Help with Value - .22/.32 Heavy Target

s&wchad

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Opinions please. Serial # 386XXX. I haven't seen it yet, it belongs to a friend at the gun club. He tells me it's in great shape and may want to sell or trade.

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Opinions please. Serial # 386XXX. I haven't seen it yet, it belongs to a friend at the gun club. He tells me it's in great shape and may want to sell or trade.

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Chad,
An interesting variation. This is the way the model came to look in the early 20's- with the Regulation Police type grips and a step in the backstrap. Some may have been made immediately after the Great War with the old oversize stocks with medallions- I am no Bekeart authority.
I had one like that with the grip number matching that shipped in 10-23.
A super-clean one with matching grips-----I would think $850-1200, depending on just HOW clean.
 
Hi Chad, The gun has 'made in usa' which came about around 1923.
I have one that is 3866xx that letters as Nov.12,1923.
It has the rebated backstrap & uses the Regulation Police type grip.
The older Bekeart extended targets will fit it though, as they cover the backstrap.
Be carefull with those grips (reg.police) as they are real fragile on the front of lower frame. Some guns have a nice radius while others have a more square front corner. Be carefull trying the grips on other guns.

As to value...I have seen them from $300 to $1200....depending on condition,grips,boxes,"Bekeartness" (older ones)
Compared to the post-WW2 pre-35 & 35's, these can be had for less, and to me, have more 'character'.
 
Pardon me for the dissenting view on this very nice gun's value.... Having purchased a couple of these in the past 3 years with the intention of reselling them, I can tell you that "collector interest" does not equal instant "collector's dollar".

I have a true Bekert from the middle of the origional shipment (2000 range) with the correct Bekert numbered grips and while a few fellas have said "nice...." while fondling it no one's broken thier wrists hauling out their wallet.

My price was considerably less than the above referenced number.

I enjoy these guns but there doesn't seem to be a line of well heeled buyers waiting for the chance to jump.

In all humble honesty I wouldn't offer more than $650 for the gun shown, regardless of what 'the book' says. I bought both of the ones I have now for well less than that....

Sorry for the wet blanket.

Drew Perez
SWCA 1802
 
Drew,

I agree with you completly. Bekearts (true and types) may NOT bring the big prices some expect. While the rebated frame 22/32 is an intersting varaition, I do not see it adding value.

Have been off line with computer problems. Using a friends computer today. Otherwise would have posted earlier.

Last week saw ad and exchanged e-mail with a seller who had an early 22/32 (sn 1638xxx that dates to 1912) It did NOT have numbered grips on it. Others in that range have grips numbered in the 1xxx range. He told me that ONLY TRHE FIRST 1000 HAD NUMBERED GRIPS (per blue book) - sent him link to another auction with showing grips numbered 1639 and mentioned seeing and handl1ng 1636xx with grips numbered 1615 (that one lettered to Phil Bekeart in 1912) and quoted SCSW with page number - nobody opened with a $595 bid ... even IF it had numbered grips probably would have passed because of conditon ...

Bekeart
 
Update -NEW INFORMATION.

There is a similar 22/32 on GB that has ZERO bids, after four days. Minimum bid is $400 for a 98% piece. Same grips - serial 360xxx - that price. The ZERO bids say more about the price than I could.

Know that we are NOT to post links to active auctions. Go to GB and search "smith 22/32" to take a look.

You will find another auction that has as starting bid of $5,499.00 - NO that is not a typo. NO COMMENT!

Bekeart
 

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