“Coke Bottle” stocks value

[19leben]

I’m trying to figure out if the Cokes shown can be repaired satisfactorily or if I should leave them alone. Left side is in excellent shape but the right stock has some indentations along the rear, beginning adjacent to the S&W medallion. If left alone what would they be worth?

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[LittleCooner]

Others may say to leave them alone. Me, I have taken many dents out of walnut stocks over the years with the steam process. If this was my set of cokes, I would try that, I use a regular wash cloth and a spoon, heat the spoon on the stove top in the kitchen, put the wet cloth over the dent and place the hot spoon on the cloth, steam will raise the dent, sometimes almost back to original profile. continue to steam the dent until it no longer will rise.

 

[Fessor]

If I was the owner, I'd leave the stocks alone. While steam will raise dents in wood if the fibers are not broken, it will also affect the finish of the wood where applied: now a new issue. The condition of the stocks seem to match pretty well with the condition of the revolver so I'd use the stocks as is.

 

[Rusty parrot]

As an option you might contact Curtis Harlow about a refurbishing of them.
Him work is well documented here on the Forum.
Great grips and congratulations to you.
Jake

 

[quinn]

As an option you might contact Curtis Harlow about a refurbishing of them.
Him work is well documented here on the Forum.
Great grips and congratulations to you.
Jake

^^^^^^^^
What he said!

 

[Flygas]

I agree. Contact Curt. He’s a great guy, highly recommended!

 

[Retired W4]

I like my wood condition to match the steel condition. Leave them stocks alone.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Back in 2015, I picked up this minty 4-screw .44 Magnum for a very fair price. The seller had it listed on GB, but it didn't sell and the ad closed. I contacted him and offered to buy it from him before he relisted it on GB, and we agreed on a fair price for the package. I think the reasons it didn't sell on GB was that the package included a later mahogany presentation case instead of the proper blue/black case, plus the asking price was too steep. The only issues with the revolver were a couple of dings on the stocks. The r/h chip was from trigger guard recoil (a common problem), and the l/h ding looked like it was from being dropped or bumped. The .44 Magnum was so nice that I thought it deserved to have nice Coke Bottle stocks. I contacted Paul (DWFAN) for his thoughts on refurbishing them, and he gave me several good reasons for going ahead and getting the stocks repaired. As always, Paul did an outstanding job with the repairs and I'm happy I decided to have him go ahead with the work. I hope Paul is enjoying his retirement, and I'm glad the baton has been passed to some of our younger Forum craftsmen. IMHO, I would get those minor dings on your Coke Bottle stocks repaired. Good luck with your decision. Enjoy!

 

[PHS327]

This might not work, but if it was mine, I would try getting the smallest needle I could find and lightly poke the bottom of the dent and then place a drop of water on it and let it sit for an hour.

 

[19leben]

Thanks everyone for your advice or suggestions.


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[DARE]

No one gave you an estimate on value. I would say even in less than perfect condition $500+. I'm a long ways from an expert, so that opinion is probably worth what you paid for it.

 

[19leben]

No one gave you an estimate on value. I would say even in less than perfect condition $500+. I'm a long ways from an expert, so that opinion is probably worth what you paid for it.

Thanks for sticking your neck out and offering a value for the Cokes David. I was kinda thinking between $400 and $500 in current condition. I also think I would not attempt to repair them.


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[Truckman]

I would not attempt to put a value on my "half pair" of Cokes which happened to be included in a large lot of grips I bought from an estate...I call them a "half pair" because the right panel is indeed a coke, while the left panel is an early (mid 50's) N-frame target grip...My first thought was to offer the separate panels for sale to anyone who might need to improve an existing pair of either cokes or early targets...But I discarded that idea since both have been sanded down so that their outer contours more closely match...

Recently I decided the best use for them would be on my mid-50's .38-44 HD which had its barrel chopped to 3 3/4" long ago by an unknown gun plumber from its original (probably 5") length...It's one of my favorite carry guns as the action is smooth and tight despite its dubious history...I had to remove the beautiful Ken Driskill moose antlers for which I paid more than the gun, but I like the feel of the gun better with the targets, and since it is in my EDC rotation...

So now I feel better about carrying my $300 old warhorse, and I'm now tasked with finding another candidate for a pair of Bigmtnman Bullwinkles...Maybe in Tulsa next week......Ben

 

[gmborkovic]

Would a set of absolutely perfect factory Cokes, with no dents and every diamond perfect ever fetch $1000?

 

[Vtgw938]

I've been thinking $700 for a perfect pair but I might be low, especially to the right buyer with the right revolver.

I picked up this set recently and about the only "defect" they have is a dent, which may be from the installation of the medallions. Though about trying to raise the dent but I think I will leave them alone. As I recall Doc44 thought they were from 1959-60.

 

[paplinker]

Would a set of absolutely perfect factory Cokes, with no dents and every diamond perfect ever fetch $1000?

Twice I have watched cokes bring 1200ish before taxes.

Both sets had beautiful grain wood.

One set rosewood for sure with nice colors in it.

The other set was a bright gold colored set I assumed to be Alves.

Sometimes I wonder if a Maple set might ever be found.

 

[gmborkovic]

Thanks all. Now for an education. I assumed all factory Cokes were walnut? Now im hearing rosewood, Alves and maple? Whats the story.

 

[smoothshooter]

I’m trying to figure out if the Cokes shown can be repaired satisfactorily or if I should leave them alone. Left side is in excellent shape but the right stock has some indentations along the rear, beginning adjacent to the S&W medallion. If left alone what would they be worth?

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Why are they called “Coke bottle”?

 

[AC Man]

All of mine look like new, but the ones that have sharp checkering that will wear your hand raw is proof of a gun being unhandled or used. I have seen guys refinish their own grips that look like new, but I am not smart enough to know what this does to the value.

 

[raljr1]

Why are they called “Coke bottle”?

If you look at them from the rear, the palm swell resembles the classic coke botte shape.

Robert