Smith and Wesson 22/32 Bekeart Model

[daybreak10]

Hi Bought a Smith and Wesson 22/32, need
date it was made. It is marked 139000 with the
grips being stamped with a Number 692. I need
information on this model as I'm not familar
with it. It is probably 75% with blue loss from
being in holster. Thanks for any info on this
Piece

 

[daybreak10]

Hi Bought a Smith and Wesson 22/32, need
date it was made. It is marked 139000 with the
grips being stamped with a Number 692. I need
information on this model as I'm not familar
with it. It is probably 75% with blue loss from
being in holster. Thanks for any info on this
Piece

 

[Ernie]

Congratulations on obtaining a fine revolver.
This gun was named after San Francisco dealer Philip Bekeart who originally contracted S&W to manufacture this revolver.
My S&W reference book lists your gun as possibly falling into the "First Bekeart-pattern production run", serial numbers 138226 to 139275.

Hopefully some other more knowledgeable forum members can provide more info. It may be worth your trouble to write to S&W and obtain a letter ( $ 30 ) which would provide you with an exact date of shipment, as well as the guns's configuration as shipped.

 

[bmg60]

hi
you could have one of the first shipment that went to phil Bekeart there were 292 shipped to mr Bekeart in 1911. the only way to know is to get a factory letter.
I have one of the ones that was in the first shipment in 1911 to Mr. bekeart my serial number is 138539, my grip number is 294
the grip numbers don't run in order.
and Smith and wesson numbered grips up to about
3000. but only the first 292 in the first shipment are true bekeart the rest are just
considered to be 22/32 heavy target models.
jim fisher S&WCA member 1491

the Value of the revolver goes up if you have one from the first shipments.
all the ones from the first shipment had boxes
with labels that stated these were manufactured and for sale only by Phil Bekeart.

 

[bmg60]

hi
here is a picture of the correct box for a first model.

 

[daybreak10]

Thanks for the info. What is the value of these
S&W?

 

[bmg60]

hi
with only 75% condition my guess would be if it letters as a first shipment between 750.00 and 900.00 to a collector that wants one in the lower condition until he can find one better.
just a guess not being able to see the gun.
jim

 

[opoefc]

daybreak10, Jim's info and advice is right on the money. Your gun was probably shipped in July 1911, but to where is the $64 question. You have about a 1 in 4 chance that it went to Phil Bekeart, but if it did it is worth the money Jim estimates. Thanks to Jim for posting a picture of a .22/32 original box, which is 10+ times rarer than the guns and would bring as much money as the gun itself on eBay! Note the small print indicating the gun was made for Phil Bekeart. Bekeart was advertising his San Franciso store at the time as the "Pacific Coast Branch of Smith & Wesson!" which he had opened in the Kamm Bldg. on Market Street in 1906 when the San Francisco Fire & Earthquake destroyed his prior store. Ed.

 

[Goony]

Old thread, but just to settle it, serial #139000 did not ship to Bekeart.

Edit: Have now seen a later post in which the serial number for this gun is given at 139006. Still a no-go, however.