Smith & Wesson S&W Model 53-2 8 3/8″ 22 Remington Jet .22 LR Revolver, 1973
Sold For: $1,350
LSB#: 200728BB26
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 53-2, The .22 Centerfire Magnum: The “Jet”
Serial Number: 4K48708
Year of Manufacture: 1973
Caliber: .22 Remington Jet
Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”. The sideplate has the large “S&W” logo. The right side of barrel is marked “22 MAGNUM”. The right side of the frame is marked with the four line Marcas Registradas address. The preceding marks have been filled with gold paint-fill. The yoke cut is marked with the serial and model numbers, the butt is marked with the serial number. The underside of the ejector is marked “K48708”. The yoke and sides of the grip frame have inspection marks.
Barrel Length: 8 3/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade with red plastic insert and a serrated ramped base pinned to the barrel’s rib. The rear sight is a white-outlined square-notch which is micrometer click adjustable in a base screwed to the topstrap. The rear sight base and barrel rib are serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece oversize checkered Goncalo Alves target stocks with Smith & Wesson medallions at their tops. The grips have only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, Polished Hammer and Trigger
Finish Originality: Remaining finish is Original, the hammer and trigger were polished outside the factory.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The cylinder, hammer and trigger have minor operational wear. There are a few scattered minor marks. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a switch in place of the standard firing pin, allowing the user to select whether it strikes the centerfire or rimfire frame-mounted firing pin. The cylinder lockup produces very little play side-to-side and none front-to-rear on each of the six chambers. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a wood Smith & Wesson Performance Center presentation case with blue foam-lined interior, fit for the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Schofield revolver and medallion. Six .22 LR chamber inserts and a key for the case are included. The case has scattered light storage wear on the exterior and wear from the contents on the interior, in about Very Good-plus condition as not original to the revolver.
Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson Model 53, “The Jet” is a really interesting offering from Smith & Wesson, one of only two guns ever produced in the .22 Remington Jet caliber. The model was also sold with chamber inserts allowing for the use of .22 Long Rifle for less expensive plinking. The revolver is manufactured with a “switch” on the hammer nose to select one of the dual frame mounted firing pins for either centerfire (.22 Jet) or rimfire. These guns were produced from 1961-1974 and have tremendous value for any serious Smith & Wesson collector. This example is a later production 53-2 made in 1973 with an 8 3/8″ barrel, which will allow for great precision. It is in Fine condition with minor wear and comes with a presentation case intended for another model, but which is suitable for this revolver. For the Smith collector, this could make a great addition but it would also be a fun revolver for velocity junkies who want a .22 Remington Jet handgun. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This Pistol CANNOT be sold as a dealer sale in California but CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley location. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
