Chapman and Cutler LLP
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
December 3, 2014
Mr. Edward Bartz
Division of Investment Management
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Re: Guggenheim Defined Portfolios, Series 1253
BulletShares High Yield Low Duration 2016-2019
Bond Ladder Portfolio of ETFs, Series 5
File Nos. 333-199540 and 811-03763
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Dear Mr. Bartz:
This letter is in response to your comments given during a telephone
conversation with our office regarding the registration statement on Form S-6
for Guggenheim Defined Portfolios, Series 1253, filed on October 22, 2014 with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The registration
statement offers the BulletShares High Yield Low Duration 2016-2019 Bond Ladder
Portfolio of ETFs, Series 5 (the "trust").
PROSPECTUS
Investment Summary -- Principal Risks
1. The duration example in the eighth bullet uses a duration of three
years. Please confirm that the average weighted duration of the securities
underlying the exchange-traded funds is approximately three years or less. If
not, please revise this example to reflect the average weighted duration of the
underlying securities.
Response: We confirm that the average weighted duration of the underlying
securities is approximately three years or less and, therefore, the example does
not need to be revised.
We appreciate your prompt attention to this registration statement. If you
have any questions or comments or would like to discuss our responses to your
questions please feel free to contact the undersigned at (312) 845-3484.
Very truly yours,
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LLP
By /s/ Morrison C. Warren
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Morrison C. Warren