This is an advance look at a yet-to-be-published article. As always, comments welcome.
John
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This unusual revolver from Smith & Wesson was an innovative solution to being able to fire both rimfire and centerfire cartridges from the same gun. The story of how it came to be and why it’s no longer made is an interesting one.
The concept of a revolver that could fire a centerfire .22 caliber cartridge began in the mid-1950s when avid handloader and experimenter Jim Harvey modified .22 Hornet rifle cases by shortening and chamber-forming them to a configuration suitable for use in revolvers. He chambered some S&W Model 17 .22 LR target revolvers for this wildcat cartridge, which he called the .224 Harvey Kay Chuck. In the process, he made an offset centerfire firing pin and re-drilled the recoil shield for a new nose bushing. Don Cassavant, an industrial arts metal shop teacher and custom gunsmith, assisted him in this. Harvey’s conversions were crafted at Lakeville Arms (in Lakeville Connecticut) and became popular enough that he soon had a thriving business doing it. Harvey later engaged Bennett Gun Works to do this work. They roll-stamped the barrels on their guns “Harvey .224 Kay-Chuck.” The round was widely known as the “.22 Harvey K-Chuck” and became a very popular wildcat cartridge. Standardized reloading dies were widely available.
Smith & Wesson took notice of Harvey’s pioneer work but never officially sanctioned these conversions for their revolvers. They did experiment with some prototype guns chambered for the then-new .256 Winchester cartridge, a .25 caliber bottlenecked .357 Magnum creation. However, the folks at S&W found out that this combination was unworkable because of case setback in the chambers locking up the cylinder tight to the recoil shield when the round was fired. The .256 cartridge did go on to find a home in the Ruger Hawkeye single shot pistols and the Marlin M62 Levermatic rifles.
Remington offered S&W another option, which was called the .22 Remington Jet. This was the .357 Magnum case gradually tapered down to .22 caliber rather than being sharply bottlenecked. This number proved to be more satisfactory in experimentation with revolvers that were rechambered and modified from .22 magnum rimfire guns. The ballistics results were very gratifying, showing a 40-grain bullet claimed to be moving out of an 8 3/8” barrel at an impressive 2,460 feet per second. Actual velocities might be somewhat less speedy, but still pretty darn fast. S&W subsequently decided to chamber this round in a new revolver. The Model 53 .22 Centerfire Magnum was introduced on March 20, 1961. Production started with the first gun bearing the serial number K429,000. It used the .357 Magnum Model 19 K-frame that utilized a shrouded ejector rod. The cylinders were fluted and counterbored (recessed) for the cartridge rims.
The new revolver was sold with six nickel-wash-coated steel adapter inserts chambered for the .22 long rifle cartridge. Later inserts had fingernail cuts in their rims to allow easier removal of .22 rimfire rounds or cases from them. It must be understood that these inserts should not be re-chambered for .22 rimfire magnums, as bulging and splitting could result. The adapters could be inserted into the chambers instead of the centerfire rounds, making the gun suitable for firing either .22 Jets or .22 LR rimfires. The gun featured a hammer that had a “switch,” adjustable to strike either of the two firing pins in the frame. The upper firing pin was designed for rimfire .22s, while the lower one was for the centerfire rounds. As an option, the gun could be shipped with an auxiliary cylinder chambered for .22 LR only. This somewhat longer cylinder is not interchangeable with those designed for the Models 17, 18 or 48. With some guns, the serial numbers were marked on both cylinders. The cardboard factory box had cutouts in the base section for the gun, the inserts, and the extra cylinder if it was ordered that way. Although a few of these revolvers were shipped with nickel finishes, almost all were provided with a standard blue finish, with straight, non-tapered barrel lengths of 4”, 6” or 8 3/8”. Five-inch barreled guns are sometimes found, but they usually turn out to be factory-cut six-inchers for special orders. All barrels were secured from twisting in the frame with a transverse pin running though the frame and the upper part of the barrel. The barrels were ribbed, and the front and back grip frames were serrated. Red ramp front sights and white outline rear sights were available, as were wider target triggers and hammers. Adjustable trigger overtravel stops were standard. All barrels were marked “22 MAGNUM”, which could be confusing on first examination – it doesn’t mean .22 rimfire magnum, a whole ‘nother deal. The 6” barreled guns weighed 40 ounces. The larger target stocks were made of walnut or rosewood, either checkered or smooth. A tapered cotton cleaning swab for the Jet cylinder’s unusual chambers was supplied with earlier guns.
