Questions on a S&W Model 53... Can This Exist??

[Auto Mag]

This was advertised as:

Smith and Wesson Model 53 SN: 4K83XXX no dash (advertised as a 1974 model that is no dash with GA no diamond grips and is a 3 screw??), Rare 8⅜" barrel. 22 Remington Jet Magnum. K Frame revolver chambered in 22 Magnum with factory 22 Remington Jet inserts and in it's original serial numbered matching box with Goncalo Alves Target stocks which are in very nice condition with almost no wear to speak of. The original bright blued finish remains in 98%+ condition with only a faint turn ring present.

So, if you didn't get it... I'm asking if a Model 53 no dash, 3 screw with non diamond grips (I know these can be changed, easily enough)... really exist? Can anyone give me the date of mfg., as well? It was advertised as a 1974, no dash, 3 screw (WTH - or is it just me?). Thanx in advance for any info!

 

[toroflow1]

1974 mfg date.

 

[gfors]

1974 should probably be a dash 2

 

[s&wchad]

Guns lie…

Is there a screw in the front of the trigger guard? It may be stamped “”MOD 53”, but it’s a model 53-2 if it has a 3-screw frame. Engineering change levels are best identified by the physical characteristics of the gun, not by what an employee stamped in the yoke cut.

 

[Doc44]

The answer to your question is "yes". The Model 53 was shipped up through the mid-70s and after 1968, the stocks would not have had
a diamond around the escutcheons. Sometimes the model's variation was not stamped in the yoke cut, but with a 3-screw frame the revolver would be a 53-2, stamped or not.

Bill

 

[CLASSIC12]

I have a 4 inch 53-2 serial nbr 4K49026 made in 1973, so a higher serial nbr 1974 53 no dash sounds fishy

 

[jcelect]

I have 5 guns in my data base with 4K83xxx numbers shipped in 1974-75 and one shipped on 14 Feb 1979! All of these are stamped mod 53. As stated by Doc 44 they are 53-2s but not stamped that way! If you are buying, be careful, the mod 53 was a barrel burner which did not take many rounds to show!

jcelect

 

[JP@AK]

chambered in 22 Magnum with factory 22 Remington Jet inserts

That is odd. The cylinder should be chambered for the Jet. The inserts are shaped like the Jet case, but have the bored portion sized for the smaller, rimfire, .22 Long Rifle cartridge. In other words, the opposite of how it is described in the advertisement.

The barrel stamp always said "Magnum" even though it wasn't really chambered for the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge.

It seems that some inserts were made for the .22 rimfire Magnum, but I don't think they were ever produced in any great quantity and were not sold with the guns (at least not usually).

I've never owned a Model 53, but I've handled several of them. I'm quite certain that what I wrote above is accurate.

 

[jcelect]

That is odd. The cylinder should be chambered for the Jet. The inserts are shaped like the Jet case, but have the bored portion sized for the smaller, rimfire, .22 Long Rifle cartridge. In other words, the opposite of how it is described in the advertisement.

The barrel stamp always said "Magnum" even though it wasn't really chambered for the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge.

It seems that some inserts were made for the .22 rimfire Magnum, but I don't think they were ever produced in any great quantity and were not sold with the guns (at least not usually).

I've never owned a Model 53, but I've handled several of them. I'm quite certain that what I wrote above is accurate.

As you stated the 53 is the "22 Magnum" and the 48 is the " 22 Winchester Rimfire Magnum". This confusion is why Remington named the cartridge "The 22 Remington Jet"! The factory never chambered the inserts for the 22 WRM only the 22 Long Rifle cartridge! The bullets of the 22WRM are bigger in dia than the .222 of the Remington Jet.
jcelect

 

[JP@AK]

The factory never chambered the inserts for the 22 WRM only the 22 Long Rifle cartridge!

There seems to be some evidence that experimental WRM inserts were made. But, as I noted, to my knowledge they were not shipped with any of the guns except, perhaps, for some tests.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have some inserts chambered for 22 Winchester magnum. They were chambered by a gunsmith in Kentucky. Haven't tried them yet.

 

[Hondo44]

The answer to the anomaly of the dash #s not matching the engineering features present on the gun, is no mystery.

It's not normal but not uncommon either, especially on models with slow or low volume sales where frames/parts can be in inventory or in process a long time.

So one has to understand the manufacturing process. Once frames enter the process, they get disbursed randomly for machining and at a certain point are serial numbered, stamped with Model #s including dash numbers, (if engineering change orders had been implemented at that point), disbursed for assembly, etc. The fact is that machining/assembly of the parts does not have any correlation to serial # chronological order, or engineering change orders and dash numbers.

