“Cokes” on a pre-27? Letter confirms!

[MarkHayden]

A few months ago I bought a pre-27 3 1/2" from a friend. It had Coke grips on it. We both thought that they were add-ons by a previous owner. The letter arrived today. The grips were on the pistol when it was shipped in 1959!

Mark

 

[VM]

That's a nice revolver Mark.
Are the grips indeed walnut or are they Goncalo Alves?

 

[gmborkovic]

AH! Mark, I need clarification on the term, palm swell. That is one
characteristic of Coke grips.

 

[MarkHayden]

Not being familiar with the differences between GA and walnut, I'm not sure. However, these grips are different from the walnut grips on my other pistols, darker and more interesting grain.

Mark

 

[mchom]

Congrats !

Nice touch on a cool gun.

 

[VM]

Not being familiar with the differences between GA and walnut, I'm not sure. However, these grips are different from the walnut grips on my other pistols, darker and more interesting grain.

Mark

That's why I asked, because the pretty grains/colors show in your picture…..
Walnut cokes are pretty scarce and I only remember a thread or two over the years documenting them.

 

[VM]

https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-h...s-worth-repairing.html?highlight=Walnut+cokes

Mark, the grips in this thread are Goncalo Alves and easily identified by the grains/ colors in the butt.

 

[paplinker]

Could you post a pic of the invoice?
It would be very interesting to learn how the factory describes that stock.

 

[DARE]

Congrats Mark! Unusual gun. Think February 1959 is a pretty late ship date for a 5 screw pre model and guess the "Cokes" were special ordered. Nice to have that confirmed with a letter.

 

[CH4]

Thought grips from that era had the serial number stamped on the right panel.

 

[toad67]

Thought grips from that era had the serial number stamped on the right panel.

IIRC, it was only magna's since they were fitted to the gun.

 

[Engine49guy]

The thing I find very interesting is that a 5 screw shipped so late ,
My guess is that one got buried in the vault for years.

 

[MarkHayden]

Other memes agree with that, Engine49guy. The more I learn about S&W revolvers, the less I'm surprised. I bought a 4" Combat Masterpiece in a 6" gold box; serial # on the bottom of the box, a label on one end stating it was a Combat Masterpiece (not a Masterpiece as the box was titled), and wooden block in the box to take up the room in the box (6" vs 4").

 

[hibbs]

I have three 5-screw 1955 targets shipped late. Nov.'58, Jan.59, June '59. I guess they were slow movers back then.

Richard

 

[boykinlp]

A few months ago I bought a pre-27 3 1/2" from a friend. It had Coke grips on it. We both thought that they were add-ons by a previous owner. The letter arrived today. The grips were on the pistol when it was shipped in 1959!

Mark

I learn something new everyday. I would've guessed that your grips pictured on the gun were made from Goncalo Alves instead of walnut. They appear to have nice grain.
Larry

 

[CptCurl]

A few months ago I bought a pre-27 3 1/2" from a friend. It had Coke grips on it. We both thought that they were add-ons by a previous owner. The letter arrived today. The grips were on the pistol when it was shipped in 1959!

Mark

Nice, Nice, Nice! Thanks for sharing this.

Yeah, they look like walnut to me. Have no doubts.

Curly

 

[RKmesa]

Could you post a pic of the invoice?
It would be very interesting to learn how the factory describes that stock.

I agree. I too would love to see the invoice. The stocks look like GA to me as well.

Beautiful gun!

 

[22hipower]

Thought grips from that era had the serial number stamped on the right panel.

"IIRC, it was only magna's since they were fitted to the gun."

Some early un-relieved target stocks did have numbers, not many and didn't necessarily ship with the gun with that SN. Probably on pre 25s but possibly others.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2nc48so https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2nccaZp https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Retired W4]

I can't tell from the picture if they are walnut or GA. I'm leaning towards GA.

Interesting but not surprising due to a Feb. 1959 ship date the invoice called it a M-27. I'm guessing the frame is not model marked even though they were making Model 27's by then.

 

[1blindref]

1959 Pre 27, 3.5", 5 screw, with factory Cokes.
Great. Another hole to fill!

Congrats on acquiring a fantastic S&W!!