Just got the shipping date on this M53 no dash. 11-74. Now weren't these discontinued in 1974? Are all M53's a no dash?
This must be one of the last made unless it was held at the factory for some reason. Anyone have a higher number shipped in 1975? Thanks, Big Larry

Here is a letter from S&W that clarifies when the 53-2 model designation started. The gun is currently listed on GB.

I see. So none were marked dash 2, but after they went to a three screw, they are all -2's. I wonder why they did that? Most all other Smiths have a series of dash numbers stamped into them. Thanks, Big Larry

I have a 4k8xxxx serial numbered Jet and it is also marked Model 53 - no dash. It i really a 53-2. I have seen several Model 53's from the last production runs that are not marked with a -2.

Bob

Interesting.

Larry, is your jet a 3 screw? My understanding is that the Model 53 was a 4 screw gun made for about one year from 61-62 and the 53-2 was a three screw gun made from 62-74. Bob's comments would seem to explain your gun shipping in 74.

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Regards, Ty

Well I've got your younger sister! Exactly 200 numbers younger. By the way, it's a 3 screw, 8 3/8" with inserts and wood box. Wish I had a 22LR cylinder for it.

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SW53.jpg (99.8 KB, 17 views)

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Les Ramsey

Mr. Crabtree. Yes, it is a three screw. Buckoo, I wish I had a 22 LR cyl. as well, but I am not going to pay $500 for one. I can get a M17 for that. I am covered for long guns anyway. 8 3/8" M17 and M48. Got a M14 8 3/8" coming too. Thanks, Big Larry

Hey Larry
This only proves that S&W did not ship their guns in serial number order!

The blued one in the box is #4K83239 shipped 10/1975. It appears from the posts here that many 8 3/8" barrels were made in the end of this model.
jcelect SWCA#LM723

Here's a couple I'm proud of

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2 S&W Model 53's & accessories.jpg (82.8 KB, 19 views)

Again you have to remember that mfg. date and shipping date are two different animals when it comes to S&W. There are no dash 1 model 53's as the extractor had all ready been switched from right hand to left hand thread when the 53 went into production. The -2 engineering change is the elimination of the trigger guard screw and therefore all 53-2's should be three screws. It is understood that this change occured around 1962 and should affect all 53's produced from then until the gun was discontinued in 1974. Guns in the vault made prior to 1974 could still ship out for several years after that timeframe until inventory was exhausted and it is possible that they could be both 3 and 4 screw versions..

The other thing to remember about engineering changes is that they were not universal throughout the models.

On a model 10, the -2 means change the extractor thread from right to left. On the model 27, the -2 change refers to the cylinder stop change and elimination of the trigger guard screw.

This is what makes collecting S&W's so much fun!!!

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James Redfield
LM #497

Yes, it does get confusing at times. I know there were many parts for the M53's left over as I bought and had installed a few 22 cylinders and bbl.s from Mr. Jim Fish at the Florida repair station. I sent the parts to Mass. and had a couple nickeled and all three bbl. lengths cut to fit. TT's and TH's also added as were red ramp sights and WO rears. Wish I had those M53's back. Big Larry