Is it a Bekaert or not?

[Trader #1]

I have a revolver three gun shops (includung BassPro) that tell me my S&W 22 serial # 428017 is a rare Brekaert, while one person says it in not collectible.
There is no serial number on the wooden grip. The only serial number is behind the trigger on the frame.
How do I really know if it is authentic?

I have tried to research by the serial number but just get down the internet rabbit hole that leads me no where.

The closest I get is it is " 4th and last class, also least valuable or desirable, is any 22/32 Heavy Frame Target from later pre-war production runs that 'letter' as being shipped to Bekeart Sporting goods in S.F. Again there is no official serial number list for this class." But there is no letter in the serial number.

The internet shows Bekaert pictures identical to my pistol except the serial # on the wooden grip.

 

[Kevin Wolfe]

How about a picture?
My LGS has one for $2000

 

[Trader #1]

 

[JP@AK]

You have a .22/32 Heavy Frame Target from the 1920s (approximately 1925). It is not a "true Bekeart." Generally speaking, collectors reserve that title for the original shipments to Phil Bekeart prior to the model being catalogued. However, some use looser definitions.

 

[Trader #1]

That's what I was looking for.
Thank you very much.

You have a .22/32 Heavy Frame Target from the 1920s (approximately 1925). It is not a "true Bekeart." Generally speaking, collectors reserve that title for the original shipments to Phil Bekeart prior to the model being catalogued. However, some use looser definitions.

 

[Trader #1]

Thank you for the information.

Clears up some things for me so I can sell it with the confidence of knowing someone doesn't think it is something it is not and coming back to me later with an issue.

 

[DWalt]

There are several flavors of Bekeart. As noted the highest value is attached to the earlier few that S&W shipped to his shop. A more complete discussion is to be found here. https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/bekaert-22-32-question.343598/

 

[cgt4570]

Based on the 'good book' Supica and Hahas Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 5th ed., and what I've bought and sold a few in similar condition to yours for, I would put is at close to +/- $500. If the bore is decent, it will be a great shooter!

 

[donadler]

#138802, listed as a First Bekeart-Pattern production run – When the Bekeart order was received, S&W made 1044 .22 cal. target sighted revolvers on the .32 frame with target extension grips, although this was not introduced as a cataloged model. The guns included in the First Bekeart Shipment were in this production run, but many of the others went to other dealers. These fall in the serial number range of 138226 to 139275 in the .32 HE serial number series.
SCSW 4th.

 

[ol777gunnerz]

Though not near the Bekeart range serial numbers, mine shipped in April 1919 with Regulation Police grips after they ran out of the target grips. Rarer still, it has an extremely rare A O Niedner Malden, Mass. stamp on the left frame, with a bobbed hammer & grooved trigger. It was returned to the factory in 1922 but no record exists of what work was done. At one time it was also owned by the old gunsmiths book author Michael Petrov.