Came across a break top .38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model. It is nickel
and in excellent condition. The grips are off white diamond checkered that look like like plastic and appear to be factory??? They are not pearl.
Standard grip would be black hard rubber, I believe. Can anyone shed some light on these grips and if they add or detract value from the gun?
Thanks for your help.

rusty343, Those grips are cheap plastic copies, circa 1950s era, and have no connection to S&W production. Standard would be the black hard rubber type. S&W did offer pearl checkered diamond style stocks in the 1880-90s on special order. Some of Ammie oakley's S&Ws have the checkered pearl stocks. Ed ( Note: post this in the antique catagory)

Thanks much for the info on the grips. Did as much research as I could and couldn't find anything but the black rubber and pearl options. Looks like I couldn't find a better authority on this matter. Enjoy the holiday and thanks for your service to our country.