Oversize Target Stocks
This is a most enjoyable and informative thread that's reminded me of the simple fact that nothing is definate when it comes to S&W. In searching out early S&W 44 Magnums over the years one of the first things I look at in person, at a picture or get a description of over the phone are the stocks. Also, I still prefer the original factory name/description for the wood that came on the early 44 Magnums, "Special Oversize Target Stocks of checked Goncalo Alves with S&W monograms" (All Model Circular from early 1956). Of course it's much trendier to refer to them as "Cokes" due to the contour (now in question thanks to KB's post, thanks Keith!
), made famous by the Coca Cola bottle of 1915 which introduced the contour bottle shape familiar to all Coca Cola memorabilia collectors. See picture below. It has always amused me that S&W collectors latched on to this iconic bottle shape to describe a key part of another icon, the S&W 44 Magnum. It might come as a surprise though to know that Coke collectors sometimes refer to this particular bottle as the "Mae West" bottle referring of course to another icon of the day, the film star Mae West, famous for her own contours.
The .44 Mag target stocks have changed over the course of 50+ years as has everything else. See Bill's excellent EC on stocks for great detail on these changes. For those of you simply looking for some immediate indicators to a particular revolver's age by only looking at the stocks the gun is wearing,(given that the stocks are original to the revolver), here are a few that I've relied on over the years which have been 90%+ reliable when attempting to date the gun in question without a factory letter/ phone call/email to Roy Jinks.
1. Jan-Feb 1956 44 Mags will have target stocks noticeably more narrow at the girth, a more pronounced "ducktail" or flair at the heel of the stocks, and the stocks themselves as KB says above, will be noticeably shorter in length which is a pronounced difference when stood alongside stocks produced just the next month in March and thereafter. The backstrap cutout bottom section is also much shorter. Someone posted a picture of this difference the past year and if I can find it I'll try and repost it. Better yet, the original poster, maybe Bill, can do that for us or KB you can do it with the stocks you have right now if you have the time.
2. March-May 1956. Hammerdown has posted a picture in this thread of a set of OTs that have the tell-tale sign of early first 6 month production stocks. On the left panel, notice the pronounced almost double strike line on the lower left quadrant of the escutcheon diamond. When I see this double strike line (as I call it) on any set of OTs fitted to a 44 Mag and they are original to the gun, there's a good chance I'm looking at/having described to me, an early 44 Magnum. I've actually bought 44 Mags sight unseen with this stock characteristic and have not been dissapointed yet when the factory letter arrived.
3. June 1956 -1961-66, the 44 Mag stocks are taller, thicker, not by much, and have lost the pronounced flair. The double line on the diamond is also now gone, and the bottom of the stocks are becoming less oval in shape and beginning to take on a more square appearance common through the 1980s. After 1966-67 however, the OT stocks are the same as for other N frame targets and no longer are exclusive to the 44 Magnum and the Model 57 41 Magnum which wore identical stocks of the Model 29 from 1964 onward.The changes are not immediate and take place over several months and in some cases years. I'm pretty sure factory production techniques, machine change-over, etc., would account for the subtle variations in stocks that fanatics such as me get so wrapped around the axle over.
Another early OT characteristic that has come to light for me the past few years since I've had the great fortune, as have many of you in working with master KB, is the fact that the Goncalo Alves wood graining is actually quite pronounced and stunning. However, the ravages of 50 years takes it's toll on this wood and the beauty of this wood is actually hidden with oil, dirt, wear and tear, which is all ok but not too much. KB, much like a rare art restorer, has brought back to life several pairs of Ot's for me that before he performed his magic were just another pair of "Cokes". While the purist says leave everything alone and don't destroy the character of the original stocks, my simple thought is that KB's restorations not only brings the stocks back to life, but that he preserves that life at the same time. But, to each his own choice in matters like this. For me, if a 71 Hemi Barracuda, a Picasso painting, or S&W revolver is restored by a master and it is presented as such, then it's actually preferable, at least with me. I know this is always a controversial debate item, especially when it concerns gun restoration/value, but this is my opinion and that's all it is so you exciteable types can immediately not think you have a debate here. You don't.
Just some thoughts on a relatively crappy day here in NY. Expecting a little snow this afternoon/night. It's that time again already.
Chuck
Regards, Hammerdown
