Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this scarce double/single-action revolver today for a penny-start auction, this is the Smith & Wesson Model 53, also known as the .22 Centerfire Magnum “The Jet” (C&R)!
The Smith & Wesson Model 53 is a .22 Remington Jet/.22 Long Rifle double-action revolver with a total of 14,956 produced from 1961 to 1974. This particular example was produced in 1962, the second year of production!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: 53
Serial: K476255
Date of Manufacture: 1962
Caliber: .22 Remington Jet / .22 Long Rifle
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 6" Pinned Barrel
Optics/Sights: Serrated Ramp Front with Adjustable Micrometer Click Rear
Stock/Grips: Oversized Target Wood Grips with S&W Medallions
Action: Double/Single-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Smith & Wesson Model 53 is a .22 Remington Jet/.22 Long Rifle double-action revolver built on the square-butt K-target frame with four screws and a blue finish. Offered with 4", 6", or 8-3/8" barrels (5-inch rare-usually factory cut 6" barrel), it features a six-shot fluted, counterbored cylinder of 1.67" length, oversized walnut target grips with S&W medallions and diamonds, or optional smooth rosewood grips. A special-order .22 LR auxiliary cylinder was available but is not interchangeable with the shorter 1.62" cylinders of the Models 17 or 48. All Jets were supplied with nickel-wash steel inserts for .22 LR; unconfirmed reports mention .22 rimfire magnum inserts, and experiments with 24 inserts bored to .22 Magnum proved failures due to bulging or splitting. The inserts typically feature a rim cutout for fingernail extraction, though a few early ones lack it. A large S&W trademark appears on the sideplate, and the frame incorporates a hammer “switch” selecting between centerfire and rimfire firing pins. The ribbed, pinned barrel is stamped “.22 Magnum,” with the backstrap and forestrap serrated with ten grooves each. Packaging included a special box with punch-outs for the auxiliary cylinder and inserts.
Model: 53
Serial: K476255
Date of Manufacture: 1962
Caliber: .22 Remington Jet / .22 Long Rifle
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 6" Pinned Barrel
Optics/Sights: Serrated Ramp Front with Adjustable Micrometer Click Rear
Stock/Grips: Oversized Target Wood Grips with S&W Medallions
Action: Double/Single-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Smith & Wesson Model 53 is a .22 Remington Jet/.22 Long Rifle double-action revolver built on the square-butt K-target frame with four screws and a blue finish. Offered with 4", 6", or 8-3/8" barrels (5-inch rare-usually factory cut 6" barrel), it features a six-shot fluted, counterbored cylinder of 1.67" length, oversized walnut target grips with S&W medallions and diamonds, or optional smooth rosewood grips. A special-order .22 LR auxiliary cylinder was available but is not interchangeable with the shorter 1.62" cylinders of the Models 17 or 48. All Jets were supplied with nickel-wash steel inserts for .22 LR; unconfirmed reports mention .22 rimfire magnum inserts, and experiments with 24 inserts bored to .22 Magnum proved failures due to bulging or splitting. The inserts typically feature a rim cutout for fingernail extraction, though a few early ones lack it. A large S&W trademark appears on the sideplate, and the frame incorporates a hammer “switch” selecting between centerfire and rimfire firing pins. The ribbed, pinned barrel is stamped “.22 Magnum,” with the backstrap and forestrap serrated with ten grooves each. Packaging included a special box with punch-outs for the auxiliary cylinder and inserts.
Options included a red-ramp/white-outline sights, target hammer and trigger, and a 1/8" Baughman Quick-Draw front sight in two ramp styles: early integrated ramps on 4" barrels and later pinned ramps with two pins. All examples use the micrometer-click rear sight. Documented Factory nickel finish is rare but does exist, while most other nickel guns will be found with the R-N marking under the grip with the date. Unlike other K-frame target revolvers, the Model 53’s rear-sight leaf screw was already positioned forward of the forcing cone and cylinder gap, so no change occurred in 1967, and no Model 53-3 variation is found. Likewise, a Model 53-1 does not exist because the extractor-rod change had taken place before production began in 1960. A total of 14,956 Model 53s were manufactured. Weight is 40 ounces with the 6" barrel. Production ran from 1961 to 1974.
Contents:
This example will ship with a Smith & Wesson box and all the other contents pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.




