Given the interest in another thread, I thought I would post a photo of an original (unaltered) pair of coke bottle stocks that are shorter than most found on 44 Magnums. This pair dates to June 1956. You see them from time to time, but they are scarce. Mostly, stocks that are shorter are found prior to 1956 and are smooth (many are made of rosewood and date to 1954/55).

The "short" coke bottle stocks measure approximately 0.5 inch from the bottom of the back strap to the bottom of the stock panels. Coke bottle stocks normally found (photo number two) measure about 0.1 inch longer. It is difficult to tell the difference from the photos because they are not to the same scale.

The third photo shows the short left stock panel attached to a normal size panel. The fourth photo shows the short coke bottle stock attached to a smooth stock of the same size that dates to 1955.

Bill

Doc,
With all due respect, are you saying that "short" Cokes measure .500" (1/2") below the grip frame and "normal" cokes measure .600" (or .100" longer than the "short" cokes)?
A photo of the backside of both might be helpful?
I think I saw a pair on Ebay recently but stayed away because they looked shortened?
Best,
Steve

Steve...I added a third photo that should help.

Bill

Apparently 'Short Target' stocks were still available until at least the late 1970's?

I have a Model 14-4 (1979 vintage?) with short target grips on it, the top one in this pic:

those stocks appear to be altered

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Here are some photos that I took of a number of sets that Bill loaned me to measure and photograph. These are "Special Target Stocks" I believe this is correct name when first produced. My feeling is that there were a few constants when they were produced but only a few. Much of what everyone expects to "see" on every pair of these that are out there varies a good bit when actually compared or measured. The oval base may be there or may not. The checkering field is always larger and is pretty consistent as to shape. The diamond is always present around the escutcheon. The checkering is cut at closer to 15 LPI than the more common size of 16 LPI. The short and long cokes when measured from the base of the grip frame run from about .380 to .550, this is an average of nearly three dozen sets I've had in my hands to measure. I'll also point out that the bottom flat of the stock is almost always tapered in relation to the bottom of the grip frame, most probably due to the production method of sanding them, they usually show traces of about 80 grit sanding on the base front to back also, this would remove wood pretty quick and I think accounts for the taper.



The two sets pictured are both early cokes but I believe the set on the left is the earliest, this based on the fact that the border is cut with a V tool and not the usual router bit, I think they might be more along the lines of a pre production set. On the subject of routed borders, I've also measured at least six different sizes of those from the earliest cokes to the last of the wood factory grips and I'm pretty sure there are at least a couple more. Note also that the set on the left has far less of the oval shape than you might expect to see.

This last photo is just to show the difference in these four sets of stocks.


Bill also posted photos away back of a set of cokes with only a right side palm swell, I know I saved the photos for reference but for the life of me cannot find them at the moment. They were absolutely stunning, IMO probably the first "type" of coke if not the very first set every made, hopefully Bill will see this and add those photos to the thread. Again these are just my thoughts on the subject and not meant as an end to anything.

Keith

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kbgrips.com

Pair of "Oversize" stocks dating to November 1950. Most likely the first pair of target stocks made for an N-frame.

Bill

Thanks Doc for posting this thread, it clears up something I've wondered about and have been questioned about in the past. I have a 29-2 that shipped Sep 20 1963, it came to me with a set of Cokes on it. After looking at them and pictures of others I'd noticed mine were considerably 'shorter' than others. I'd been asked if perhaps they'd been ground down but I never thought so.
Finally I have confirmation that there is such a thing. Incidently this gun left the factory on my 3rd birthday. That was a surprise when I recieved the 'letter' on it. The price I paid for the gun is what the stocks alone are worth.
RD

What looks like a 'nick' at the bottom of the checkering is a piece of crud I didn't catch untill the photo was taken.

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

Thanks to all contributing and good to hear from Keith.
Get well my friend.
This thread is the reason i joined this fine community.
I learn something new on here every time i log-on.
Great thread and pictures.

chuck

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They hold no Quarter