Wondering when first Model 36 Lady Smith's were produced. I saw a blue, 2, inch, square butt with serial number that puts it 1976 production. Wondering if Lady Smiths were produced then.

Welcome to the forum.
The first one I see listed in the engineering and production changes is the M36-4 from 1989.

The M36 Ladysmith variation shown on p. 208 of the SC does not have a pinned barrel and was introduced in 1989.

Did the piece you saw have a pinned barrel??

Yes, it had pinned barrel. I just confirming my my research. 1989 was when I thought they came about.

Thanks

Jack

I don't know if it was called a Lady Smith but they were popular with Ladies way before it was called a Lady Smith.
There is a very good example of one from the 50's--all engraved--at the YO museum in Kerrville--carried by the ranch owners wife.
Uses to see a lot of them in ladies handbags and glove compartments.
When we were kids we were not into seeing ladies underthings but into looking in glove compartments to see what kind of guns they had in them.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

Two possibilities - someone engraved the sideplate of an earlier model 36, or replaced it with a later Ladysmith part. "Why" would be the most obvious question... .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220