22/32 First Production Run Revolver Worth?

[JSR III]

And here is one of those, serial number 208106

That M.W. Robinson gun should have an assembly order number imprinted into the left stock bottom. I would love to add that to my database along with shipping date if you have it.

Unfortunately, S&W did not record these numbers or if they did these records have not been found. The only way to catalog them is by observation.

I have recorded quite a few and am able to come up with some rough ideas as to the serial number blocks that go with these assembly numbers.

The first run of 1,050 obviously bear numbers 1-1,050. Guns bearing serial numbers in the 160,000 to 165,000 range appear to be numbered between 1,051 and 2,100. The 490 Robinson guns show numbers between 2,117 and 2,582 giving a range of 465 pieces.

It is in my humble opinion, that S&W stopped this process with the 490 Robinson guns and that should put the total so marked at 2,590.

Other than a couple of fliers, I have no other assembly numbers observed after the M.W. Robinson guns. The unfortunate issue is that stocks can be removed and placed on another gun and there are no known records that list the serial number of the gun and the corresponding stock imprint numbers. All of this information is based on guns listed in my database and my observations. I do believe that I have a large enough pool of information to make these claims.

 

[Sarge9]

Surprised there was not a reserve on the $325.00 item.
Seller prob thinking, should have kept it. IDK

 

[donadler]

Number 138802

The 1st production run was thought to be delivered to Beakeart, totaling 1,000 guns. First serial number was around 138220 to 139,275. Your revolver fits the first production, but did not go to Beakeart as Roy suggested in his book. That is interesting, since the first standard production of this model was thought to have started in 1912. Maybe others have a record of the some of the first 1,000 going somewhere other than Beakeart, but I suspect it did not happen often.

Here is mine, not shipped to Bekeart, but in the first run. Lousy photo. Nice gun. No number on bottom of grips

 

[mrcvs]

That M.W. Robinson gun should have an assembly order number imprinted into the left stock bottom. I would love to add that to my database along with shipping date if you have it.

Unfortunately, S&W did not record these numbers or if they did these records have not been found. The only way to catalog them is by observation.

I have recorded quite a few and am able to come up with some rough ideas as to the serial number blocks that go with these assembly numbers.

The first run of 1,050 obviously bear numbers 1-1,050. Guns bearing serial numbers in the 160,000 to 165,000 range appear to be numbered between 1,051 and 2,100. The 490 Robinson guns show numbers between 2,117 and 2,582 giving a range of 465 pieces.

It is in my humble opinion, that S&W stopped this process with the 490 Robinson guns and that should put the total so marked at 2,590.

Other than a couple of fliers, I have no other assembly numbers observed after the M.W. Robinson guns. The unfortunate issue is that stocks can be removed and placed on another gun and there are no known records that list the serial number of the gun and the corresponding stock imprint numbers. All of this information is based on guns listed in my database and my observations. I do believe that I have a large enough pool of information to make these claims.

Here is the base of the stocks, as photographed, serial number 208106, number stamped base of LEFT stock '2313'.

 

[JSR III]

Here is mine, not shipped to Bekeart, but in the first run. Lousy photo. Nice gun. No number on bottom of grips

This gun shipped on 7-11-1911 to E.K. Tryon. If you have photos of both sides, I would love to add the details to my database. Do you have a photo of the bottom of the stocks? Are the stocks numbered to the gun inside the right stock?

 

[donadler]

My almost Bekeart

This gun shipped on 7-11-1911 to E.K. Tryon. If you have photos of both sides, I would love to add the details to my database. Do you have a photo of the bottom of the stocks? Are the stocks numbered to the gun inside the right stock?

I will dig it out of the safe and get some better photos for you. May be a few days.though.

 

[mrcvs]

You had asked for a ship date for serial number 208106. It was either 18, 21, or 27 February 1914.

 

[ol777gunnerz]

info

I should add: inside of one stock has same serial number as the revolver.

 

[mrcvs]

I should add: inside of one stock has same serial number as the revolver.

Very good! So does mine!

 

[JSR III]

Here is the base of the stocks, as photographed, serial number 208106, number stamped base of right stock '2313'.

