Smith & Wesson S&W Model 53 .22 Remington Jet / .22LR 8 3/8″ Revolver C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,791.00
LSB#: LSB260621JF031
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 53 The .22 Centerfire Magnum “The Jet”
Serial Number: 4K83457
Year of Manufacture: 1974 / C&R (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson)
Caliber: .22 Remington Jet (Also fires .22 LR using the steel chamber inserts)
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 right side of the frame has S&W’s monogram logo and 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: 8 3/8″ Pinned, with solid, serrated rib.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a 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. The topstrap and rib are serrated and have a matte finish to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered target grips with S&W medallions at their tops and extractor relief. There are minor handling scratches and compression. The checkering is sharp with minor peak loss. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine 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. There is very minor fouling. This bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. The is minor finish wear at the muzzle. There are scattered handling scratches along the barrel. There is minor oxidation on the frame and trigger guard.There is a turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads are strong. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates a Very Good condition. Thought
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lock up produces minor play at each chamber. 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.
The barrel marking 22 Magnum refers to Smith & Wesson’s contemporary “.22 Centerfire Magnum” terminology for the .22 Jet, not .22 WMR. There is also a hammer-mounted firing-pin selector to select between rimfire and centerfire.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Serial matching S&W cardboard box with reinforced corners and 6x steel .22 LR inserts.
Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson Model 53 was introduced in 1961 as a highly specialized K-frame revolver built around the .22 Remington Jet, an unusual high-velocity centerfire cartridge developed jointly by Smith & Wesson and Remington from a .357 Magnum case necked down to .22 caliber. Marketed as the “.22 Centerfire Magnum,” the Model 53 incorporated one of Smith & Wesson’s most ingenious firing systems, using separate centerfire and rimfire firing pins selected by a switch in the hammer. Six chamber inserts allowed conventional .22 Long Rifle cartridges to be fired from the .22 Jet cylinder, while a dedicated .22 LR auxiliary cylinder was available as an option. The Model 53 was offered with 4″, 6″, and 8 3/8″ barrels, and the long-barreled version took particular advantage of the Jet’s impressive velocity and extended sight radius. Regular production ended in 1974 after fewer than 15,000 revolvers had been manufactured, making the Model 53 one of Smith & Wesson’s more distinctive and collectible postwar target and sporting revolvers.
This Model 53 remains a very attractive example, retaining approximately 96% of its original blue finish with minor muzzle wear, scattered handling scratches, localized oxidation, and a cylinder turn line. The checkered target stocks remain in Very Good-Fine condition with sharp checkering, minor handling wear, and no chips or cracks, while the bright 9.5/10 bore retains sharp rifling with no erosion. Mechanically, the revolver remains strong with tight lockup, only minor play at each chamber, a smooth double-action pull, and a crisp single-action release. Particularly desirable are the six steel .22 LR chamber inserts and serial-matching Smith & Wesson box, which preserve an important part of the Model 53’s unusual dual centerfire/rimfire capability. Combined with its desirable 8 3/8″ barrel and late production, this is an appealing example of one of Smith & Wesson’s most mechanically interesting K-frame revolvers. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY