Doc,
That's quite an interesting gun. I would have expected them to be shipping 19-3's by 1969 and I certainly wouldn't expect a pre-Bangor Punta box.
rlee,
Yes, they used gray boxes in the 1960’s. I wouldn’t call myself a box expert, but based on some boxes I have, I’d say the change from the solid border to the striped border happened in the early 1970’s (71-72). S&W didn’t like to throw things away, so you won’t find a clean change over date (see Doc‘s gun). I believe you want a gray box with a solid border that’s marked Bangor Punta on the lid (rather than S&W Inc.). Good luck finding one! I think you’d have an easier time finding one with a striped border, but they’re much less common than the blue boxes.
This was purchased new in 1969
My guess on this is 1970
Roving J from 1971-72
… but they did what they had to, to get guns out the door!