S&W 36 no dash grips. When did they drop the diamonds?

[tuckybill]

I've got a little cutie here that I'm trying to find out if it has the original grips on it. Serial number is J238XXX. Model 36 no dash. When did smith and wesson drop the diamond grips? The grips look "old" but they do NOT have the serial number on them. I assume they are replacements because of that. Gun is in great condition and when I got it there was only a faint hint of a turn line. Now is more visible. From what I've gathered its a 1972ish gun but has replacement diamond grips??? Why would someone do that??

 

[murphydog]

Welcome to the Forum. Yours looks to be a 1974 shipped gun, and the diamond style of stocks stopped in 1967-'68. Lots of reasons to replace them - the originals were lost, these looked better, swapped onto the wrong gun during re-assembly? Hope this is helpful.

 

[guitar1580]

Nice looking 36. The diamond stocks were deleted in 1968, so if it was made in the 70s, the previous owner probably replaced the non diamonds with the diamonds, something I've done myself, because the diamonds look and feel better.

Josh P

 

[Dragon88]

I think those stocks look fine on the gun. Personally I would leave them, few would consider diamond stocks a detractor. Though they may not be original, they are more valuable $ wise than a comparable set of non-diamond stocks. If it really bothers you, a swap with someone for non-diamonds could be accomplished in the Wanted section in about 10 minutes.