Actually, I believe that the imprint number is on the bottom of the left stock......Serial number inside of right stock.....

 

[mrcvs]

Actually, I believe that the imprint number is on the bottom of the left stock......Serial number inside of right stock.....

Yes, you are correct. I get left and right confused all the time! I will edit my post.

 

[mrcvs]

Actually, I believe that the imprint number is on the bottom of the left stock......Serial number inside of right stock.....

Any ideas as to the exact ship date? Roy just indicated it was shipped February 1914. Ed Cornett (opoefc) did give me a manufacture date of 25 November 1913.

 

[donadler]

My almost Bekeart

This gun shipped on 7-11-1911 to E.K. Tryon. If you have photos of both sides, I would love to add the details to my database. Do you have a photo of the bottom of the stocks? Are the stocks numbered to the gun inside the right stock?

I will dig it out of the safe and get some better photos for you. May be a few days.though.

 

[JSR III]

I will dig it out of the safe and get some better photos for you. May be a few days.though.

Do you have any photos of the bottom of the stocks? I am curious to see if perhaps the imprint was removed. With this serial number there should be an imprint. Is the right stock numbered to the gun.

I am assuming that it was either removed of the stocks were replaced. Seeing that they do have the period correct gold medallions, replacement seems odd.

 

[JSR III]

Any ideas as to the exact ship date? Roy just indicated it was shipped February 1914.

Unfortunately I do not have all of the shipping dates for the 490 Robinson guns, just the serial numbers. The only way to find out is to request a letter. If you find out, please let me know.

 

[donadler]

Numbers not on stocks

Do you have any photos of the bottom of the stocks? I am curious to see if perhaps the imprint was removed. With this serial number there should be an imprint. Is the right stock numbered to the gun.

I am assuming that it was either removed of the stocks were replaced. Seeing that they do have the period correct gold medallions, replacement seems odd.

There is a number 450 in the cylinder cut out. Any relation to the number that should have been stamped on the stocks?

 

[mrcvs]

Unfortunately I do not have all of the shipping dates for the 490 Robinson guns, just the serial numbers. The only way to find out is to request a letter. If you find out, please let me know.

Right now, I know my revolver shipped either 18, 21, or 27 February 1914 and I know that it shipped to M W Robinson. The configuration for this model did not vary much, except for design changes that evolved over time, except for sights, so it's not worth it for me to letter this one to discover the exact day of shipment. I've lettered all the rest of my Smith & Wesson revolvers, or, at least, nearly so.

 

[JSR III]

There is a number 450 in the cylinder cut out. Any relation to the number that should have been stamped on the stocks?

No, there is not. There is no correlation to the guns serial number either. Typically numbers in this area are assembly numbers to match fitted parts back together after they have been blued. That same number should be found on the back of the side plate.

Since after enlarging, I cannot see any penciled serial number on the inside of the right stock panel, I must assume that these stocks were a period replacement due to the gold medallions. These medallions were used from the beginning in 1911 until 1920 when no medallions were used. They could have been taken from another period gun and the serial number has faded or purchased new from the factory.

 

[JSR III]

There is a number 450 in the cylinder cut out. Any relation to the number that should have been stamped on the stocks?

Just for ha ha's, I looked in my database at listings surrounding your 138,802 to see if I could see a relationship to serial numbers and the imprints. The only two surrounding your gun with imprint numbers are 138,795 with imprint 395 and 138,810 with imprint 539. Since 450 falls between these two imprint numbers, it does make one wonder???? Just to add more confusion to the puzzle, 138,879 has imprint number 445 so again this shows the random relationship between serial numbers and these imprint numbers.

I also did a count of guns shipped to E.K. Tryon on 7/11/1911 and found a total of 23. Seems to be an odd number but I may have missed one or perhaps it is one of the 2 or 3 that were not readable in the company records.

If you have time, I would love to see some photos of this number from the frame and yoke area on your gun.

Now I will have to go look at my collection to see if I own any others so marked.

 

[ol777gunnerz]

info

I was able to get one photo out of several to show the pencil serial number under the right grip. 138935