early Dan Wesson .357 revolver info?

vega75

May 01, 2003 08:25

Is there someone out there that has considerable knowledge on the early Dan Wesson .357 revolvers made by the first company, Dan Wesson arms? I need info before purchasing one. I can send you a photo. Serial # is 007 and only D stamped on crane. 8" barrel full underlug and vent rib, all factory.
Thanks! Harry

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  gunnut505

  May 01, 2003 16:33

  I'll take it! Seriously though, what's your question?
  
  If you know it all; you must have been listening.WEAR EAR PROTECTION!

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  vega75

  May 02, 2003 08:16

  I've read that the earliest dan wessons were so badly made that they almost went out of business.

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  vipereater

  May 02, 2003 09:19

  No, its mine. I find that early serial numbers are VERY desirable in any make and model. Your main concern should be "is this gun authentic?". I'm not a Dan Wesson expert so I can't answer your question. If you want this gun (I'm assuming your not a collector) as a shooter then you should pass on it if functionality is a concern. A collector on the other hand will eat this gun up.
  
  Vipereater

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  drjinc

  May 02, 2003 10:50

  Hello
  I humbly disaggree with vipereater on passing it up if you want it as a shooter.I have several older Dan Wesson Arms 357mag revolvers and they are great shooters and are very reliable and well made.The ones I have have the vent heavy barrels and I believe that is the one you are talking about.I saw a Dan Wesson on this site with the 007 serial number I am not sure if this is the one you are looking at or not if it is not then there may be somthing up with the 007.
  
  Fear the goverment that fears your guns!

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  punchie

  May 02, 2003 13:28

  I have 1st,2nd and 3rd manufacture DWs and have nothing but praise for them. The 2nd manufacture (Palmer,MA) guns have a reputation for not being of the best quality but I have had no problems with mine.
  
  AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY

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  JudgeColt

  May 02, 2003 16:53

  I have always been a fan of Dan Wesson revolers (love those "Pistol Pacs"), but I do not believe this one is a true "early one." The early DW revolvers I have seen have the ugly exposed front barrel nut and the barrel with the "tail" sticking down at the rear of the barrel where the "tail" meets the frame. Is that how this revolver looks? I have never seen one of those early DW revolvers with an underlug barrel.
  
  In checking my old records for the 1970s, I find no letters assoicated with the serial numbers. I did not follow the line as it progressed through its various owners in later years, so I really do not know whether the "D" indicates a later reincarnation of the line, or whether it is just an assembly mark, or a new serial range, etc.. Arguing against this being an early gun with the "D" meaning nothing is the fact that it is unlikely that leading zeros would have been used in the serial number. If leading zeros, why two and not three or four or more?
  
  Are there any DW experts that could enlighten us on this revolver's age? It does not sound like an early one to me, although it may be an "early" revolver in a later series.

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  CountryGunsmith

  May 02, 2003 17:00

  No surprise, the Judge is correct. The earliest Dan Wesson revolvers had an exposed barrel nut; that changed in 1971. We'd need to know how the gun is marked.
  
  
  
  FFL Dealer, Class 07/02 Mfg

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