Smith & Wesson S&W Model 53 .22 Remington Jet / .22LR 6″ Revolver 1961 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,450.00

LSB#:  LSB260430DB016

Make:  Smith & Wesson

Model:  53 The .22 Centerfire Magnum

Serial Number:  K445865

Year of Manufacture:  1961 / C&R

Caliber:  .22 Remington Jet (.22LR with sleeves in cylinders) 

Action Type:  6-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out, Fluted Cylinder Revolver.

Markings:  The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”, the right is marked “.22 Magnum”.  The left side of the frame has S&W’s monogram logo, the right has the four line Marcas Registradas.  The yoke cut is marked “MOD. 53” and with the serial number.  The yoke and sides of the grip frame have inspection marks.  The butt of the grip frame is marked with the serial number.

Barrel Length:  6″ Pinned, with solid, serrated rib.

Sights / Optics:  The front sight is a red-painted serrated ramp blade integral to a rise in the solid, serrated rib. The rear sight is a flat top, square notched leaf in a base that is micrometer-click adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition:  The refinished stocks are two-piece checkered Goncalo alves stocks with S&W medallions at their tops and extractor relief.  THe checkering is worn smooth in places.  There are faint compressions and handling marks throughout.  There are no chips or cracks.  Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish:  Blued

Finish Originality:  Original

Bore Condition:  The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp.  There is no erosion in the bore, though there is a bit of lead fouling.  This bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition:  This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish.  There is moderate handling wear in the form of light scratches throughout the finish.  There are some scattered draglines and scuffs.  There is a thin turn line on the cylinder.  The screwheads are lightly tooled.  The markings are clear.  Overall, this handgun rates a Very Good condition.

Mechanics:  The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces little side-to-side play. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action is crisp. 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:  Wooden display box, S&W screwdriver, 6 inserts for shooting 22LR in the .22 Remington Jet cylinder, .22 LR spare cylinder.

Our Assessment:  In 1961 Remington was contracted by Smith & Wesson to produce a new round that was similar to the 224 Harvey Kay-Chuck but was cheaper to mass produce.  They tapered the .357 Magnum cartridge down to .22 caliber.  The result was a handgun-hunting cartridge called the .22 Remington Jet.  

Smith & Wesson developed a handgun alongside the cartridge by modifying the K-Frame Model 17, and the Model 53 was born.

The Model 53 is chambered for the .22 Remington Jet, but it comes with a set of cylinder-inserts that will allow it to fire .22 Short, .22 Long, or .22 LR.  A dedicated .22LR replacement cylinder (included) was available for purchase at the time.  Notably, no other revolver was ever chambered for the .22 Remington Jet.

This particular Model 53 is in Very Good condition, with an excellent bore and the more collectable 4-screw construction.  It was built in 1961 — the first year of production.  It retains 90% of its blueing and represents a hard to find item (less than 15,000) were ever made.  Production ended in 1974.

Please see our photos.  -C.B.