|
|
02-14-2024, 02:48 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: VA & SoFL
Posts: 8,699
Likes: 473
Liked 5,748 Times in 3,213 Posts
|
|
Speaking of "Cokes"
Who came up with the term. Grips for the early guns were described in print as "Special oversized type stocks". pg. 12 Doc44s book on the 44 mag. Im thinking a few collectors out at an early Legas Show.
__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-14-2024, 06:39 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,410
Likes: 1,323
Liked 30,556 Times in 4,377 Posts
|
|
Harrison Carroll, well known dealer and S&WCA member, was using the term, "coke bottle" stocks in the early 80s. I have no idea who came up with the term.
Bill
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-14-2024, 07:18 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: VA & SoFL
Posts: 8,699
Likes: 473
Liked 5,748 Times in 3,213 Posts
|
|
thanks Bill. Now I know who gets the credit.
__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member
|
02-14-2024, 09:56 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,252
Likes: 11,936
Liked 20,600 Times in 8,584 Posts
|
|
When I was first accompanying my dad to gunshows in the 1960s I remember him and other collectors using the term when he got his first Mod 29 and other 29s he collected. I'm not saying he invented the term.
At the time the old timer Smith collectors at gunshows used the term 'Coke Bottle' grips but originally referring to the smooth N frame target grips shown at the top of page 38 SCSW 4th edition. Those more truly exhibit the coke bottle shape with their palm swells and flared butt and make the term obvious. Who originally came up with the term is long lost to history. But it carried over to the checkered version of 'Cokes' from the mid 1950s most of us are more familiar with.
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-15-2024, 01:52 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 367
Likes: 60
Liked 561 Times in 154 Posts
|
|
When I first bought my Model 29 I'd never even heard of Coke grips. I was surprised to find out they were uncommon and highly sought after. They also feel so darn comfortable in the hand it's a shame they didn't remain in use longer than they did.
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-15-2024, 09:23 AM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,410
Likes: 1,323
Liked 30,556 Times in 4,377 Posts
|
|
Coke bottle stocks were used on Model 29s and 57s for approximately ten years (1956-phased out in beginning in early 1966).
Bill
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-15-2024, 11:04 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 4,785
Liked 4,291 Times in 1,199 Posts
|
|
Yes, Cokes are beautiful stocks and fill my hand perfectly! The CB stocks make my 4-screw .44 Magnum a pleasure to shoot. I wish that S&W had continued to make them because there is no comparison with the later GA checkered target stocks...they are just big and blocky and not very comfortable. I plan to contact Curtis one of these days soon to make a set or two of his outstanding Coke Bottle-style stocks.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-15-2024, 04:55 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central OH
Posts: 236
Likes: 61
Liked 155 Times in 82 Posts
|
|
I’m confused, I guess. Are true Cokes any different than Target stocks say from 75-80?
|
02-15-2024, 05:09 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 774
Liked 2,170 Times in 536 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by nksmfamjp
I’m confused, I guess. Are true Cokes any different than Target stocks say from 75-80?
|
Yes, they are a target stock but with a different look and feel. My 1965 Shooters Bible called them "Special Oversized Target Stocks". Here is a comparison of a couple sets of "cokes" and a set of late 60's diamond N targets. 1970's targets would be about the same but without the diamond of the targets. Besides the difference in the checkering they had a less bulky profile.
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-15-2024, 06:10 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 712
Likes: 4,268
Liked 1,735 Times in 390 Posts
|
|
In my opinion they are the most attractive factory target stocks. And they feel perfect in my hands. It seems many feel same way. I like the modern eagle similar styled grips but they don’t have the same look or feel.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-15-2024, 07:16 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,252
Likes: 11,936
Liked 20,600 Times in 8,584 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by nksmfamjp
I’m confused, I guess. Are true Cokes any different than Target stocks say from 75-80?
|
Yes. Besides the palm swells, Cokes have a larger checkering field and an oval shape when looking at the bottom of the butt.
Regular and later target stocks are almost square when looking at the bottom of the butt. That makes them feel like gripping a 2 x 4 rather than the great feel and fit in the hand of the oval shaped Cokes.
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-15-2024, 08:08 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: VA & SoFL
Posts: 8,699
Likes: 473
Liked 5,748 Times in 3,213 Posts
|
|
The first thing I see, is a distinctive "smile" border of checking under
the medallion. It is slight and may be a figment of my imagination!
One thing Im sure of, Cokes have a diamond around the screws. And all the other characteristics.
__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-24-2024, 10:37 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Salmon, Idaho
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 4,153
Liked 9,535 Times in 1,467 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44
Coke bottle stocks were used on Model 29s and 57s for approximately ten years (1956-phased out in beginning in early 1966).
Bill
|
Bill,
You mention Cokes being used on 29's and 57's and I have them on two pre-27's that shipped in 1955 and 1956 so wondering if these were added after the fact or they left the factory that way?
Were they ONLY installed on the 29's & 57's??
Thoughts?
Tom
__________________
Tom Graham SWCA #2303
|
03-24-2024, 10:55 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 26,914
Likes: 995
Liked 19,050 Times in 9,317 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by THREEDFLYER
Bill,
You mention Cokes being used on 29's and 57's and I have them on two pre-27's that shipped in 1955 and 1956 so wondering if these were added after the fact or they left the factory that way?
Were they ONLY installed on the 29's & 57's??
Thoughts?
Tom
|
Not Bill, but the stocks may have been special ordered with the guns or added on later. Only a letter of authenticity will verify.
Only the models 29 and 57 had them as original standard factory stocks.
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
Last edited by murphydog; 03-24-2024 at 10:56 PM.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-25-2024, 09:03 AM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,410
Likes: 1,323
Liked 30,556 Times in 4,377 Posts
|
|
CB stocks first appeared on the 44 Magnum, so the CB stocks on your .357 Magnum from 1955 are replacements. The .357 Magnum shipped in 1956 could have them as original equipment but would have been a special order.
Bill
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|