I've seen both the gray matte color and the case hardened color on triggers and hammers when it comes to the Nickel Model 36's. Does anyone know when or why a change took place? Or was it just S&W's way to humor us later in life in trying to figure out these things.

I believe all Model 36s (blue and nickel) had case-colored hammers and triggers before the advent of MIM.

However, the stainless equivalent Model 60 had several different hammers & triggers but the one that could best be described as "gray matte color" was forged steel and then flash chromed.

Russ

Hey Russ,
Thanks for the reply. I had a gun trade today on one and it had the matte gray set. It kind of spooked me a little so before I committed I Googled images on the SW 36 Nickel and saw where it comes both ways. I did the trade; it's pinned, no dash, N stamped under the barrel and on the grip frame, serial dates it 1976-1977. It's no big deal but it did cause me to be curious about why. Thanks again for your input.

A pinned barrel blue or nickel J frame would have the case "colored" (not hardened) hammer and trigger.
As Russ stated the SS J frame hammer trigger went through an evolution that was basicly SS to Case color to flash chromed then back to case color then eventually to MIM.

Engine49guy is correct,Your Gun should have a case colored Hammer and Trigger.It is possible that the case colors have just faded over time.

Ok, I appreciate everyone replies. I don't doubt the expertise offered here; I thought the same. That's what threw me off before the trade. Just to let everyone know I have removed and inspected both sides the trigger and hammer. Neither shows any signs of case coloring or polishing. The previous owner swears he bought it new late 70's and had no alterations done. One of the images I looked at prior to the trade today was a pinned nickel 36 that sold here on this forum October 2011. It was described as pristine and a 70's born date also. It too had the dull gray Hammer and Trigger. Just thought I'd pick some S&W brains on it. Thanks again.

Your statement is confusing.

The colored hue is introduced during the quenching step of a heat treating process which does in fact harden the steel.Depending upon the heat treat parameters utilized and the alloy of the steel, this quenching can yield a component that is uniformly hard through out. Or it can produce a part that is only hard on the outside "skin" while retaining a softer core. These parts would be referred to as "case hard"

Regardless, these colors are in fact the result of a heat treating process that hardens the part.