Another "Coke Bottle" grip question....

[MikeyL]

I know what the 'cokes' are, and that they were originally put on the .44 and .41 Magnum revolvers. I recently came into possession of a couple of Model 1955 Target pistols in .45 ACP, one made in 1957, the other in 1959. They are shooters only, but they both have "cokes". I checked these grips, and no serial number is stamped inside either pair. Question: Did Smith & Wesson put 'cokes' on other guns, or were these added by a previous owner who simply liked the feel? Were 'cokes' available as a special order 'target' grip in the 1955-59 era? Letters for these two have been requested.

Thanks in advance for any clarification!

MikeyL

 

[MikeyL]

I know what the 'cokes' are, and that they were originally put on the .44 and .41 Magnum revolvers. I recently came into possession of a couple of Model 1955 Target pistols in .45 ACP, one made in 1957, the other in 1959. They are shooters only, but they both have "cokes". I checked these grips, and no serial number is stamped inside either pair. Question: Did Smith & Wesson put 'cokes' on other guns, or were these added by a previous owner who simply liked the feel? Were 'cokes' available as a special order 'target' grip in the 1955-59 era? Letters for these two have been requested.

Thanks in advance for any clarification!

MikeyL

 

[29aholic]

Mikey
You could order the "cokes" from the factory as an accessory (?) during the time they were produced. Most non 41 & 44 mag guns came with Walnut Diamond target grips. I will say the earlier "targets" feel real close to "cokes" and as time progressed the targets seemed to get bigger in size.

 

[VM]

No more questions answered until you


poST piCTures!

 

[Guest]

A set of "Cokes" will not be shown as part of a particular gun in a Factory Letter. These were simply the 'style' that was used on the .44 and the .41 Magnum(to a much lesser extent) but could be purchased and added to any "N" Frame if the person wanted to. In general, Target Stocks have never been 'numbered' to the guns they were fitted to. But, that doesn't mean someone couldn't have simply stamped the serial number on the Stocks at a later date.

BTW, the term "Cokes" has only been around for a very few years and wasn't something that came from the Factory but like many other terms it came from the Collectors. We "need" to put names on everything or so it seems!!!

 

[Doc44]

There is no way to know for sure, but the standard stocks on the 1955 Target 45 or Model 25 were checked, target, made of walnut, and had the smaller checked area (when compared to stocks used on the 44 Magnum or Model 29). I would guess the stocks are replacements for the originals.

Bill

 

[MikeyL]

Thanks, guys! These particular stocks fit VERY well, show some use similar to the guns, but are definitely 'cokes'. Bill, I queried you on an earlier post about the stocks on a 1955 Target (since mine had the cokes,I had assumed yours should have had them). I suspect these may have been ordered with the guns since they date to the appropriate time frame 1955-59. Thanks for setting me straight, guys! BTW, I just received a digital camera as a gift, and am working on getting photos... at a minimum, I owe Kevin Williams a picture of my Registered Magnum since he sent me a copy of his articles on Colt National Match guns. He is the real deal, too!

This forum is the best for getting the straight scoop!

MikeyL
"Life's tough. Tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne