Greetings all,

I recently picked up this minty, Model 53, K474xxx, which should date it in 1962. It's the cleanest and highest condition complete Model 53 package that I've ever seen in person. The box numbers, both cylinders fit perfectly, the grips don't have a mark on them, the bluing is wonderful, and the nickel-washed cylinder inserts appear to be unused.

I've always liked the Model 53 revolvers and when I found this one, I just couldn't help myself. Life is good!

I hope you enjoy!














Best,

Michael

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N-Frame-itis THERE IS NO CURE!

Greetings all,

I recently picked up this minty, Model 53, K474xxx, which should date it in 1962. It's the cleanest and highest condition complete Model 53 package that I've ever seen in person. The box numbers, both cylinders fit perfectly, the grips don't have a mark on them, the bluing is wonderful, and the nickel-washed cylinder inserts appear to be unused.

I've always liked the Model 53 revolvers and when I found this one, I just couldn't help myself. Life is good!

I hope you enjoy!














Best,

Michael

__________________
N-Frame-itis THERE IS NO CURE!

Very nice, notice you're in SoCal. Did you get it local or were you able to bring it in from out of state as a C & R?

That is very, very nice. It looks like it was pulled out of a time capsule. I can't believe the condition of the box, much less the gun. Sweet acquisition.

bob

WOW, That gun looks very nice!! What a great find in that condition with all the goodies. I love seeing mint old guns, I would buy every one of them if I ever hit the lottery

Michael,

I know what you mean....
my 6" looks as pristine as yours, but no cylinder.....



my 4" has the cylinder and no box....



Both are MINT!!!!!!

Terry

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

Michael, Maybe it doesn't work and that's why it looks unused. Bring it over & I'll test it out on the way to the Yuma Gun show this weekend. I hope you secured the right to return it, if I find out it won't shoot! On the other hand, it's probably worth the $300 you paid, - I can sell the inserts and the box for that, for you. Your Pal, Ed.

That there is just plain PurDy!!!

When I got my first Model 53 a couple of Years ago it was NIB but had the longer 8-3/8" barrel. The comment from my Bride was "That's just too pretty to take out of the box!!!"

One of these fine fair days I'm going to get around to getting some loads made up for my "Shooters" and get back to enjoying the way they shoot!!!

What's the Deal with the extra spur on/near the firing pin on these, See Third Pic..
That M53 Looks MINTY..
Congrats!!
Gary/Hk

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

Got to take it out and shoot it now Michael! I shoot mine once a month! Its a blast!

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ken
SWCA #1959

The M53 was designed to shoot both centerfire and rimfire cartridges...the selector switch on the hammer selects the correct frame mounted firing pin..

Beautiful gun!!!

Bob

There was 3 of these at the last B'Ham show. The first time I had ever noticed them, after reading about them here on the forum. I think the least exspensive one was $900 and it was just the gun and inserts and not in near as good of shape. Your's is a BEAUTY!

That's really exceptional Michael. Congratulations!
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Michael,

That gun looks to be in perfect condition. You lucked out on finding it.

Your skill at taking pictures of your guns is still right up there too. Nice job!!

Michael,

That's just superb, a step back in time!

Question now is; Do you have the nads to shoot it? Or will it be a safe queen?

Enjoy!

Michael,


It's a safe queen for sure! Don't shoot it! The pictures are the best as usual. Really nice find.

S&W mania 1756

OUTSTANDING !

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Very nice Michael! That one set you back a few C-notes! Nice catch and wonderful photos.
Thanks for sharing.

Mike

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with this K frame.

I found it locally, but because I have my C&R and C.O.E., I was able to do the transfer and take it home the same day. Gee, must be how people in free states feel.

Best,

Michael

__________________
N-Frame-itis THERE IS NO CURE!

Thanks my friend, for now it will be a safe queen. I might, one day, put a few .22 Jets downrange. The gun has been fired, but very little, so I don't think that a few more would hurt its value. I've fired all kinds of various calibers, but the .22 Jet is one I've never experienced and would like to.

