4 Inch 4 Screw Model 53

[22hipower]

A couple days ago I posted pictures of a 29-1 which I was really pleased to acquire. I'm almost as happy to have gotten this Model 53 at the same time. The package seems to be original but thoughts on that are welcome. No tools/mop but there is no "slot" for them in the box so perhaps this one didn't ship with them? Read somewhere, maybe the Standard Catalog, that tools were optional at some point.

The box has the SN in grease pencil on the end but says it is for a six inch barrel gun. However, the box slot has two positions for the front sight; one for a six and one for a four. Don't think I've seen that before but would appear to make sense from the factory's perspective. The inserts are there too although I didn't get them in the picture.

The auxiliary cylinder is stamped with the SN but the Jet cylinder is not stamped which seems odd but I've seen some with no SNs on either cylinder.

Gun is about 98% with only a faint turn line but has obviously been fired. I don't have much experience with these 53s so any comments are welcome. I do have a six inch which is a hoot to shoot.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[series guy]

Very nice! Looks about as new as they get.

 

[SAFireman]

Jeff,

That is about as good as it gets. I have lusted for a 4" Jet for a long time now....Keith44spl's cobbled up one whetted my thirst some time ago.

Very nice package sir!

 

[Ruger 13]

The box says 6 inch barrel?

 

[Truckman]

The auxiliary cylinder is stamped with the SN but the Jet cylinder is not stamped which seems odd but I've seen some with no SNs on either cylinder.

My recently acquired 4-screw 8 3/8" Model 53 also has the serial number on the .22 LR cylinder, but not the .22 Jet...The barrel is marked .22 Magnum as are all the other 53's I've seen......Ben

 

[22hipower]

The box says 6 inch barrel?

Yes, but the box is cut for both six and four inch barrels. I've seen a couple of others, for later guns I think, with the same cut on the web and some for six inch that had only the six inch sight cut. Don't think there were many 4 inch 53s so perhaps they didn't want to build separate boxes for them. I can understand why the factory would want the same box for four and six inch guns but not sure why it would be labeled as a six on the box end. Perhaps they used a "four inch" sticker when it was shipped as was the case sometimes with nickel shipped in a blue box. Was hoping someone here would be able to shed some light on it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[SuperMan]

My guess would be the gun is all original and the box is not original to the gun. The ones I have seen that were original to a 4" barrel had the small piece of cardboard still in place for the 6" space.

Have had a 1961 4-screw 6" with both cylinders since the mid-1970s. The Jet cylinder is not serialized....the Rimfire is.

I rarely used it as a Jet any more after burning out the original barrel and had the original burned out barrel and Rimfire cylinder rebored/rechambered to .327 Federal. Gets a lot more use now. About two years ago there was a 4-screw 4" just like yours on GunBroker without the Jet cylinder that sold for only $850... I saw it a couple days after it sold...I would have bought that gun in a heartbeat...

To me they balance much better than the Model 18 or 17 and are not muzzle heavy like the full lug 17s and 617s. My .327 balances much nicer than the 16-4 with the full underlug...

That is a nice buy...very hard to find...

Bob

 

[jcelect]

53 Boxes

A couple differences in the mod 53 boxes, inside and outside. Make note of the difference of the top graphics, writing and design!

jcelect

 

[GM4spd]

Rare gun for sure in 4 screw frame. I'd be curious to see the condition of the barrel throat. Pete

 

[22hipower]

Rare gun for sure in 4 screw frame. I'd be curious to see the condition of the barrel throat. Pete

Here's a picture, hope its shows what you want to see.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[22hipower]

A couple differences in the mod 53 boxes, inside and outside. Make note of the difference of the top graphics, writing and design!

jcelect

So Joe, here's the top to the box for the 4 inch 53. Is this correct for a 4 screw 4 inch gun? I've studied your pictures but the box tops for the 53-2 4 inch Bangor Punta box and the 6 inch pre Bangor Punta box look the same to me. Thanks.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[GM4spd]

That barrel looks untouched by Jet ammo!

 

[22hipower]

That barrel looks untouched by Jet ammo!

And it will probably remain that way at least as long as I have it. May shoot it but I load it considerably lighter than the original factory ammo; still fun to shoot and plenty of flash/bang but doesn't seem to cause throat wear. . .at least in my 6 inch.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[jcelect]

So Joe, here's the top to the box for the 4 inch 53. Is this correct for a 4 screw 4 inch gun? I've studied your pictures but the box tops for the 53-2 4 inch Bangor Punta box and the 6 inch pre Bangor Punta box look the same to me. Thanks.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I posted the pic of the 6" to show the inside is not cut for a 4" gun. Both of my 4" guns have a "stick-on" label over the silver writing! This is why we wanted to see the barrel breech!

jcelect