Desirable S&W .22/.32 Heavy Frame Target (Bekeart Model) 1st Production Run

Serial #138734, .22 LR, 6" barrel with a very good bore that has some mild freckling within the grooves towards the muzzle. This is one of the first 1,044 revolvers made on the suggestion of prominent San Francisco gun dealer, Phil Bekeart, and has matching numbers on the frame, barrel, cylinder, extractor, and yoke. The metal retains about 70-75% of the original blue finish, with silvering along the high edges and projections, and most of the loss occurring along the barrel and on the cylinder. Some spots of mild freckling are scattered about the surface metal, and there is a moderate turn-ring on the rear of the cylinder. A commensurate amount of original color case-hardening is present on the hammer and trigger with bright gray on the balance, and the original Paine front and adjustable rear sights are in fine shape. The original double-screw target grips are correctly numbered "524" on the butt of the left panel, indicating gun number 524 in the production series. The grips have light wear and flattening of the points on either side, with dull S&W medallions, and some minor handling marks around the butt. The lock-up is tight, and the action functions flawlessly in both single and double-action. This is a very good example of a very desirable .22 Hand Ejector. FFL or C&R