As a minor point, at the time of its initial shipping, the Model 53 already had the newer left-hand threaded extractor rod, while most other K-frame guns were transitioning to that type. When the first production change was made in December, 1961 using a new cylinder stop and eliminating the screw in front of the trigger guard, it was called the Model 53-2 rather than the 53-1, keeping it in step with other S&W revolvers. There never was a Model 53-1.
However, all was not roses for this new gun. It turned out that unless the chambers were kept scrupulously free of oil and dry, the cases could and would set back in the chambers on firing, locking up the cylinder against the recoil shield. Accordingly, the factory had to publish an instruction sheet which explained that the cylinder chambers had to be cleaned thoroughly with a suitable type of solvent to eliminate any trace of oil in them preparatory to firing. As can be readily understood, this is something up with which the owners really didn’t wish to put! The problem continued through 1974, and after 14,956 Model 53s had been made, production was halted and they were dropped from the catalog. The last known Model 53 was shipped on February 14, 1979. Its serial number was thought to be 4K83571, and it sported an 8 3/8” barrel. Subsequently, in the 1989-1990 time period, Remington discontinued the manufacture of .22 Jet ammunition, making it a prime reloading proposition today. Correct bullet diameter for the Jet is .222”. Commercial bullets are relatively hard to find in this diameter, but .223” will work and 224” bullets can be swaged. Some Privi Partisan (PPU) factory ammo has been imported from Serbia in this caliber recently. It sells out quickly where found, and prices vary widely. I am also aware of some newly made cases being spottily available. To meet demand, some good reproduction .22 LR inserts have been made by Numrich Gun Parts Corporation and gunsmith Hamilton Bowen. By the way, this gun is determined by the government to be curio and relic eligible for shipment to authorized individuals.
Firing the Model 53 with Jet cartridges is an experience. Be sure to use good ear protection equipment, because this baby is really loud. You should also expect a huge fireball that will effectively light up any indoor range. Be double darn sure that you do not get any part of your hands near the barrel-cylinder gap. The gas, powder particles and flame spitting from that junction will be vicious. The Jet ammo can be relatively hard on barrels, and the life expectancy for them may be somewhat shorter than for many more traditional rounds. Particularly troublesome can be flame cutting of the forcing cone on the barrel when many high velocity rounds have been fired. Loading to less velocity will certainly help. Like any good S&W revolver of that era, it’s accurate enough for its intended purpose, which in this case is for small game at up to 100 yards or so. Recoil is quite manageable, on a par with similar guns using .38 special +P ammo. If you want to fire it regularly, stock up on cases and recognize that you will have to handload it in order to make shooting it anywhere near affordable. It’s a handsome gun, with all the quality exhibited by hand fitting and careful polishing and bluing that is generally so absent today.
Perversely in spite of all the problems mentioned, Model 53s and .22 Jet ammo are very actively sought after and prices for both the guns and the cartridges have escalated noticeably! Today, collectors view the Model 53 from two viewpoints. The first camp sees the gun as a fairly rare collectible, and seeks to find one in original condition with the box and all the accessories including the extra cylinder, six original inserts and papers. The second camp, and I count myself as in it, views the gun as unusually expensive and because matching ammo is so scarce, not really all that economical to shoot. One in good shape with all the goodies might just be a great investment, though. It sure qualifies as a classic!
