I know y'all insist on photos and stories too. I'll meet halfway. I lack computer photo skills but I can write, so here goes my first post.
It appears M-53 .22 Jets may have been sent to dealers as late as 1976.
On one of my usual rounds of the LGS in the area, I spotted the 8 3/8" M-53 Jet, as well as a M-43 aluminum frame .22 Kit Gun in the glass display case.
This was after Dayton Gun Headquarters was chased out of its North Main St. Dayton location, renamed itself Dayton Sports Headquarters and relocated to 8012 McEwen Rd, Centerville Ohio.
I was aware S&W had discontinued the M-53, the M-43, as well as the M-35 in 1974 (the M-35 was my first S&W, I was only 16 then so I had Dad along to seal that deal at the old North Main St. location in 1972).
I fired some 20 thousand rounds through my M-35, but examining this gun now few would believe that as the bluing is at least 99% and cylinder turn line is very faint...but how this came to be...that is a story for later.
Though I wanted both the M-53 and the M-43, I only had enough $ to afford one at that moment.
I pleaded with my parents to buy the M-43 as it was sure to be a collectors item, having been discontinued. I don't recall why they declined, just that they did.
So, having put some cash down to pull the Jet from the display case and hold it for me, I then had to tote Mom with me to purchase the Jet as I was only 20 in 1976.
As with the 4" Jets in this thread, my 8 3/8" was stamped Mod. 53 (with room for the dash but not the 2) but the S&W box was marked Mod. 53-2.
The S/N on my 8 3/8" is 4K83274.
I wonder if records ever reflected the first as well as the final production unit off the line of each model?
I have learned lurking here that serial numbers do not necessarily reflect dates of shipment.
