Remington 870 date of manufacture (found).

[puma guy]

I picked up a nice little 12ga 28" VR fixed choke (mod) Rem 870 yesterday and have a question for any one that may know. BTW I tried the Remington Society but it's 45 bucks to join and I ain't that interested in the answer. According to the barrel code AI it's either March 1976 or March 1988. I tend to think it's 1976 as the wood is nicely figured and the barrel ring has turned plum. My question is regarding the grip cap. Typically older Rems have the white diamond but this one has a flying duck. Any one out there know when the diamond went away and when the "flying duck" was used?

EDIT: Got the answer to manufacture date, which, is 1976. Still haven't found any information as to when or why the flying duck grip cap is/was used. I have a 1979 1100 that has the diamond. I called Remington and they could tell me.