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.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

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

thanks Bill. Now I know who gets the credit.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

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.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

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.

Attached Images

Smith 29.jpg (124.1 KB, 73 views)

Coke bottle stocks were used on Model 29s and 57s for approximately ten years (1956-phased out in beginning in early 1966).

Bill

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.

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.

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IMG_1355.jpg (89.6 KB, 78 views)

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.

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.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

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.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

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

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

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.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

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