1st Year of Production Smith & Wesson S&W Model 53 the Jet, the .22 Centerfire Magnum 6 Double Action Revolver, Inserts & Box, 1961 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,855.93
LSB#:
150420DG01
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: Model 53, the .22 Centerfire Magnum: The Jet
Serial Number: K444839
Year of Manufacture: 1961
Caliber: .22 Remington Jet, Adaptable to .22 Short, Long and Long Rifle
Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”. The yoke cut is marked “K444839 / MOD. 53”. The sideplate is marked with the S&W trade mark. The right side of the frame is marked with the four line Marcas Registradas address. The right side of the barrel is marked “22 MAGNUM”. The butt is marked “K444839”. The left side of the grip frame is marked “7332”.
Barrel Length: 6” Round Pinned Barrel with Ejector Rod Shroud and Full Length Top Rib
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade on a mount pinned to the top rib. The rear sight is an S&W micrometer click square notched leaf adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece over-sized checkered walnut target grips sport an S&W medallion on each panel, smooth diamond designs around each screw escutcheon and a speed loader indent on the left panel. Marks can be found on the bottom edges of both panels, the lower rear faces and the butts. Shallow marks are visible on the rear faces. The checkering shows mild signs of use. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. Only very light signs of use are present, with one small scratch visible on the sideplate. A speck of finish loss can be found at each locking slot and very light drag lines are apparent in the finish of the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the cylinder lockup is tight. Six nickel wash coated steel inserts are provided which allow .22 Long Rifle rounds to be loaded in the .22 Remington Jet cylinder. The inserts are in Excellent condition and feature the cutout around the edge to aid in extracting the spent rounds from the insert. The hammer is outfitted with a switch which selects either the centerfire or rimfire firing pin. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The revolver is housed in a two piece Smith & Wesson box with silver lettering. The lid sports an S&W logo and “Smith & Wesson, Inc. / Springfield, Mass”. The left end displays silver lettering which reflects the model, finish, caliber and barrel length of the revolver and the serial number is written in grease pencil on the bottom. The box is equipped with cardboard cutouts for the pistol and an unbroken cutout for an optional .22 long rifle cylinder. Cutouts for the six .22 Long Rifle inserts are cut into the box with six inserts present as described above in Mechanics. Oil stains are evident on the lid and mild to moderate fraying can be found on the edges and corners. The box is in Good condition. A plastic bag with cleaning tools is present in Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson Model 53 was introduced in 1961 and chambered for the .22 Remington Jet. This revolver is also adaptable to .22 Long Rifle utilizing nickel wash coated steel insets which fit into the chambers of the cylinder. The hammer is outfitted with a switch which selects either the centerfire or rimfire firing pin. The revolver is built on the S&W K target frame and is equipped with oversize target grips. This unusual revolver is in Excellent condition, retaining about 98% of its metal finish and is housed in a Smith & Wesson two piece blue box. Fewer than 15,000 of these revolvers were manufactured. This first year of production Model 53 is a fabulous collectors’ piece.

1st Year of Production Smith & Wesson S&W Model 53 the Jet, the .22 Centerfire Magnum 6 Double Action Revolver, Inserts & Box, 1961 C&R
1st Year of Production Smith & Wesson S&W Model 53 the Jet, the .22 Centerfire Magnum 6 Double Action Revolver, Inserts & Box, 1961 C&R