M36 grip help

[1blindref]

I have a nice model 36 serial #5866xx and it came with a set of aftermarket grips. I'd like to put a set of original period correct factory grips on it and wanted to know if this serial number gun would take the diamond grips.
I have another 36 with grips that are numbered to the gun, serial #6430xx, that have the standard non diamond grips.

SCSW shows that the diamond grips where deleted in 1968 and that 1969 started with serial #786544.

With that information, I'm assuming that my 36 with the numbered grips without the diamonds was made in 1968.

Would it be safe to assume that my other 36 was made before 1968 and would have come with diamond grips??

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[1blindref]

I have a nice model 36 serial #5866xx and it came with a set of aftermarket grips. I'd like to put a set of original period correct factory grips on it and wanted to know if this serial number gun would take the diamond grips.
I have another 36 with grips that are numbered to the gun, serial #6430xx, that have the standard non diamond grips.

SCSW shows that the diamond grips where deleted in 1968 and that 1969 started with serial #786544.

With that information, I'm assuming that my 36 with the numbered grips without the diamonds was made in 1968.

Would it be safe to assume that my other 36 was made before 1968 and would have come with diamond grips??

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[1blindref]

Does anybody have a M36 with diamond grips that has a serial number higher than 5866xx?

 

[MaineProbation]

I have a beautiful pair #519XXX, like new with no chips, etc. Must have been taken off when the gun was new.

 

[mrwildroot]

MIne is #547XXX, and does not have diamond grips.
mw

 

[WingedWarrior]

I've got a 394xxx. S&W tells me it was made in 65-66. It's flat latch, no diamond grips, so I assume it's more like '65. That sound right?

 

[MaineProbation]

All J frames through 1966 came with diamonds. My Model 60, bought new in June of 1967, came with diamonds. 1967 was the real changeover year, at least for J frames, as I have seen some made in the year with and some without.

 

[1blindref]

Thanks for the replies.
Sounds like there is no real serial # break of when S&W switched over.

MaineProbation email sent

 

[MaineProbation]

S&W used what they had. They ran out of J, K, and N frame diamonds at somewhat different times. The rule of thumb is that, by 1968, there were no more diamond grips in stock. Some of the S&W dealers still had some diamond Magna and diamond Target replacement grips in stock until around 1970, but the factory was out by 1968.