Bekeart models and .22/32 HFT's

[JLSanderson]

Even though this is a 1st category "Bekeart", is there any value to the gun with a replacement rear sight that is not original? And would it be worth looking for an original repalcement sight knowing that they are numbered to the gun?

 

[Hondo44]

Even though this is a 1st category "Bekeart", is there any value to the gun with a replacement rear sight that is not original? And would it be worth looking for an original replacement sight knowing that they are numbered to the gun?

Especially in high condition, it would certainly still have value just not as much. And the non-factory sight drops the value further than a non-number matching factory sight would. Especially if the frame was altered for the non-factory sight installation. Is the frame modified?

A factory sight would be difficult to find. However, there's an awful lot of .22/32 HFT models out there with lots of wear and/or modifications with very decreased value. That would offer an opportunity to obtain a factory rear sight, even though with non matching number.

 

[Bullet99]

Even though this is a 1st category "Bekeart", is there any value to the gun with a replacement rear sight that is not original? And would it be worth looking for an original repalcement sight knowing that they are numbered to the gun?

What gun are you referring to?

 

[Bullet99]

Especially in high condition, it would certainly still have value just not as much. And the non-factory sight drops the value further than a non-number matching factory sight would. Especially if the frame was altered for the non-factory sight installation. Is the frame modified?

A factory sight would be difficult to find. However, there's an awful lot of .22/32 HFT models out there with lots of wear and/or modifications with very decreased value. That would offer an opportunity to obtain a factory rear sight, even though with non matching number.

Which gun which sight are you talking about? Just curious..

 

[JSR III]

I think that a lot may depend on the sight. I have seen several .22/32 HFT's with non factory front sights but if it was one of the well known makers of the day, like Sheard, it would not bother me. As Dr. Jinks has said many times, it is nice to find pristine sock drawer S&W's that have lived their lives as museum pieces, but it is also cool to find guns that have been altered or modified by the owner to their personal specs.

Your gun is still a first shipment to Bekeart himself and the 29th gun of this model ever assembled. Unless the rear sight modification was badly done, it really wouldn't bother me too much.

The main problem that I have observed is that these guns just don't seem to attract the interest that I feel that they should. I follow these guns when selling on GB and many have sat for over a year. Not really sure why S&W's first venture into a large size .22 revolver doesn't draw fevered collector interest. Perhaps it is due to the I frame as opposed to the mid 30's advent of the new K frame 6" .22 revolvers.

I own 3 from the first 3 Bekeart shipments and 2 from 2 of the 5 shipments to M.W. Robinson in 1914. As evidenced by my avatar, I like them a lot.

 

[Hondo44]

Which gun which sight are you talking about? Just curious..

Post #178, the second gun referenced below:

I have two 22-32's that can be added to your data base. The first one I bought two years ago. The SN is 240266, which I think puts it in the 1916 year, all sn's match. Gold medallions, WF Sheard front sight, adj. Rear sight.

The second one I just bought a month ago, SN 138272, 29 stamped on the bottom of the left stock. All sn's match including the penciled number on the right stock. It has gold medallions, Paine front sight and what looks to be a replacement non adjustable rear sight. I believe this gun was in the first shipment to Philip Bekeart in 6/7/1911.

 

[JLSanderson]

22-32 S&W

Especially in high condition, it would certainly still have value just not as much. And the non-factory sight drops the value further than a non-number matching factory sight would. Especially if the frame was altered for the non-factory sight installation. Is the frame modified?

A factory sight would be difficult to find. However, there's an awful lot of .22/32 HFT models out there with lots of wear and/or modifications with very decreased value. That would offer an opportunity to obtain a factory rear sight, even though with non matching number.

The frame has not been modified. I'm new to the forum and l'll send photos when I have figured out how to do it.

 

[Tnich1126]

Thanks for putting this together. He is my info and any info you can let me know about this gun I would appreciate.
Serial # 163612
Grips have 1474 stamped on left outside grip
Also a star stamped on outside beside SN hope you can see it.

If you need more let me know,
Thanks
Terry

Sorry can't get pictures attached

 

[Papa Lee]

22/32 HFT

Here's a photo of three.

 

[MHF]

just got this today. serial #163507 stock #1307. 2 screw gold medallion grips. No made in USA. Small S&W stamp on left side. Large knob. Shooter

 

[Tweek]

Wow, This thread is 10 years old! But I have one to add.
I picked up my gun today at the LGS. They got it from an estate.

Serial: 138552
Grip#: 268
Has "Star" stamp and diamond "B"
Paine front sight with a V notch rear.
Serial is written inside right grip.

I don't have a letter but am sending off for one tomorrow.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums. Take off the grips and look for a star on the butt next to the serial or on the left side of the grip frame. There should also be a service date in the format MM.YY on the front left toe of the grip frame. The extractor is from a much later version...after about 1930. It was probably replaced to match the barrel milling when it was replaced.

 

[Tweek]

Thank you!
The star is next to the serial on the front strap. All I can find under the grips is a small number :51. Nothing on the butt.

 

[Tweek]

There is another Diamond B on the left side of the frame and the serial is also on the cylinder. Lots of tiny fonts on this gun.

 

[Rubone]

By chance does anyone have a spare hammer? Mine is 253800 and the hammer spur is missing, most likely dropped at some time in the last century.

 

[Tweek]

By chance does anyone have a spare hammer? Mine is 253800 and the hammer spur is missing, most likely dropped at some time in the last century.

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