What's the difference?...

Questions that come up frequently when I display often concern grips, or as S&W has always preferred to call them - stocks...One of the definitive reference books on S&W topics is the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson written by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas...The 5th edition was recently published, and is highly recommended, especially for information about peripherals such as stocks...

My article today is by no means definitive, or all-encompassing, but rather touching on a few points raised by those who visit my displays...The illustrations are from my own collection as of today...First is the seldom seen but much coveted Special Oversized Target Stock, or as they are commonly referred to - "Cokes"...They were tagged with the aforementioned sobriquet by observers who noted the "Coke bottle" shape presented when viewed from the rear, or backstrap area of the revolver...They were first offered as standard issue on the original .44 Magnum S&W revolvers in the mid 50's, and later on the .41 Magnum Model 57...This practice was discontinued circa 1964, and the more commonly seen Target Stocks replaced them, largely seen as a cost saving practice by the factory...

They are visibly distinctive in three areas:...First the extra wood centered around the screw escutcheons and smooth diamond surround fading to a slimmer checkered area then expanding again to the base and the upper crown give the "Coke bottle" shape...It should be remembered that these stocks were mostly fashioned and fitted by the hands of skilled craftsmen, and no two pair are likely to have identical dimensions...

The second distinction is in the checkered area of each panel which is notably larger than the standard Target Stocks of the era...This also resulted in a deeper and wider curve to the upper portion of the checkered area just under the S&W medallion...I refer to this as the "smile"...These stocks will also only ever be seen with blued stock washers on the inside holding the medallions in place...The later silver colored stock washers first appeared in a later decade...

The third distinction is also the easiest way to identify "Cokes"...When mounted on the gun and seen from the bottom, the panels assume an oval shape, whereas Standard Target Stocks have more of a rectangular shape with rounded corners...The photos below of the four pairs of Special Oversized Target Stocks in my collection are illustrative of the unique features described above...I do own one more pair which currently reside on the .44 Magnum revolver they left the factory with...They can be seen in the separate article for that gun...

A final note before going to the photos - Special Oversized Target Stocks could be specially ordered on any N Frame gun of that era, but merely seeing a revolver other than a .44 or .41 Magnum does not mean they are original...Only a letter from the S&WHF can confirm that...I further believe the stocks could be ordered as accessories by stocking dealers although I have never seen them in accessory packaging...

Click on any image to expand to full size...

I am also asked on occasion, "What are Presentation Stocks?"...Simply put they are Target Stocks finished without the checkered panels, resulting in a smooth and somewhat more refined appearance...In my opinion, the quality of the wood chosen for these is of a higher quality...Those illustrated below are from my collection, although I have others already mounted on my guns...Those who have seen the separate articles on my guns are already aware that the originality from the factory shipment can only be confirmed by letter...Mine include stocks made from Rosewood (seen on the left with the earlier blued stock washers) and Goncalo Alves (silver washers)...

Lastly I present for comparison a pair of standard Target Stocks in Goncalo Alves of early 60's vintage...In preparing for this article I realized this is the only pair from that era in my possession...I have plenty of later vintage, but all my earlier ones are on my guns...I should bear that in mind when I go shopping...