Early K frame target stocks

[goatsnguns]

I have a pair of early K frame non relieved target stocks that have machined steel washers that are blued. Also these stocks are a little shorter than an other pair that I have, meaning the the distance from the bottom of the checkering to the base of the stock. They are Walnut and show no signs of being modified. My question is are these rare, scarce, or just odd, and do they fit a particular gun? This is the only pair I have seen like this.

Thanks guys for any enlightenment.

 

[schutz5]

Just odd,I think.

 

[Jeroenw114]

Maybe they were restored, new medallions and shortened?

I have shortened a pair because there was a big chip out of the bottom. And since it went on a 3" revolver that way the looks are better.



And maybe the old washers were damaged by drilling out the old medallions and new ones were made on the lath?

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

look refinished with urethane

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Put the panels together and post a picture from behind. They appear to have an oversized checkered area and may have a "coke" profile. There is disagreement on whether S&W ever made K frame cokes but I have seen some that look like N frames. The SCSW, 4th says this about K frame cokes:

One variation of target stocks draws special interest from collectors. “Coke bottle stocks” were introduced for K and N frame target revolvers in the mid 1950s. These very desirable stocks were made in both plain and diamond center checkered versions. (Checkered versions are scarce in K frame. Beware of altered N frame stocks represented as original K frame.) Rosewood is the most common material, but Goncalo Alves and to a lesser extent, walnut, were also used.

(Page 38-39).

 

[Doc44]

I have a pair similar to yours. The person running the stocking machine at S&W that day just had it set a little differently. I don't think my or your stocks are all that unusual or rare.

Bill

 

[22hipower]

There were no K frame "cokes" as much as many of us would like to believe there were. There are a couple different patterns used on the early K frame non-relieved stocks and the one with the larger checkering pattern looks like the larger N frame "cokes" but the preponderance of opinion here is that they are not "cokes." Nice stocks and my favorite for K frame target guns. If you want to sell me a beat up old K22 put a set of these stocks on it. There are several earlier posts on the subject if you want to use the search option.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Jack Flash]

I have a pair similar to yours. The person running the stocking machine at S&W that day just had it set a little differently. I don't think my or your stocks are all that unusual or rare.

Bill

Agree. Having worked in factories, I know that you will get variations on products depending on the individual worker, the rush to get an order out, what type of wood they happened to have on hand that day, ...

If you haven't seen it, there is a great summary of the evolution of S&W stocks presented here:
Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks / Grips - A Reference Guide

 

[smitholdtimer]

Never seen the machined/blued washers before

The only "K" Target Stocks I have have the blued thin metal washers, these are the first of the Blued/Machined washers on targets I've had the pleasure of seeing, period! Also I'll admit there remains many things I haven't seen.

 

[4barrel]

Here is my 15-2 from about 1965.

 

[goatsnguns]

Thanks to all for their input.
Guy, these are definitely not K frame "cokes", no palm swell at all, see photo.
Bill, I think you are correct on all accounts, as usual.
Jeff, in the photo of the three, the middle set appears to be like my set. Do they have blued solid steel washers?
The main question remains: are there any other examples of blue solid steel washers out there in S&W land???

 

[Doc44]

I have a pair of smooth N-frame stocks dating to 1953 with the same type of stock circles as on your K-frame stocks. It is the only pair I have in my collection like this (of the many). I checked a pair of N-frame target stocks dating to November 1951 (first pair for an N-frame made, and original to the 1950 45 Target revolver the stocks are on) and it has the regular type stock circles.

Probably just another manufacturing variation.

Bill

 

[goatsnguns]

Bill,

Maybe the solid discs were early prototypes in the evolution of these stocks.
Could you please post a photo of the discs on your N frame stocks?

Thanks, Gary

 

[Doc44]

Gary...If that was true, you would think the stocks from 1951 would have the earlier type stock circles. I will post a photo tomorrow.

Bill

 

[22hipower]

Jeff, in the photo of the three, the middle set appears to be like my set. Do they have blued solid steel washers?

Yes, blued/black washers but not showing machine marks as you show. I'll need to check my other sets but the last ones I got were the blue/black washers we expect on any K frame stocks up until the early '70s.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Doc44]

N-frame stocks with unusual stock circles. The extra hole in the stock panel is because these stocks were engraved and inlaid by Alvin White. Click on the photo for a closer look.

Bill

 

[VM]

There were similar “solid” machined washers on early Centennial grips although very small..... 1/2” diameter

 

[Doc44]

I don't know if discs are solid or not. Also, I checked a pair of Magna stocks from 1947 and they have the standard discs finished in black oxide.

Unless more stocks with this style of disc are reported, I don't believe we can draw any conclusions about them.

Bill

 

[VM]

This is the only picture I have and I no longer have these parts but here is the picture of the solid washers from the Centennial grips.
I’m not drawing any conclusions, but I’d speculate that the company found that the “stamped/pressed” open back washers were cheaper to make than the solid, machined ones.

 

[goatsnguns]

Mike,

I would have to concur with that speculation.