Need Help Deciding

[Gunmeister]

I've bought, sold and traded handguns for the past 30+ years. I recently aquired the most perfect, three screw, circa 1976, nickle plated Mod 36 (no dash) that I have ever seen. The piece is flawless in every respect. There is a very slight powder burn on the business end of one chamber in the cylinder, the other four are spotless. Although I can't prove it, it appears to me that it was only test fired once at S&W. The stocks are perfect and show no wear. Lockup, end play, timing and bore are all perfect. The orig box was lost long ago and the gun has spent it's life in a zipper gun rug. It may sound corny but it was love at first sight and I can't put it down, it's a thing of beauty.
Now for my problem, I want to shoot it and carry it but I feel like I shouldn't because carrying and shooting it might produce some wear damage.
I'm not a collector, I enjoy the challenge of buy, sell or trade. An ardent Smith collector might really want this in their collection should I decide to part with it. Right now I have no plans to sell it or trade it but you never know what might come along.
What do you folks think? Should I fire it? What would you do?

 

[diamonback68]

They made gazillions of 36s and I don't think a 1976 would have much of a collector value. I have an original I bought in 1975 that has been fired maybe 20 rounds and I would place it at a $350 value. Nickel might be worth $50 more to some.
Shoot it and enjoy!
BTW A 1976 36 would not have "diamond" grips.

 

[ab4ka]

Shoot it! I've found it's still possible to carry and shoot a gun while keeping it looking good. I'm sure the lack of a box would limit the "collector" value so I'd enjoy it.

 

[fyimo]

I'd shoot it and enjoy it as the revolver has little collector value as stated by others.

 

[Gunmeister]

Thanks guys---Anyone got a picture of what Diamond grips look like. I was under the impression that the checkering on the stocks formed a diamond pattern????

 

[Texas Roots]

Gunmeister, I believe the diamond refers to the diamond shaped area around the grip screw. There is no shape like this in later wooden grips. Not sure when the factory transitioned over to the non-diamond grips but seems it was before 1970.

 

[fyimo]

Whether on target or magna grips the diamond they are talking about are likre the ones pictured on this gun.

 

[Gunmeister]

I got it now, thanks guys---I stand corrected.
JW

 

[kennyb]

the changeover to non-diamond grips was 1968

 

[Gunmeister]

AAAAAHHHHH you guys broke my bubble, I thought I had something really desirable.
I guess S&W made them so well back then that they just refused to deteriorate or wear out. It's gonna be my every day gun now.
Thanks to all who responded

 

[Gunmeister]

I just want to point out that the new nickle plated Model 36 on the S&W web sight clearly shows that it comes with "Diamond" grips.
OBTW it's MSRP is $845
Also new "heritage" "Diamond" grips are available online at the S&W store for $64.14, P/N 410790000.
JW.