Early Diamondback Grips
Early Python grips were fully checkered. Was the same true of the Diamonbacks?
0
-
I'm going to say no but this is based only on a 1968 Colt catalog (the Diamondback was introduced in 1966) which shows the Python (MSRP $160) with fully checkered stocks while the Diamondback (MSRP $115) has the typical checkering which ends below the medallions-- just like on my own Diamondbacks. Paul or JudgeColt...what say yee?
Mark T. Christian0 -
This is a "Fun" Question and could even be considered to be a "Trick" question. Here's the reason I say this: The 2 1/2 inch barrel on the Diamondback's in both .22 LR and .38 Special came from the factory with what was described as "two-piece Service grips." The 4 inch Barrel gun came with what was described as the "two-piece Target grips, and both were the Checkered Walnut. The "Checkering" on the Target Grips came up to the medallions on the grips and slightly above and the border around the checkering dipped downward and around the bottom edge of the medallion giving a upper border shaped as a "wavy" line and not straight across. In the case of the "Service" type grips, there was a small border which was about 1/8th of an inch wide all around the grip panel itself. With the exception of the medallion, the area inside this border was all Checkered making the checkering go all the way to the top as well as around the medallion. So, Yes, the grips were checkered all the way to the top. This same grip pattern was used on the 2 1/2 inch Python also with factory installed "Service Grips." But the Target grips on the Diamondback were entirely different from the Target Grips on the Python. The Python's Target Grips were shaped much the same but were checkered more similar to the Service Grips but the top portion of the grips were much wider and taller than the Service Grips, making these Unique unto themselves. However, The Python Checkered Walnut Target Grips were also used on the "Colt 357" and the early "Officer's Model Match from about 1953 until about 1960 or so. The Diamondback was not offered with "Python Look-Alike Checkered Target Grips" but came with its own version of Target Grips as I explained above.
Curiously, Colt did make a "Cutaway of the 4 inch barrel .38 Special Diamondback which had Target stocks like the Python, but also had a stainless steel grip screw about 1970. This wasn't a "Standard" Diamondback but rather a "Cutaway" for Demonstration purposes.
Now that I have probably completely confused everyone.....let me add another interesting fact. Although I am not sure of the exact date the 6 inch Diamondback came into the picture, this "New Model" Diamondback came with another variation of the Checkered Walnut Target Grip. This one had a diagonal border which was straight and sort of "slashed across" the grip face with the high point at the backstrap making a straight downward running border beneath the medallion running to the front strap. The bottom portion was checkered and this gave us a "third" variation of Checkered Grip for the Diamondback......Sorry for the "windy" explanation......hope it isn't "too confusing!"
One other interesting note should probably be mentioned here. Colt was not one to discard any "Un-Used or Left-Over" parts. Hence, at the end of the manufacture of the Diamondbacks, (Circa 1986), some 2 1/2 barrel guns came with the "Target" stocks......and sometimes they were either of the variations I described above. It appeared as though they may have "run out of" the Original Service Stocks.....!!! To the Collector of these guns, this adds a little "spice" to whether or not your gun is "Factory Original."
I Miss The World I Grew Up In!0 -
Ah to lead the life an an advanced Colt collector! So Paul was the change over in the pattern of the checkering on the Diamondback switched at around the same time as the checkering pattern on the Python? Of course the two pistols are totally unrelated, the Diamondback being a part of the D-frame family, but the two pistols do tend to compliment each other and I'm sure Colt sold plenty of Diamondbacks based on the "down sized" Python look.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Actually, Mark, the answer to this question is "No." The Diamondback was unique in that the Original Grips on the 4 inch guns were their own Target type with the 2 1/2 inch guns having the original Service type throughout the entire production run.......except at the very last when parts were being "cleaned up." The "New Target Grip" which came on the 6 inch barrel guns was only used on the 6 inch ones. This means simply each model had its own set of grips.......until "Parts Clean Up" at the end of the production run. Then those last guns with very late serial numbers seem to have had grips installed that were there and available not keeping with the method of assigning grips up until then. I have seen all "three styles" on late manufactured 2 1/2 inch guns and either Target style on 4 or 6 inch guns. There didn't seem to be any correlation of any kind between the Python and the Diamondback other than the Ventilated Rib Barrel which was what made the Diamondback so desireable to Colt lovers. Hope I didn't confuse here too much, either......"word pictures" can be very difficult to "paint!"
I Miss The World I Grew Up In!0 -
Yeah, I knew all that. I was just checking to see if you guys were on the ball. You'll be pleased to know that you both passed my clever little test.
Yeah, right! I always come here for lessons in humility and have yet to leave unbowed. Thanks for the info, guys. I was looking at a D-Back on one of the auction sites and wondered if the grip types held true for both models. A Diamondback in .22 cal. is on my endless "Gotta Have" list and I'm now better prepared to shop for it.0 -
In your Quest for a .22 LR, remember, there is absolutely no difference between the .38 and the .22 except for the chambering and caliber marking. Both guns when placed side by side will appear identical from the side.......if looking down the barrel or into the cylinder there is a difference, but as far as Grips go, each barrel length had its own style regardless of chambering.......and Good Luck in getting a .22! They are very fun guns of the highest quality! Thanks for not "Flunking Me or Mark!" Hahahahahaha!!!!
I Miss The World I Grew Up In!0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
6 comments