(c) 2020 JLM
John
------------------------------------------------------------------
This unusual revolver from Smith & Wesson was an innovative solution to being able to fire both rimfire and centerfire cartridges from the same gun. The story of how it came to be and why it’s no longer made is an interesting one.
The concept of a revolver that could fire a centerfire .22 caliber cartridge began in the mid-1950s when avid handloader and experimenter Jim Harvey modified .22 Hornet rifle cases by shortening and chamber-forming them to a configuration suitable for use in revolvers. He chambered some S&W Model 17 .22 LR target revolvers for this wildcat cartridge, which he called the .224 Harvey Kay Chuck. In the process, he made an offset centerfire firing pin and re-drilled the recoil shield for a new nose bushing. Don Cassavant, an industrial arts metal shop teacher and custom gunsmith, assisted him in this. Harvey’s conversions were crafted at Lakeville Arms (in Lakeville Connecticut) and became popular enough that he soon had a thriving business doing it. Harvey later engaged Bennett Gun Works to do this work. They roll-stamped the barrels on their guns “Harvey .224 Kay-Chuck.” The round was widely known as the “.22 Harvey K-Chuck” and became a very popular wildcat cartridge. Standardized reloading dies were widely available.
Smith & Wesson took notice of Harvey’s pioneer work but never officially sanctioned these conversions for their revolvers. They did experiment with some prototype guns chambered for the then-new .256 Winchester cartridge, a .25 caliber bottlenecked .357 Magnum creation. However, the folks at S&W found out that this combination was unworkable because of case setback in the chambers locking up the cylinder tight to the recoil shield when the round was fired. The .256 cartridge did go on to find a home in the Ruger Hawkeye single shot pistols and the Marlin M62 Levermatic rifles.
Remington offered S&W another option, which was called the .22 Remington Jet. This was the .357 Magnum case gradually tapered down to .22 caliber rather than being sharply bottlenecked. This number proved to be more satisfactory in experimentation with revolvers that were rechambered and modified from .22 magnum rimfire guns. The ballistics results were very gratifying, showing a 40-grain bullet claimed to be moving out of an 8 3/8” barrel at an impressive 2,460 feet per second. Actual velocities might be somewhat less speedy, but still pretty darn fast. S&W subsequently decided to chamber this round in a new revolver. The Model 53 .22 Centerfire Magnum was introduced on March 20, 1961. Production started with the first gun bearing the serial number K429,000. It used the .357 Magnum Model 19 K-frame that utilized a shrouded ejector rod. The cylinders were fluted and counterbored (recessed) for the cartridge rims.
The new revolver was sold with six nickel-wash-coated steel adapter inserts chambered for the .22 long rifle cartridge. Later inserts had fingernail cuts in their rims to allow easier removal of .22 rimfire rounds or cases from them. It must be understood that these inserts should not be re-chambered for .22 rimfire magnums, as bulging and splitting could result. The adapters could be inserted into the chambers instead of the centerfire rounds, making the gun suitable for firing either .22 Jets or .22 LR rimfires. The gun featured a hammer that had a “switch,” adjustable to strike either of the two firing pins in the frame. The upper firing pin was designed for rimfire .22s, while the lower one was for the centerfire rounds. As an option, the gun could be shipped with an auxiliary cylinder chambered for .22 LR only. This somewhat longer cylinder is not interchangeable with those designed for the Models 17, 18 or 48. With some guns, the serial numbers were marked on both cylinders. The cardboard factory box had cutouts in the base section for the gun, the inserts, and the extra cylinder if it was ordered that way. Although a few of these revolvers were shipped with nickel finishes, almost all were provided with a standard blue finish, with straight, non-tapered barrel lengths of 4”, 6” or 8 3/8”. Five-inch barreled guns are sometimes found, but they usually turn out to be factory-cut six-inchers for special orders. All barrels were secured from twisting in the frame with a transverse pin running though the frame and the upper part of the barrel. The barrels were ribbed, and the front and back grip frames were serrated. Red ramp front sights and white outline rear sights were available, as were wider target triggers and hammers. Adjustable trigger overtravel stops were standard. All barrels were marked “22 MAGNUM”, which could be confusing on first examination – it doesn’t mean .22 rimfire magnum, a whole ‘nother deal. The 6” barreled guns weighed 40 ounces. The larger target stocks were made of walnut or rosewood, either checkered or smooth. A tapered cotton cleaning swab for the Jet cylinder’s unusual chambers was supplied with earlier guns.
