SAN FRANCISCO TRUE BEKEART Smith & Wesson .22/32 Hand Ejector Revolver C&R 1st CLASS – One of the 292 SHIPPED TO BEKEART in CA

Product Description

SAN FRANCISCO TRUE BEKEART Smith & Wesson .22/32 Hand Ejector Revolver  C&R

1st CLASS – One of the 292 SHIPPED TO BEKEART in CA

Here we present a C&R Smith & Wesson .22/32 Hand Ejector “True Bekeart” Double Action Revolver, made in 1911 in Springfield, Massachusetts. This is a very interesting model from a collector’s point of view. Phillip B. Bekeart, a San Francisco firearms dealer, requested that S&W manufacture a .22-caliber target-grade revolver on the heavier .32 frame. He believed in his idea so passionately that on April 25, 1911, he special ordered 1,050 guns for himself, though only 292 were actually shipped to Phil Bekeart. The order for the 1st production run of 1,050 “Bekeart Models” began in the serial range of serial # 138226 through serial # 139275, completed on July 10, 1911. Only 1,044 revolvers were actually completed / shipped and their grips were #’d 1 through 1044 on the bottom of the grip.

There are four official Class Identifications for Bekeart Models used by collectors; 1ST CLASS – “True” Bekeart Models are the 292 from that original production run within the above range that were actually shipped to Phil Bekeart; 2ND CLASS – the remainder of the guns in that production run and serial range that went to other dealers; 3RD CLASS – the remainder of the Bekearts with grip numbers from #1045 to #3000 after which grip #s were discontinued (there is no official factory ‘list’ of serial numbers for this class); 4TH CLASS – any 22/32 Heavy Frame Target from later runs that ‘letter’ as being shipped to Bekeart Sporting goods in San Francisco (there is no official serial number list for this class). The official name for the “Bekeart” is .22 Heavy Frame Target, (HFT). They were given that name to distinguish them from target .22s built on the diminutive “M” frame. Smith & Wesson added this model to regular production in 1915, it was then given the model name of 22/32 Heavy Frame Target.

The serial number of this gun is “138438” and is one of the 292 that was shipped to Phil Bekeart. There is a documented gun that was shipped to Phil Bekeart with a grip number of “274” and a serial number of “138539”, making this example without a doubt one of the “292” shipped to Bekeart.

The remainder of the extensive production run are simply .22-32 Hand Ejectors. These were chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge and sported a 6-shot fluted cylinder with 6″ barrel. The finish was blue with square a butt and checkered extension-type walnut grips. As mentioned, there were only 292 revolvers of his initial order delivered to Mr. Bekeart, but the first 1,000 pistols are considered to be true Bekearts. The production number of each respective pistol is stamped into the base of the extended wooden grips. S&W went on to manufacture several hundred thousand of these revolvers between 1911 and 1953.

The overall condition is near fine. Original finish. The action is excellent. The bore is in fine condition: bright with sharp rifling. The grips are solid. Numbers match. A great S&W!

This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.

Barrel is 6 inches.

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING. Will need to be sent to your local FFL or C&R licensee. This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

www.ancestryguns.com

$4200
#230848