Bekeart models and .22/32 HFT's

[JSR III]

I am putting together a database of information about the Bekeart models and the subsequent .22/32 HFT's. I have close to 350 guns in the database so far and I am asking for your help to add any additional numbers to the list. I have obvious headings like serial number, stock sequence number, date shipped, destination, stock style, front sight, recessed chambers, condition and modifications/inclusions.

Things like bobbed hammers, knob style etc., are listed under the modifications.

If anyone has any that they would like to add to the list, please supply the details. Should you not want to post the information publicly, feel free to PM or email me and no names will be attached to any information.

If you own a .22/32 and just want to see if I have any information about your gun, please feel free to ask.

Many folks think that if their gun is numbered between 138,226 and 139,275 that it went to Bekeart, however, that is not correct. For example, 138,226 did not and neither did 139,274.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Göring's S&W]

James,

Here is a thread on my two "Bekearts". It has all of the details.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/326788-not-so-heavy-heavy-frame-target-22-a.html

 

[Engine49guy]

I have serial Serial 138437 grip number is 567 and although serial is within range it reportedly did not ship to P.B. .

Condition is poor but it was my grandfathers gun and it lit my passion for S&W .22lr revolvers at an early age.
The story was that he traded a WWII P-38 war trophy for it so he could shoot pigeons with my uncle when he was a child in the late 40's,
They lived in Carlstadt NJ near the Meadlowlands just west of Manhattan and said it was all woods n fields back then.

 

[rct269]

Mine is #444707, shipped March 8, !927 to Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago. Stock style is the typical "target". Front sight is Patridge. Clearly does not have recessed chambers. Condition is as new in box---not counting a faint "turn line". There are no modifications.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[JSR III]

WOW, several responses right away. Thanks guys.

I have the following that won't go into my database properly due to missing numbers. If you own one of these, please get me the rest of the info so I can enter them where they belong on the list numerically. Any other details that you are willing to supply would also be helpful. I am already seeing a pattern with serial numbers and stock sequence numbers so keep it coming.

163,2XX 1255
164,XXX 1869
163,3XX 1133
163,5XX 1298
163,6XX 1693

 

[stu1ritter]

I don't own it but 138688 with grip number 331, target stocked, was shipped to an individual according to Roy.

 

[H Richard]

This one is s/n 441727, and shipped Sept. 1926. All matching #'s.

 

[tlay]

I own serial #399275. Standard targets and shipped on 7/24/24.

 

[red9]

I believe you have info on #139027, butt #667, shipped 6/6/11 not to Bekeart. I also have #238574 (shipped 1/17, Paine front), #444628 (Patridge) and #390981 (Patridge, box).

Bob

 

[JSR III]

Bob,

Are you certain of the 6/6/1911 ship date on 139,027? The first Bekeart shipment was on 6/7/1911 so yours would pre date the first Bekeart shipment. Also, the lower numbered 139,XXX guns all shipped 8/31/1911.

PS: I just went back through some old posts and found one from Ed Cornett stating that your gun 139,027 was MADE on 6/6/1911 so it probably did shipp at a later date.

 

[JSR III]

Thanks for the added info guys, keep it coming.

Please include serial number, stock number if any, style of stocks, front sight, condition, box, extractor knob style or modifications and if a later model, recessed chambers or not.

This is the only way we can narrow down these changes as serial numbers dont always dictate when a specific change occured.

Thanks again,

James

 

[1blindref]

I've got one that I lettered. Hopefully you can get all of the info you need from my pictures.

 

[Hondo44]

I always wondered when the RP stocks were changed back to the targets and found this just recently:

22/32 HFT's change order from sq RP stocks back to target stocks, and the Paine/U-Notch to Patridge/Square Notch came through Aug.29,1923 and the next day for the Single Shot as well as the 32 & 38 Target Models. S&W 1857-1945 N&J pg. 235.

 

[Hondo44]

James,

Here is a thread on my two "Bekearts". It has all of the details.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/326788-not-so-heavy-heavy-frame-target-22-a.html

Jim,

The s/n in the letter shown doesn't match either of the HFTs shown in your post???
And neither has a Patridge front sight as listed in the letter.

 

[JSR III]

Those are both Paine front sights. I would double check with Roy and see about getting a corrected letter if required.

My database is building slowly however, the last Paine front sight is listed in the 207,XXX range around 1914/1915 and the first Patridge is listed for gun 441,727 in September of 1926.

I also show large knob with the same gun, 441,727, and the first medium knob with 533,048 in January 1940.

As more guns are added, the numbers and dates should be more defined.

 

[JSR III]

Bringing this back up. There must be more of these out there.

 

[ironmikevelocette]

james,
here are the particulars on #220397 which i bought from an upstate new york dealer this past june.
two screw stocks w/gold medallions no numbers on butt or inside rt. pannel
paine frt. site. square notch in rear blade
non-recessed chambers
large knob on ejector rod
good shooter grade
not yet lettered

keep up the good work,
mike mcniel

 

[rec0546]

James,
Here is information on serial #361069:
Non-recessed cylinder
No 'Made in USA' stamp
RP grips with Pat June 5, 1917 no medallions
Large knob
Paine front sight
U shaped rear sight
No box.
Condition 99%

Not lettered so I don't know when it was shipped. Assume early 20's.
Hope this helps.
Ralph

 

[Hondo44]

James,
Here is information on serial #361069:
Non-recessed cylinder
No 'Made in USA' stamp
RP grips with Pat June 5, 1917 no medallions
Large knob
Paine front sight
U shaped rear sight
No box.
Condition 99%

Not lettered so I don't know when it was shipped. Assume early 20's.
Hope this helps.
Ralph

Ralph,

Without grip medallions puts it at after ~ 1920 and w/o Made In USA puts it prior to 1923.

 

[Hondo44]

james,
here are the particulars on #220397 which i bought from an upstate new york dealer this past june.
two screw stocks w/gold medallions no numbers on butt or inside rt. pannel
paine frt. site. square notch in rear blade
non-recessed chambers
large knob on ejector rod
good shooter grade
not yet lettered

keep up the good work,
mike mcniel

Mike,

Your serial # puts about 1916.