Got My Model 53 Letter

Vettepartz

Vettepartz

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I hope I am in the right category here, As my Model 53 "Jet" is a 4-screw, but was shipped in January 1962 according to the S&W letter.

The reason I sent for a letter is because I was curious if my handgun was one of those shipped with the optional 22LR cylinder. Since there was no mention in the letter about this optional cylinder, I am going to assume it did not ship with one.
 
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If the spare 22LR cylinder shipped with it I would think it would have the SN on it. The one with my 4 inch from the same timeframe does. I suppose S&W could have shipped it with the spare cylinder and not stamped the SN but as the letter doesn't mention one I think your assessment is correct. We still need pictures, and of the letter too please.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
OK - Here are some pictures. I wonder if any members out there have a factory letter that says their M53 was shipped with the extra cylinder.
 

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Nice, they're very fun guns and prices have been climbing quite a bit the past year or two. My 4 inch is K474212 and shipped in 1964; the package is the box, extra cylinder, inserts, and 4 inch gun; the box and 22LR cylinder are numbered to the gun. But, I haven't requested a letter. I seem to remember seeing other letters that did mention the extra cylinders.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
Here is my gun K441135 that shipped May 21,1961. Like yours, it is a 4-screw.
My letter does not mention an extra cylinder. Says there were five guns all in the same configuration. Also mentions an early production run, guess because it was from 1961.
My opinion based on nothing is that if the gun came with the extra cylinder it would be mentioned in the letter.

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Vettepartz said:
I wonder if any members out there have a factory letter that says their M53 was shipped with the extra cylinder.
Click to expand...
My only example is still on my list of guns to be lettered, as it patiently awaits its turn at the desks of Don and Mike while they feverishly work through the number of requests I've already sent...:eek:...Ben
 
A question along the same lines. My gun K474264 has the correct numbered 22 LR cylinder that came with it but it was missing the Jet cylinder so I found a nice one eBay but it is not numbered. Were the original Jet cylinders numbered to the gun?
 
I have been watching those on several online auction sites. They come in the S&W box with space (a cut out in the cardboard) for the extra cylinder but the extra cylinder does not come with every revolver. Inserts do.
 
My gun K441135 does not have serial on the cylinder, but does have it on the back of the extractor star. I suspect the others will also.
 
My K444444, is unmarked except the extractor. Yes, I bought it for the serial number, and it has no 22 lr. cylinder. Big Larry
 

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My 53 #445450 with six inch barrel did not come with extra cylinder I ordered extra cylinder from factory. I think price was 17.50. I bought gun and xtra cylinder new. john
I had to send gun to S&W to have cylinder fitted. S&W marked seial number on extra cylinder.
 
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I sent one in years ago. It was a 6". Had 4" and 8 3/8" bbls. fitted to it, had a 22 cyl. fitted to it., Target hammer and trigger, red ramps on all 3 bbls. and had it nickel plated. Then traded it for a Springfield M2 .22 rifle. DUH !!! Big Larry
 
I bought a boxed M53 with six-inch barrel about a dozen years ago; it came with an unnumbered .22 LR cylinder. The letter indicates that the gun shipped without the auxiliary cylinder, so a prior owner must have acquired it separately.

Deets: K474491, shipped 31 May 1963 to San Diego.

I later picked up a separate 8 3/8" barrel for it, but a high quality 4" barrel has never been available when I was looking.

The numbered /unnumbered cylinder question is addressed a few times in this old thread: https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-r...-mod-53-22lr-cylinder.html?highlight=Model+53
 
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Mikebiker said:
A question along the same lines. My gun K474264 has the correct numbered 22 LR cylinder that came with it but it was missing the Jet cylinder so I found a nice one eBay but it is not numbered. Were the original Jet cylinders numbered to the gun?
Click to expand...

To add to my earlier post, my Model 53 is a 1st year gun and letters as shipped with the auxiliary cylinder. My aux cylinder face is not serialized, the rear of its extractor is serialized. K445945 - shipped to Baker & Hamilton in San Francisco.
 
DCWilson said:
Deets: K373391, shipped 31 May 1963 to San Diego.

The numbered /unnumbered cylinder question is addressed a few times in this old thread: https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-r...-mod-53-22lr-cylinder.html?highlight=Model+53
Click to expand...

DCWilson, please check your serial number? The information I have is that production started in Mar of 1961 @ #429000

bullmack, your first year gun was probably one of the last ones shipped in 1961. The first year production was for 8494 guns.
jcelect
 
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