I'm 71 my grandfather died in 1959.He left me a 22cal 32-22 Bekeart (I believe).Its missing the rear sight.Took by a local gun shop with a knowledgable owner.He said it was a Bekeart made in the early 20's.The serial #220150. Never reblued and in good condition.Is the gun shop owner right and what would it be worth ? Thank Jim
Identifing a revoler
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Welcome to the Forum Jim. You are talking about what is properly named a 22/32 Heavy Frame Target revolver. That serial number would have shipped around 1915. The moniker "Bekeart" is not really proper for your gun, since there were a specific number of these revolvers sold directly to Phil Bekeart in San Francisco. Bekeart was responsible for originally requesting the company build this model. The only true Bekearts number around 1000 guns and are spread out in the serial number range from 1 to 3000. There is a second tier that was not in the original order with numbered stocks, were later batches shipped to Bekeart.
Condition is dependent on originality and percent original finish remaining. If pristine, they can go for over $1000, but just a few percentage points lower drop to the high hundreds, and go lower from there. The only good way to give you an educated guess is to post some detailed photos. Nice to have your grandfather's gun.
Forgot the rear sight issue. Are you referring to the whole assembly or just the blade? If it is just the blade, you can find someone who owns another gun like yours and make a replacement sight blade. The entire rear sight assembly will be much tougher to find, since parts for these guns have long since disappeared.
Condition is dependent on originality and percent original finish remaining. If pristine, they can go for over $1000, but just a few percentage points lower drop to the high hundreds, and go lower from there. The only good way to give you an educated guess is to post some detailed photos. Nice to have your grandfather's gun.
Forgot the rear sight issue. Are you referring to the whole assembly or just the blade? If it is just the blade, you can find someone who owns another gun like yours and make a replacement sight blade. The entire rear sight assembly will be much tougher to find, since parts for these guns have long since disappeared.
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22-32
Gary, The frame seems small,mike throught maybe a I or J frame.I'm a computer dumby I'll try to get my daughter to help me post a picture.A new question,I got my dad(WWII artillery officer at the battle of the bulge 8 inch holitzers) a 32-22 when I was stationed at Fort Sill.The gun is in 9/10 condition hardly fired,original box.My dad replaced the original grips with a little larger walnut target like grips(nicer then original) I still looking for original.Serial#104412 Model 35-1 6inch barrel like new.I got a guy wanting to give me $600.00 for it.Is that a good price? thanks Jim
Gary, The frame seems small,mike throught maybe a I or J frame.I'm a computer dumby I'll try to get my daughter to help me post a picture.A new question,I got my dad(WWII artillery officer at the battle of the bulge 8 inch holitzers) a 32-22 when I was stationed at Fort Sill.The gun is in 9/10 condition hardly fired,original box.My dad replaced the original grips with a little larger walnut target like grips(nicer then original) I still looking for original.Serial#104412 Model 35-1 6inch barrel like new.I got a guy wanting to give me $600.00 for it.Is that a good price? thanks Jim
You have a .22/32 which is a .22 cal chambering in a 32 caliber frame, known as the 'I' frame. I agree on 1915 production and shipping.
It could be a Bekeart, but of the 3rd or 4th class:
The four basic classifications of Bekeart Models in order of their collectability and value are summarized below from the SCS&W, 3rd edition and other sources:
In April 25, 1911 an order for the 1st production run of 1050 serial #s, of the Model 1911 Bekeart models began in the serial range of # 138226 thru # 139275, completed on July 10, 1911. Only 1044 revolvers were actually completed/shipped and their grips were #’d 1 - 1044. The 1st 3000 guns were numbered 1 to 3000 on the butt of the left stock in the order that they were produced.
1st classification, the "True" Bekearts, the “Model 1911 22/32 Bekeart HFTs” are the 294 (lately revised from 292 by Roy Jinks) from that original production run on the known serial number list within the above serial range that were actually shipped to Bekeart.
