Need help with M 36

[Harold45-]

I just won a M36 at a police auction. It is an M36, no dash. 38 special. I have a few pictures that I will attach. I have not seen Bianchi stocks before that entirely surround the hammer. I assume that is for pocket carry. Ser. # AAZ62xx on bottom of frame. On left side under grips is # 8672. On right side under grips is # 4790. 3 screw. 17/8 barrel. It is dirty with some rust and blue worn in places. Will try to get more pics when I can. Please put in correct place, as I may need to have this in 1980 to present forum.

 

[Inusuit]

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition doesn't list an AAZ prefix. The triple-alpha designation began in 1980, so the post should be in the 1980 to present section.

Your revolver is probably 1983-85. Others who are smarter may narrow it down for you.

I haven't seen those grips before. You are correct that the intent to prevent snagging the hammer while drawing. See the S&W Model 38 for a revolver that incorporates this feature into the frame.

 

[JP@AK]

AAZ is almost certainly from 1983. The triple alpha numbers were used on the L frames as early as 1980, but the J frames didn't switch over until 1983.

I will ask Lee to move your thread.

Bianchi and others made that style grips to essentially convert a Model 36 to a Model 49 Bodyguard (the Model 38 is an Airweight Bodyguard with an alloy frame). I have seen several of them over the years. A friend has a Model 60 with that style grips.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I can add a few bits.

I list 11 Chiefs (Model 36 & Model 60) with AAZ serial numbers in my database. One had the original box, and its Julian date is 3070, which equates to March 11, 1983.

The Bianchi Lightning grips are terrific for a large hand. The pair I have came on a Chiefs Special Airweight that shipped in August 1958 before there were model numbers. I always thought Bianchi made the Lightning to convert a standard Chiefs Special into a Bodyguard (second photo).

 

[Fastbolt]

Nice. Congrats.

Yep, those old Lightning grip stocks not only helped tame recoil averse folks in shooting the J's, but they did indeed provide a Bodyguard's snag-free profile.

On the other hand, they were huge relative to size of the little 5-shot snub ... and they made it harder to find a belt holster that would fit, since the grip stocks didn't work with the usual thumb snap holster.

One of the holsters of that bygone era is the crossdraw holster, which worked with exposed hammers, shrouded hammers and internals hammers since it didn't use strap over the hammer.

This is an example of such a popular holster for detectives back in the day. This one was made by a leather maker in the SF Bay Area who made a lot of gear for agencies. I came across it as New/old stock being sold by a guy on ebay who specializes in finding older leather gear. When I contacted him, he said he'd come across a stash of some new/unsold stock of that model. I ordered one because I knew the former owner in my days of being a young cop, and I'd bought some leather gear from him. Some of my issued leather gear was also out of his shop.

Here's some pics, using an older .38SPL Bodyguard and a 642 Centennial Airweight as examples. The cant on the belt was slightly adjustable due to the wider opening of the tunnel belt loop on one end.

 

[326MOD10]

You could also get the Bianchi Lightning Grips in a K Frame size.

They generally came in two colors, either black or brown.

I have a pair of J Frame and K Frame ones that I picked up but don't use.

Had a pair on a converted (to 9mm usable) 360J that did tame the recoil of the 9mm round but were heavy and negated the purpose of the lighter 360J.

 

[Rubone]

I've had a pair of those Bianchi Lightnings on my model 60 since the '70s. Bottom right in this pic. If you don't like them I'm interested in them.

 

[Harold45-]

Thanks for the offer, but I have large hands and think they will suit me just fine. Will find out when I take it to the range.

 

[Alk8944]

A day late and a dollar short! Now I would like to have a couple pairs of the Bianchi Lightning grips, but wasn't interested when they were available.

 

[Harold45-]

After cleaning the rust off under the grips, I found more #s stamped on the frame. E 10 and F 16 both on left side of frame. Larger size and not stamped as deep. E 10 also stamped in crane. Does anyone know what these could be for?

 

[biblethumpincop]

A day late and a dollar short! Now I would like to have a couple pairs of the Bianchi Lightning grips, but wasn't interested when they were available.

Like this brown set?

 

[rwsmith]

That's neat!!!

Just break it down and clean it up. People that sweat a lot get moisture under the grips.

 

[majick47]

I can't remember the model number right now but Bianchi had a holster with a strap to accommodate the Lightning grips. Vintage open top holsters from Safariland, Bucheimer, Roys, Lewis will also work with those grips. The Bianchi holster is a 55L, thumbsnap goes over the trigger guard.

 

[MajorD]

After cleaning the rust off under the grips, I found more #s stamped on the frame. E 10 and F 16 both on left side of frame. Larger size and not stamped as deep. E 10 also stamped in crane. Does anyone know what these could be for?

Factory fitters marks no significance outside of factory

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition doesn't list an AAZ prefix. The triple-alpha designation began in 1980, so the post should be in the 1980 to present section.

Your revolver is probably 1983-85. Others who are smarter may narrow it down for you.

I haven't seen those grips before. You are correct that the intent to prevent snagging the hammer while drawing. See the S&W Model 38 for a revolver that incorporates this feature into the frame.

Those Bianchi grips were popular in the 1970s and early 1980s. So they been on the revolver for the last 40 years.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

On the other hand, they were huge relative to size of the little 5-shot snub ... and they made it harder to find a belt holster that would fit, since the grip stocks didn't work with the usual thumb snap holster.

One of the holsters of that bygone era is the crossdraw holster, which worked with exposed hammers, shrouded hammers and internals hammers since it didn't use strap over the hammer.

This is an example of such a popular holster for detectives back in the day ...

My four inch crossdraw duty holster had the the safety strap going between the grip and trigger guard.

 

[pantannojack]

Just break it down and clean it up. People that sweat a lot get moisture under the grips.

Just a humors add on: From one of my favorite movies, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid: "Beware the man who sweats alot".