Model 36 smooth grips?

[scottz63]

Looking at an early Model 36, pinned barrel and flat latch. Serial #140,xxx. It has smooth wood grips with a gold S&W medallion.

Was something like this available or replacement grips? From what I can find, all the 36 grips were checkered.

 

[Vtgw938]

I can't say if smooth stocks would have come on the gun unless special ordered but yes S&W made such stocks. They look to be rosewood and the gold medallions are most likely silver colored under the old varnish or oil. I'd be very happy with those stocks.

 

[MelvinWalker]

Smooth J frame grips

S&W did a later sort of remake on some of the later Ladysmiths...I have a parts kit which has these grips.

Also comes to mind about the 1950's Chiefs that were given to Jack Webb and co-star that had beautiful factory smooth rosewood grips. They were featured at last year's show as well as in a SWCA print edition.

 

[JP@AK]

scottz63

I believe those stocks are from the later LadySmith variant of the Model 36. In 1989, I bought one of those as a 16th birthday present for my daughter. I think that was the first year of the LadySmith, and they came with smooth rosewood stocks just like the pair you have.

If yours has a flat latch, it is pre-1966, so the stocks are much newer than your revolver.

 

[scottz63]

Thanks for all the responses!

In better pics, they appear to be walnut and fairly old. Much older than 80's wood it looks like.

 

[Vtgw938]

They are older, they have silver escutcheons and I'm betting they have black stock circle inserts. Lets see the back sides. This would also verify they are rosewood with those long cut pores.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

The OP's stocks appear to be 1950s vintage, not 1989 or later
Lady Smiths. The serial number nails it as no earlier than 1958.

Here are a few on early Chiefs:

1) Chiefs Special Airweight serial number 24295 to Flora Van Orden,
February 11, 1953

2) Chiefs Special serial number 38185 to Jack Webb, June 4, 1954

3) Chiefs Special serial number 47475 to S&W Sales Manager
Harold O. Austin, August 31, 1954

 

[Spurdann]

Thanks for all the responses!

In better pics, they appear to be walnut and fairly old. Much older than 80's wood it looks like.

The grain pattern on those stocks is not consistent with walnut.

 

[chief38]

I know some J Frame models like the Centennial did come with smooth grips, but I am unaware of any standard M36's being shipped with them. I also believe that smooth grips were available after market sold in blister packs from S&W.

 

[Jmp50]

Found some banana's in the junk bin at LGS. Probably 80's mfg.

 

[VM]

The grain pattern on those stocks is not consistent with walnut.

Correct, the are most definitely Rosewood and if the OP looked on inside panels there would be a matching stamped number.