Help w/ Terminology - "Cokes"?

HWayne

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I saw this line in a posting of a Model 29 for sale...

<What you see is what there is - nice 'Cokes' but no box, tools, or papers.>

Can someone help me understand 'Cokes' and why that is important? TIA
 
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Do some research here on the forum. The word applies to a specific Target grip made only for N-frames during a certain time frame, but is widely used incorrectly by uneducated sellers. Coke grips are approximately 3 times the value of standard Target Grips. so getting it right is important.
 
Do some research here on the forum. The word applies to a specific Target grip made only for N-frames during a certain time frame, but is widely used incorrectly by uneducated sellers. Coke grips are approximately 3 times the value of standard Target Grips. so getting it right is important.

Checkering also covers a larger area. Look around here, and you will find pictures. They are distinctive.
 
"Coke" is a description of a type of target stock no longer offered on S&W revolvers. It refers to the palmswells on each stock which, when viewed from the rear, create a "Coke bottle" shape, thus the name.
 
It has struck me as odd that S&W has not resurrected the old classic N and K-frame stock designs, such as the Cokes, for sale as "Genuine S&W." It's not like it would be difficult for S&W to set up (or contract out) their manufacture, to sell as S&W-branded exact duplicates of the originals, and they could make a ton of money from them. I guess the same could be done by Colt for their old grip styles.
 
So much to learn...

Standard Diamond Targets

IMG_1777_zps1418ebf4.jpg Photo by autoedge | Photobucket

"Cokes"

IMG_1630_zps8ed68905.jpg Photo by autoedge | Photobucket


You will notice the wider, taller checkering pattern. Also, the checkering border below the S&W medallion bows downward more aggressively on "Cokes"

Every time I log on here I realize there is far more I don't know than what I do know...

Forgive me but I am not seeing the distinction between the grips shown above. I have a '53 5-screw K-38 that I just bought and my grips on that look like both of these. What am I missing here? (Sorry for being such a novice.) TIA
 
Every time I log on here I realize there is far more I don't know than what I do know...

Forgive me but I am not seeing the distinction between the grips shown above. I have a '53 5-screw K-38 that I just bought and my grips on that look like both of these. What am I missing here? (Sorry for being such a novice.) TIA

You're K-38 would not have either as it is a K-frame; Cokes are only available in N-frames. However what you do have is most likely a set of Diamond Targets (for a K-frame) which are another desirable stock.

The difference between the two pictures is subtle but if they were side by side it'd be easier to spot. The easiest way to describe is that the checkered area on the Cokes is much larger; look at how closely it runs to the edges of the stock. In particular look at the border of "uncheckered" wood at the bottom; you'll notice it's much thinner on the Cokes.
 
Here's a side by side example of both from another thread, this might help.
cokes001.jpg
 
Like DWalt, I wonder why "Cokes" aren't being cranked out by S&W or some other outfit. The folks in Thailand are making incredible, high-quality, yet inexpensive stocks with some beautiful different species of wood. You'd think that "Football" "Cokes" would be a piece of cake to those guys.
 
Another easy way to identify "Coke" grips is by looking at the butt--real "Cokes" are a medium-size true oval, while all other target grips, including "Diamond" center grips are a blocky, large flattened oval.


"Cokes" look like this:
 
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