blue points to a refinish, white to original condition.

It's not clear to me if you are just looking at that gun or have already bought it; if not, you should jump on it. Would you care to disclose the asking or purchase price?

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David Wilson

First of all welcome to the forum. Sit back as it is definitely an E ticket ride.

If you search the forum using the term Bekeart, you will probably come up with more information than you dreamed of.

There are several stages of "Bekeartness" if you are a purist or you can lump them all together.

The thought of a .22 caliber revolver made on the heavier .32 frame was the brain child of San Francisco gun dealer Philip Bekeart. Apparently he had several inquiries from customers wondering why S&W had never produced a target .22 but on a bigger or heavier frame such as the .32.

Thinking that this might be a money maker combination, he approached S&W about making such a gun. The factory would need to retool to produce it and was not willing to do so for only a few guns. They told Bekeart that they would need an order of 1000 revolvers to consider setting up to make the gun.

Bekeart thought that it would be an excellent product and assumed that he would sell them like "hotcakes". So as the story goes, in 1911 Bekeart ordered 900 to 1,000 guns and the factory went about the process of setting up to deliver. The first run was about 1,044 revolvers starting around serial number 138,226 and ending around 139,275, however, the first shipment to Bekeart was only 292 guns. They did not fly off the shelves as Bekeart had hoped and he did not take any more of the initial run. The balance of the 1,044 beyond the first 292 were distributed through S&W's normal dealers of the day.

Of this model, the first 3,000 produced also had a number stamped on the bottom of the stocks from 1-3000.

The .22/.32 became a regular cataloged item in 1915 at around serial number 160,000. A change order to recess the chambers in the cylinder was issued in 1935 and it is reported that this occured at around serial number 525,600.


So, a purist collector would consider only the first 292 (delivered to Bekeart) as "true Bekearts".

Second on the list would be one of the first production run of 1,044 but not shipped to Bekeart.

Third would be one of the ones from after the first run of 1,044 but still having a number on the stock bottom.

Fourth would be any .22/.32 without a number on the stock but shipped before 1915 when it became a cataloged gun.

Fifth would be any .22/.32 shipped between 1915 and 1935 when the cylinders became recessed.

Sixth would be any .22/.32 shipped after 1935 up until 1941 when the model was discontinued.

The only exception to this very general rule would be any gun beyond the first 292 that did ship to Bekeart. I have no direct knowledge as to whether this happened or not, however, it is possible that Bekeart could have ordered .22/32's after the initial 292 shipment and these would be considered a sub set of "true Bekeartness".

Now who says that collecting S&W's is boring????

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James Redfield
LM #497

First of all... Thank you so very much for this incredible amount of information.
I took photos of the ejector and it is still white... Any other signs I should look for?

Did Smith ever use a plain box with what looks like brass rivets for reinforcement?

To answer another question.... Yes, I most certainly jumped on this with both feet for $500 out the door. I hope I did a good thing......

I would say that you did just fine. I own 3 and paid anywhere from $300 to $450 but that was a few years back. I have seen them in minty shape go over $1,000. Obviously, the internet (thank you Al Gore) has sent prices to the moon. You can still find them at small shows or from little old ladies for short money but those days are slowly going by the boards.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Interestingly, this gun can now be had on GB for the paultry sum of $2,150. Who says that information gathered here on the forum ain't worth nothin!!!

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James Redfield
LM #497

How is Bekeart pronounced, anyway?

James, good recall from over a year ago on this one. Either the OP or the dealer to which he sold this one is making a hefty profit on it. At least the buyer gets the factory letter free .

I believe it is beak'-art, but someone who knows for sure can correct me.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220