22/32 HFT

SFIDEC · #1 02-11-2019, 05:14 PM

Purchased this well-worn 22/32 HFT approx. 2 years ago at local gun show. Even though the knife-like front sight could be used to scale fish, wood grips used as alternative for hammer, I went ahead and laid down $340. After getting home and inspecting...I noticed barrel serial number didn't match butt or cylinder number. Even though I was disappointed, I fired six rounds through it, cleaned it up, and put it in back of safe.
This past week I ran across some Sile plastic grips on Etay to fit on the 22/32 and got em for $20. While I was replacing wood grips with these plastic Sile's I noticed faint numbers on bottom of wood grips. Since my eyes don't see well anymore...I used my cell phone to blowup pictures and think the numbers are 2468.
Since this gun now has so many numbers...Guess I've got a revolver that is like my dog...A Heinz 57
Attached are some pictures I took of gun and stocks.
Comments welcome.
Ray

Hondo44 · #2 02-11-2019, 06:35 PM

Congrats!

It was priced right. The # on the butt would not match anything else on the gun; the first 3000 guns were produced with that indicating the order they were assembled, so it's an early gun and the 2468th produced.

The next thing to check for is the penciled serial on the back of the right grip only. It will be penciled and equally hard to see, so I'd also use your phone and get a photo.

Please also post a photo of the left side grip frame for other S&W codes.

The barrel # doesn't match but the B in a diamond indicates a factory re-finish, although it more likely applies to the barrel and the former frame it originated from.

You serial #208414 very probably shipped in Feb or Mar 1914. Our .22/32 Heavy Frame Target guru, JSR III will be able to tell you more and if it has any Bekeart connection; the originator of the idea for this model.

SFIDEC · #3 02-11-2019, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Congrats!

It was priced right. The # on the butt would not match anything else on the gun; the first 3000 guns were produced with that indicating the order they were assembled, so it's an early gun and the 2468th produced.

The next thing to check for is the penciled serial on the back of the right grip only. It will be penciled and equally hard to see, so I'd also use your phone and get a photo.

Please also post a photo of the left side grip frame for other S&W codes.

The barrel # doesn't match but the B in a diamond indicates a factory re-finish, although it more likely applies to the barrel and the former frame it originated from.

You serial #208414 very probably shipped in Feb or Mar 1914. Our .22/32 Heavy Frame Target guru, JSR III will be able to tell you more and if it has any Bekeart connection; the originator of the idea for this model.

Attached are additional pictures. Looks like grip panel serial number matches grip frame and rear cylinder. There doesn't seem to be any stamping on left or right grip frame.
Thanks for pointing out looking for penciled numbers on inside of right grip panel.

Hondo44 · #4 02-11-2019, 09:53 PM

Beautiful, that confirms that the gun # 208414 was truly assembled # 2468 in order. Because the gun serial #s are not assembled in any order at all.

From what we observe about this model, the barrel was most likely replaced with the present barrel to obtain the custom front sight or because the original barrel had a bulge (common) or was otherwise damaged or cut short.

The original standard front sight for your gun was the Ira Paine bead on a blade shown here:

Pre-war k-22 outdoorsman?-file0433-jpg

Photo credit: ric620

If you'd like a brief outline of the history of this model just ask.

series guy · #5 02-11-2019, 10:21 PM

Amazing coincidence. I have 208271 that has barrel # 226045. There is just the standard B preceding the number on the barrel for a blue factory finish. There is no Bin a diamond. My grips number 2419 and are pencil numbered to the gun. It seems odd that guns so close had barrels changed with such close numbers also.

Hondo44 · #6 02-12-2019, 12:14 AM

So we have:

Gun #208271 / 2419 grip number that has a later barrel #226045 on it.

Gun #298414 / 2468 with a factory refinished barrel (B in a diamond) earlier barrel #226003 on it.

I don't have either gun #s 226045 and 226003 in my database. They may no longer exist except as parts. If they do exist, they could have factory barrels stamped with serial #s to match if replaced at the factory.

After the 22/32 Kit Gun with 4" barrel was introduced in 1935, we know some HFTs were sent back to the factory to install the shorter barrel which would be stamped to match the gun's s/n. Or to a gunsmith in which case the short barrel will not have a serial # stamped on it. We've seen both cases.

OldChief · #7 02-12-2019, 12:55 PM

I noticed you said you replaced the grips with a set of plastic grips. Whatever you do, do not get rid of the original set, they're hard to come by and quite valuable.

SFIDEC · #8 02-12-2019, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldChief

I noticed you said you replaced the grips with a set of plastic grips. Whatever you do, do not get rid of the original set, they're hard to come by and quite valuable.

Thanks for the heads-up Chief!
The wooden grips with medallions was the driving factor as to why I purchased this 22/32 to begin with. I had never seen grips like these before and was not very familiar with the 22/32 at that time. Also didn't know there were decent looking grips available as option for the 22/32 until I ran across the Sile grips on Etay (picture attached). The price was actually $22 with free shipping, came in original packaging, and I couldn't pass them up.
BTW...I am also a certified GripAholic.

larryofcc · #9 02-12-2019, 04:13 PM

Talk about close. My 22-32 Heavy Frame # 495642, has the number 495653 penciled in the right panel. I believe this to be a factory error. The rest of the revolver is 95%+ and all matching. Big Larry

larryofcc · #10 02-12-2019, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFIDEC

Thanks for the heads-up Chief!
The wooden grips with medallions was the driving factor as to why I purchased this 22/32 to begin with. I had never seen grips like these before and was not very familiar with the 22/32 at that time. Also didn't know there were decent looking grips available as option for the 22/32 until I ran across the Sile grips on Etay (picture attached). The price was actually $22 with free shipping, came in original packaging, and I couldn't pass them up.
BTW...I am also a certified GripAholic.