2nd class of Bekearts are the remainder of the guns in that 1044 production run and serial range that went to other dealers.
3rd class of Bekearts is the remainder with grip numbers from #1045 to #3000, shipped to Bekeart or not, after which grip #s were discontinued, but there is no official factory 'list' of serial numbers for this class, albeit there are accumulated partial lists from lettered guns; the grip number and with grip serial number matching the gun, being sufficient to identify them along with a factory letter.
4th and last class, although least valuable or desirable, is any “22/32 Heavy Frame Target” from after the 1st production run that 'letters' as being shipped to Bekeart Sporting goods in S.F., since there is no official serial number list for this class.
Phil Bekeart, a San Francisco gun dealer, is credited with the concept of a larger (than the existing 7 shot .22 Long ‘M’ frame) .22 LR target revolver built on the I frame 1st called the “Model 1911 Bekeart Model, 22/32 HFT”. He agreed to order 1000 of the new model if S&W would produce it. When Smith added this model to regular production c.1915 it was given the model name of “22/32 Heavy Frame Target”, because relative to the tiny M frame Ladysmith, the only other Smith .22 at the time, it was a heavier frame. Changed to “22/32 Target” in ~ 1930 when the K22, a heavier, K frame .22 was introduced.
The original Bekeart models are highly sought after, and categorized in four levels of collectibility.
Unfortunately, many under informed sellers tend to lump all .22/32 HFTs with the true 'Bekeart’ Models, but they do not all share the same rarity/collectability, and each of the four recognized Bekeart classes vary substantially in value even in like condition.
It could be a Bekeart, but of the 3rd or 4th class:
The four basic classifications of Bekeart Models in order of their collectability and value are summarized below from the SCS&W, 3rd edition and other sources:
In April 25, 1911 an order for the 1st production run of 1050 serial #s, of the Model 1911 Bekeart models began in the serial range of # 138226 thru # 139275, completed on July 10, 1911. Only 1044 revolvers were actually completed/shipped and their grips were #’d 1 - 1044. The 1st 3000 guns were numbered 1 to 3000 on the butt of the left stock in the order that they were produced.
1st classification, the "True" Bekearts, the “Model 1911 22/32 Bekeart HFTs” are the 294 (lately revised from 292 by Roy Jinks) from that original production run on the known serial number list within the above serial range that were actually shipped to Bekeart.
2nd class of Bekearts are the remainder of the guns in that 1044 production run and serial range that went to other dealers.
3rd class of Bekearts is the remainder with grip numbers from #1045 to #3000, shipped to Bekeart or not, after which grip #s were discontinued, but there is no official factory 'list' of serial numbers for this class, albeit there are accumulated partial lists from lettered guns; the grip number and with grip serial number matching the gun, being sufficient to identify them along with a factory letter.
4th and last class, although least valuable or desirable, is any “22/32 Heavy Frame Target” from after the 1st production run that 'letters' as being shipped to Bekeart Sporting goods in S.F., since there is no official serial number list for this class.
Phil Bekeart, a San Francisco gun dealer, is credited with the concept of a larger (than the existing 7 shot .22 Long ‘M’ frame) .22 LR target revolver built on the I frame 1st called the “Model 1911 Bekeart Model, 22/32 HFT”. He agreed to order 1000 of the new model if S&W would produce it. When Smith added this model to regular production c.1915 it was given the model name of “22/32 Heavy Frame Target”, because relative to the tiny M frame Ladysmith, the only other Smith .22 at the time, it was a heavier frame. Changed to “22/32 Target” in ~ 1930 when the K22, a heavier, K frame .22 was introduced.
The original Bekeart models are highly sought after, and categorized in four levels of collectibility.
Unfortunately, many under informed sellers tend to lump all .22/32 HFTs with the true 'Bekeart’ Models, but they do not all share the same rarity/collectability, and each of the four recognized Bekeart classes vary substantially in value even in like condition.
nicky4968
Member
I'm not the most knowledgeable, but I would not let a 35-1 go for $600.
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