Parts are made in batches. Often produced parts in inventory don't have newly ordered design changes until the next batch of parts is produced. To confuse the situation even more, newer parts batches are made with a design change that actually get assembled into completed guns before older parts w/o the change. This also confuses the dash numbers after model #s were used. We find guns with design changes incorporated w/o the correct dash # and vice versa. Throw in the well known fact that guns were not built or shipped in serial # order, and it's virtually impossible to pinpoint design changes by serial # or date.

Therefore following the stamping of frames with Model # (with or w/o dash #), subsequent engineering changes can be approved and incorporated into the manufacturing process. We see this in all models. When and how guns are completed, which changes were incorporated, and/or when they are shipped vs. the gun's completion date, has no correlation to serial number order or dash #.

Therefore the final result can be complete chaos with regard to correct dash #s vs. engineering changes on the gun, and of course serial # order.

Hope that helps,

 

[Auto Mag]

WOW... It never ceases to amaze me at the fount of knowledge from this forum and it's members! Thank you guys, very much appreciated!

So, can someone please clarify the differences/revisions, in the dash numbers? A dash 1 is obviously the dropping of the fourth screw in the trigger guard. Any other differences between a no dash and a dash 1? How about the differences between the dash1 to dash 2 and then the 2 to 3? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Auto Mag]

Sorry. DP.....

 

[GM4spd]

There are plenty of 70s era no dash Model 53s as others have correctly pointed out. Pete
As far as 22 MRF inserts,they probably exist but I believe S&W made the bore diameter for the M53 to be .223 for 22LR and 22 Jet. The MRF bore diameter is .224. I’m not sure if there is much difference from a practical accuracy standpoint but S&W must have made them different for a reason.

 

[Auto Mag]

Thanx again Gents.

@CLASSIC12, that muzzle and cylinder blast shot, is amazing! Thanx.

@GM4spd... that is a beauty! Love the dark Stocks!

I picked up my 53 from the guy today and was I ever shocked! He handed me a little pouch and I thought it was the inserts, I opened it up and looked inside and there they were...



The skies opened up, I heard a chorus of angels singing and a ray of light pointed down upon it!

So to recap..., A like new, in the box Model 53 with that S&W deep bluing, in the 8⅜" barrel (my favorite length and the more rare length), in the original box, serialized to this particular gun, with the paperwork and also the 6 .22 inserts (2 sets of 6!), with the auxiliary. 22LR matching cylinder. Oh, and by the way... the original tool kit with the original .22 Jet tapered swab! This is extremely rare to have. I have only seen a couple and the one guy was asking $200 for it!

BTW, I have a 6", 4 screw that I've shot quite a few rounds through. Mostly loaded back rounds to protect the gun and also my personage... you have never heard a cartridge "CRAAAACK" like this one does!

Also, this required the .222" bullet that only Hornady ever produced, specifically for this cartridge. The 2210 Jet in 0.222", now discontinued. Sorry, for the poor pix. I still have a few boxes.



Yes... I am a happy camper! I figure with the cylinder, the correct swab and the extra inserts, it just added about $600 - $700 to the package!

Can I assume that mine is one of the last year of (normal) production? Being a mid 70's production, that is a no-dash - must certainly add some value... I guess that and two bucks will get me a cup of coffee... right?

Again, thanx Guys for all of the info! This has been FUN!!

 

[GM4spd]

You did real good.

 

[austintexas]

I have a 22 Jet, M-53 That came with a 22 magnum cylinder that was serial numbered to the gun. Picked it up in a pawnshop. It was labeled 22 magnum $450. I knew it was a 53, and when I was ready to leave he ask if I wanted the jet cylinder and inserts. I haven't lettered it and it looks like it will be a while before I do.
SWCA 892

 

[Hondo44]

WOW... It never ceases to amaze me at the fount of knowledge from this forum and it's members! Thank you guys, very much appreciated!

So, can someone please clarify the differences/revisions, in the dash numbers? A dash 1 is obviously the dropping of the fourth screw in the trigger guard. Any other differences between a no dash and a dash 1? How about the differences between the dash1 to dash 2 and then the 2 to 3? Inquiring minds want to know.

The book lists no 15-1 for the Model 53.
The 53-2 eliminated the trigger guard screw in 1962 (4th screw).
That was the last dash # for 53s.

 

[monsai52]

...

Also, this required the .222" bullet that only Hornady ever produced, specifically for this cartridge. The 2210 Jet in 0.222", now discontinued. Sorry, for the poor pix. I still have a few boxes."

Reed Ammunition makes a .222 40gr. Soft Point bullet for the Jet, as well as loaded ammunition.

Best regards,