Are these stocks marked Sile? Thanks, Big Larry

SFIDEC · #11 02-12-2019, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryofcc

Are these stocks marked Sile? Thanks, Big Larry

Big Larry,
I'm assuming they are Sile because of packaging (Attached Pictures). I have not been able to find anything like them when I do an internet search. There is no name on the actual grips.

Green Frog · #12 02-12-2019, 04:57 PM

The 22/32 or Bekert Model or 22 HFT was certainly a shooter's gun! While some (very few) of them come through to the present in pristine or at least well cared for condition, a very large number of them seem to have been used, abused, modified and mortified over the years as evidenced by their current condition. Mine came to me with a bulged barrel, mostly brown finish and the later style (but probably original to the gun) Regulation Police style grips. I was fortunate to find a NOS barrel with all markings and bead front sight at Poppert's so it's ready for even more abuse! They are sure a lot of fun.

Froggie

Green Frog · #13 02-12-2019, 04:59 PM

Packaging notwithstanding, those grips look an awful lot like the ones being currently cast in North Carolina. The name of the company escapes me right now, but I think it has the name Royal attached somewhere.

Froggie

larryofcc · #14 02-12-2019, 05:06 PM

I have shot mine and it is quite accurate. When I bought mine, the pictures that were sent were really bad. Made the revolver look like ****. The seller only wanted $400 shipped for it so I took a chance. Opened the box when it came, and man, was I ever surprised. It is at least 95%+.
They are a fun gun to shoot. Lots lighter than a K22, and just as accurate. Mine does not have the later cylinder, so I shoot only low velocity target ammo in it. Big Larry

larryofcc · #15 02-12-2019, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Frog

Packaging notwithstanding, those grips look an awful lot like the ones being currently cast in North Carolina. The name of the company escapes me right now, but I think it has the name Royal attached somewhere.

Froggie

I was wondering about the rubber stocks as I just bought a pair advertised as originals on Ebay. No markings whatsoever and I put them on a 3rd model M1905 round butt and they fit perfectly like they had been hand fitted. Big Larry

SFIDEC · #16 02-12-2019, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Frog

Packaging notwithstanding, those grips look an awful lot like the ones being currently cast in North Carolina. The name of the company escapes me right now, but I think it has the name Royal attached somewhere.

Froggie

OK...Did some digging and here is what I came up with on Repo Grips for 22/32 (Picture attached). Made of Urethene.
NC Ordinance - Wilson, NC
G32 Smith & Wesson 32 & 38 Target Grips, Black
The North Carolina connection did it.
Thanks Froggie!

Hondo44 · #17 02-12-2019, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFIDEC

Big Larry,
I'm assuming they are Sile because of packaging (Attached Pictures). I have not been able to find anything like them when I do an internet search. There is no name on the actual grips.

These are patterned after the "improved" 1920 grips with sharp front grip toe. You'll notice that your gun's front toe is rounded (and your walnut target grips) so there'll be a slight gap.

22/32 HFT - Experienced & Modified-s-w-22-32-sile-grips-4-jpg

22/32 HFT - Experienced & Modified-s-w-22-32-sile-grips-4-jpg

Photo credit: SFIDEC

Hondo44 · #18 02-12-2019, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFIDEC

OK...Did some digging and here is what I came up with on Repo Grips for 22/32 (Picture attached). Made of Urethene.
NC Ordinance - Wilson, NC
G32 Smith & Wesson 32 & 38 Target Grips, Black
The North Carolina connection did it.
Thanks Froggie!

Those are very nice. Unfortunately they were cast in a mold made from an original pair that appear to have been modified. The slight hump at the top of the back strap has been flattened; an oft seen modification for some reason. Or more likely, that's where the sprue was for pouring into the mold and when the sprue was cut off the hump was taken with it! The finisher didn't look at the model to know the proper shape.

With hump:
22/32 HFT - Experienced & Modified-s-w-22-32-sile-grips-jpg

22/32 HFT - Experienced & Modified-s-w-22-32-sile-grips-jpg

Photo credit: SFIDEC

By the way, Armorall will put a sheen on those grips to look more like the factory sheen and is also a great preservative for them.

With hump:
22/32 HFT - Experienced & Modified-s-w-22-32-pic-14-jpg

22/32 HFT - Experienced & Modified-s-w-22-32-pic-14-jpg

Photo credit: SFIDEC

Hump flattened:
22/32 HFT - Experienced & Modified-s-w-22-32-grips-nc-ord-jpg

Photo credit: SFIDEC

Green Frog · #19 02-12-2019, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

These are patterned after the "improved" 1920 grips with sharp front grip toe. You'll notice that your gun's front toe is rounded (and your walnut target grips) so there'll be a slight gap.

22/32 HFT - Experienced & Modified-s-w-22-32-sile-grips-4-jpg

Photo credit: SFIDEC

... but with a little epoxy resin and some black pigment, all can be right with the world!

Froggie

series guy · #20 02-12-2019, 07:34 PM

I don't see any screws and escutcheons with your new grips. Were they included?

SFIDEC · #21 02-13-2019, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by series guy

I don't see any screws and escutcheons with your new grips. Were they included?

No screws or escutcheons were included with the Sile's. I see the ones from NC Ordinance already have escutcheons installed and include screws. It is definitely another learning experience installing the escutcheons but hopefully it will exercise my one remaining brain cell.