K frame cokes?

[444 Magnum]

I picked up these grips recently and could use some help.
They are pictured on the 19-5 (top). They are much larger than the targets that are on the 19-1 (bottom).
Black washers (1955-1968)? Targets with football cutout.
Did they make cokes for the K frames or just the N frames? If not cokes, what would they be called? Were the K frame target grips made in different sizes?

I tried locating the thread that showed a pictorial progression of the S&W grips, but could not find it. Does anyone have it handy?

Thanks, Steve

 

[65Whelen]

Same question. Same grips.

 

[s&wchad]

Those are all just K frame diamond target stocks. “Special Diamond Target Stocks” (aka Cokes) were only made for the N frame. I’ve owned a few pair of Cokes that were shaved to fit a K frame, but your don’t fit that category.

This K-38 Masterpiece has a set of N frame Cokes that were butchered to fit a K frame. People doing this back then had no idea what unaltered Cokes would be worth in the future!

 

[gmborkovic]

All ways look for the larger field of checking and "smile" under the medallion.

 

[444 Magnum]

Those are all just K frame diamond target stocks.

Thanks, Chad.
What accounts for the differences in size? Is this simply different workers on different days or were the K frame targets available in various sizes?

 

[s&wchad]

Thanks, Chad.
What accounts for the differences in size? Is this simply different workers on different days or were the K frame targets available in various sizes?

K frame target stocks were not available to the consumer in different sizes, but they did evolve over time. We’ve seen differences in the girth, the size of the extractor cut (football) and the checkering area. I’m sure it was done to make them easier to manufacture and to reduce cost.

 

[22hipower]

Yes, K targets but there was a fair amount of variation in them over the years. I can't find the post but there was one not too long ago mentioning that these were produced in batches of 36 (as I remember) with several different settings/guides whatever the proper terminology is. Here are some of my K non-relieved targets that show some of that variation, especially the checkering patterns. We've admired here before the possibility that there were indeed K frame "cokes" but the consensus as mentioned above, is that none of those were made.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2nEY3Ze https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[444 Magnum]

I can't find the post but there was one not too long ago mentioning that these were produced in batches of 36 (as I remember) with several different settings/guides whatever the proper terminology is.

That would explain a lot. There is quite a difference in girth in the two pair I have pictured.

Thanks, guys, for the answers.

 

[AC Man]

If I may add to the post. I have what looks like the OP's large grips on my K frame Model 13 - 2 357 from around 1975. The exception is mine has a shinny back washer and mine have NO diamond cut out at the screw. What's that all about? I had these grips installed the day I bought the gun new from the gun shop. Still have the tiny original stocks as well.

One other thing, my upsized grips also have the number 186 hand written on the inside of both sides in what looks like grease pen. Any Idea what this means?

Didn't mean to hijack here, just wanted to keep it going.

 

[22hipower]

If I may add to the post. I have what looks like the OP's large grips on my K frame Model 13 - 2 357 from around 1975. The exception is mine has a shinny back washer and mine have NO diamond cut out at the screw. What's that all about? I had these grips installed the day I bought the gun new from the gun shop. Still have the tiny original stocks as well.

One other thing, my upsized grips also have the number 186 hand written on the inside of both sides in what looks like grease pen. Any Idea what this means?

Didn't mean to hijack here, just wanted to keep it going.

In the '50s and early '60s (maybe through the '60s) the washers were black, then went to silver in the '70s/'80s, someone probably knows the specific years of the change, and then to no washers in the '90s. (All from memory, I might be close on the timeframes though).

The diamonds around the screw went away about 1968; slightly different dates for K versus N or maybe it was magna versus targets. Which is why many here call them "diamond targets" or "non-diamond targets." Don't have my books with me and memory is far from perfect; this getting old thing is not for sissies. Not sure that the 186 means anything but if it does someone here will surely know/remember. Hope that info helps a little anyway.

Jeff

 

[AC Man]

Yes, helps a lot. I have 10.5" hands which is pretty much XXXL. There was no way the childs cap gun size grips would work. So I had the large stocks installed. They feel to me the same as all my checkerd large revolver grips.