We'll see... but for now, I'm just happy to put it up on the mantle and look at it. As you stated, it's like stepping back in time.

Best,

Michael

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N-Frame-itis THERE IS NO CURE!

Be sure and wear ear muffs. I have one and I dont know anything with a sharper blast! Well, maybe a .256 win mag, there close.

I know I have way too many Jets, now total 13, there were more but I sold 3. Now there are 2 4 inch, and I have now shot all 3 barrel lengths.
The one in the front was a special order gun, it recently was lettered as being most likely the last model 53-2 that S&W Shipped. Shipped Feb.1979
Yes they quit making them in 1974. Must have been a very special order.



[img] [/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

Jim, great group! If you run out of room send me a couple. John

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John. SWCA #1586

That is a very impressive display!

Would you have a vintage box of .22 Jet that you might part with?

Best,

Michael

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N-Frame-itis THERE IS NO CURE!

Gotta love the Jet
Chuck

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SWCA1517 SWHF256
Rangers LTW!

Michael:

VERY NICE and great photos as usual!

I was at the Mesa gun show a couple of weeks ago and there were three boxes of Jet ammo between the several ammo collectors - they wanted $50 per box! Those fire-breathers are not for the faint of heart, or the thin of wallet!

Congrats!

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Michael,

Since I know we hit the same haunts, if you want to experience some .22 Jet we should try to arrange a range day, you can put a few through my well worn 53. I don't often lean toward not shooting a gun, but that package is too dang nice!

I guess I'll have to roll a couple boxes when I get back from Solvang.

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Non illegitimae carborundum

Mike,

Wow! This is why I love this forum so much! Thank you!

You just made my night!!!!!!

I'm recovering from some surgery I had on Monday, the 3rd. I'm hurting quite a bit, but dang, even though it's hard to type with one hand, I'm very happy to read your reply!

We've got to hook up and do that!

I'll gladly pay for your hand-rolled ammo, and if there's something in my herd you'd like to paw at or shoot, please let me know!

It will likely be a few months before I'm able to shoot, but I sure am looking forward to meeting up and shooting with you!

Hope we can hook up via email or phone soon.

Very best,

Michael

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N-Frame-itis THERE IS NO CURE!

If I owned that LNIB pre 53 jet, I would never shoot it, no way. Too many shooters out there to enjoy. Don't forget to keep the cylinders clean, I made my own tapered mop, out of a .38 special mop, it's not that hard to do, just a sharp pair of cuticle scissors, and you can get it fashioned close enough, I use alcohol,.
Also if you ever remove the cylinder from the frame be sure to buy that nice tool that clamps on the base of the ejector rod to loosen it.
Also Left Hand Threads. I will have to take a new group photo of the 13 on hand.

No wounder i can't find one in sweden.
You guys are sitting on every one

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Jamie wants big boom

I have exactly one problem with that M53.

It is too darn pretty to use!!

Heck, I would be wearing white gloves to even handle it. And I would stress over the best way to store the box to keep it looking like that.

That's like a museum gun. Take good care of it!

Gregg

Michael, that's gorgeous! Wow.

Very nice photography, as always.

Hope you are feeling better soon, too.

Another way to "build" a chamber mop. Buy a small supply of 38 special mops, or longer 357s if you can find them. Like a half dozen. The cleaning supply's guy at most gunshows will give you a discount if you buy that many and ask for a better price.

Take them home and chuck them in your drill press. Use a just sharpened chisel, or clamp a box cutter blade in your vise grips. Really tight. Then just use that sharp edge to cut the taper. You may screw one up until you learn the ropes.

Hint: find a tiny ziplock bag. Place the factory supplied mop in the bag with a note telling what it is. Place that ziplock inside a larger one that holds the inserts. Put both in the back of the safe and forget where it is. Never open that bag until you sell the gun, or your executor does.

