"JRD" on model 36 grip panel?

[Jim NNN]

I bought a nice late 60's model 36 - 2", round grip - last week (yay!), and when I took off the grips, they both had the letters JRD stamped on the inside of them. Rather large-ish font.

The serial # on one of the grips matches the gun, but the other grip has no serial number at all.

Can anyone fill me in on what this might be about? And shouldn't the # be on both grip panels? Thanks.

 

[bamabiker]

The number is stamped on the right panel, never saw a left stamped.
Don't know about the JRD.

 

[s&wchad]

I'll bet JRD stands for J round.

 

[hotrod150]

I just sold a 36-1 s/n 55Jxx with the original grips-- the RH grip was stamped with a J above and a 55 xx below, instead of all on one line. Is this normal?
The only other one I've owned with original grips (just sold it also) had an all-numeric s/n, which was stamped all in the same line on inside of the grip.

 

[KEN L]

I'll bet JRD stands for J round.

GIVE THAT MAN A CUPIE DOLL!!

 

[Jim NNN]

Yes, it sounds like a reference to J frame, round grip is the most plausible explanation for "JRD". The thing is, I have a 3" 36 from pretty much the same era, and it doesn't have any such reference, which in IT'S case would be "JSQ".

Maybe they only bothered labeling the round grip models because the panels might be harder to distinguish from k frame round grip panels. Or something.

Anyway, thanks for the input.

 

[hotrod150]

Just checked a loose pair of diamond-checked j-frame RB grips I have, they have the s/n stamped insdie the RH grips in two lines (one of which isn't even straight). KInda like
1 9
0
8 9 2

Anyone on board here own this one BTW? (s/n 109892)

NOTE-- the s/n won't come out like I typed it. The 0 is the middle digit of the top row, but is about half a line lower than the 1 and the 9.