What are "coke bottle grips". There is a set for a 44 mag on eBay for over $400. I've never heard of this term and I've never seen a set of pistol grips for $400. What gives?

They are the original grips found on the .44 Magnum Model (Pre Model 29), and the early model 29's as well. Some were S/N to the gun.

The major difference is that they will have one large diamond shaped uncut area around the screw hole. Similar in that respect to the two diamonds on the grips of an original Colt 1911 (not 1911A1). Also the chequering is usually of better quality and the wood has a rich reddish-brown (like a Coca-Cola or Pepsi) colour.

They are sometimes also called "Target Grips" in later S & W catalogues. We in Great Briatain oif course had been banned from owning handguns since 1997. But I did once have a early S & W Model 57 and Model 29 with such grips.

They get the name 'cokes' from the shape seen when they are viewed from the rear of the gun. The grips look like a coke bottle with the curves from top to bottom. They tend to sell for a high dollar-- $350 to $500 depending on condition, wood and checkered or not. Further information can be found on the Smith & wesson forum.