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Dick Burg

Michael,

When I get back home I'll shoot you an email. Take your time healing up and we'll shoot when you are ready.

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Non illegitimae carborundum

The barrel was marked 22 Magnum.

What was each chamber built for? Wasn't there a 22 LR chamber only?

Thanks for the great pics.

TNRAT: In reading the thread I see not only you, but several others are a little confused.
First, the remington .22 jet is a necked down .357 to .22 caliber. NOT in no way the same as the .22 WMRF. It is a center fire cartrige. The hammer was convertable to shoot either centerfire or rimfire to shoot .22 lr.
The gun came with the inserts so you can stick .22lr in them, and in turn insert them in the chambers. Kind of a slow tedious task. Some of the guns came at extra price with two clyinders, a better idea. I seldom wear ear protection, but on these you need them. Here is my model 53. Shown with stag, but I have the originals. I dont have the extra clyinder in .22lr. Wish I did!

Thanks for posting this.

Nice gun.

Best,

Michael

__________________
N-Frame-itis THERE IS NO CURE!

mod 53 -cartucce.jpg

IMG_0408.jpg

IMG_0407.jpg

mod 53.jpgMost of us posted pics of the gun.... but nobody showed the original ammo.
This is my 53.... wearing the stocks of a K-22 Masterpiece I sold .... with the grips of my 53!!! Damn!

Attached Images

mod 53-5.jpg (48.7 KB, 29 views)

Here's my jet , 1963 vintage, just like me.

I realize that the original thread started 7 years ago ( ! ) but for the benefit of some newer members or those who have never had a chance to handle a Model 53, here's a few pics of mine. It's an early one, production started in March 1961, this one shipped to the famed Evaluators Ltd. in Quantico VA in June '61.

Here is a close up up the hammer face, the switch at the top rocks back and forth to select which firing pin is used for the centerfire .22 Magnum or rimfire rounds, either in the chamber inserts or if you have the optional .22 LR extra cylinder

Here is what the breech face looks like, with the dual firing pins visible

Attached Images

	Model 53 With Box & Tools.jpg (142.3 KB, 20 views)
	Model 53 with Jet and .22 Ammo Collage pic.jpg (121.7 KB, 19 views)
	Model 53 Hammer Pic. 2.jpg (50.9 KB, 27 views)
	Model 53 Dual Firing Pins.jpg (62.8 KB, 23 views)

These are experimental plastic inserts for the Model 53. I've included a picture of the molds used to make them. These are all from my collection of Model 53 items.

Attached Images

	22 Jet plastic inserts pic 2.jpg (98.9 KB, 40 views)
	22 Jet insert tools pic 2.jpg (123.1 KB, 41 views)

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Don Mundell

Michael, good seeing you post again today in that thread about the rediscovered RM barrel!

I started browsing your older threads to look again at your terrific photos and stumbled across this one, which I don't recall seeing before. I instantly recognized the gun because it's the one I acquired from you several months or a year after your initial post above. I still have it, as well as some additional inserts, some documents, and a high-condition 8-3/8 barrel I picked up in case I ever wanted to tune the frame for different uses by switching barrels. I didn't find a decent four-inch barrel right away and eventually stopped looking; I ought to bring that quest back to life.

I fired a few .22 LRs using the inserts, but never any Jet rounds. The whole package still looks the way it does in your photos above.

Come to think, I still have all the revolvers you sold me. As you know I mostly target prewar items, but special quality postwar revolvers will occasionally catch my eye. The ones I picked up from you are still my favorites among the newer guns in the safe.

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David Wilson

In the spirit of keeping this thread alive. Here is my nickel Model 53. I carried this on duty from time to time.

Attached Images

Nickel Model 53.jpg (79.0 KB, 25 views)

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Don Mundell

This thread, "It's Alive".

Enjoy,
bdGreen