As a minor point, at the time of its initial shipping, the Model 53 already had the newer left-hand threaded extractor rod, while most other K-frame guns were transitioning to that type. When the first production change was made in December, 1961 using a new cylinder stop and eliminating the screw in front of the trigger guard, it was called the Model 53-2 rather than the 53-1, keeping it in step with other S&W revolvers. There never was a Model 53-1.
However, all was not roses for this new gun. It turned out that unless the chambers were kept scrupulously free of oil and dry, the cases could and would set back in the chambers on firing, locking up the cylinder against the recoil shield. Accordingly, the factory had to publish an instruction sheet which explained that the cylinder chambers had to be cleaned thoroughly with a suitable type of solvent to eliminate any trace of oil in them preparatory to firing. As can be readily understood, this is something up with which the owners really didn’t wish to put! The problem continued through 1974, and after 14,956 Model 53s had been made, production was halted and they were dropped from the catalog. The last known Model 53 was shipped on February 14, 1979. Its serial number was thought to be 4K83571, and it sported an 8 3/8” barrel. Subsequently, in the 1989-1990 time period, Remington discontinued the manufacture of .22 Jet ammunition, making it a prime reloading proposition today. Correct bullet diameter for the Jet is .222”. Commercial bullets are relatively hard to find in this diameter, but .223” will work and 224” bullets can be swaged. Some Privi Partisan (PPU) factory ammo has been imported from Serbia in this caliber recently. It sells out quickly where found, and prices vary widely. I am also aware of some newly made cases being spottily available. To meet demand, some good reproduction .22 LR inserts have been made by Numrich Gun Parts Corporation and gunsmith Hamilton Bowen. By the way, this gun is determined by the government to be curio and relic eligible for shipment to authorized individuals.
Firing the Model 53 with Jet cartridges is an experience. Be sure to use good ear protection equipment, because this baby is really loud. You should also expect a huge fireball that will effectively light up any indoor range. Be double darn sure that you do not get any part of your hands near the barrel-cylinder gap. The gas, powder particles and flame spitting from that junction will be vicious. The Jet ammo can be relatively hard on barrels, and the life expectancy for them may be somewhat shorter than for many more traditional rounds. Particularly troublesome can be flame cutting of the forcing cone on the barrel when many high velocity rounds have been fired. Loading to less velocity will certainly help. Like any good S&W revolver of that era, it’s accurate enough for its intended purpose, which in this case is for small game at up to 100 yards or so. Recoil is quite manageable, on a par with similar guns using .38 special +P ammo. If you want to fire it regularly, stock up on cases and recognize that you will have to handload it in order to make shooting it anywhere near affordable. It’s a handsome gun, with all the quality exhibited by hand fitting and careful polishing and bluing that is generally so absent today.
Perversely in spite of all the problems mentioned, Model 53s and .22 Jet ammo are very actively sought after and prices for both the guns and the cartridges have escalated noticeably! Today, collectors view the Model 53 from two viewpoints. The first camp sees the gun as a fairly rare collectible, and seeks to find one in original condition with the box and all the accessories including the extra cylinder, six original inserts and papers. The second camp, and I count myself as in it, views the gun as unusually expensive and because matching ammo is so scarce, not really all that economical to shoot. One in good shape with all the goodies might just be a great investment, though. It sure qualifies as a classic!
(c) 2020 JLM
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