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April 25, 2008
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After the IHMSA built it's permanent range in Idaho Falls, they started accepting donations for the Eastern permanent range. Up until 1983, the annual Internationals championship match had been floating around the country to various ranges, with individual clubs bidding on holding the match. As silhouetting grew, it became more of a logistical problem for small clubs to take on the task of major expansion for the big match, which was getting well over 1100 entries.
After the problems with the 1982 Internationals in Indiana, the Board decided to have 2 permanent ranges built, just for the Internationals. The first one was built in time for the 1984 competition near the IHMSA headquarters in Idaho. With this done, it was time to start gathering funds for an eastern range.
This ad was in the October 1984 issue of The Silhouette:
"SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR EASTERN RANGE
We have a special edition of Blue Dan Wesson .44 Magnum revolvers serial numbered IHMSA-26 through IHMSA-126. Part of these are the 44VH-8 model which is the heavy shroud ventilated rib gun with 8-inch barrel. The rest are 44V-10 model as shown above with the light shroud and 10-inch barrel. Both are the most popular silhouette models that Dan Wesson makes.
These are being offered = your choice of models - at a net member price of $299.50 (plus $3 insurance and shipping). For each gun sold, THE SILHOUETTE will donate $10 to the Eastern Range Fund.
Please note: Do not request a specific serial number. They will be shipped in the order that orders are received with the first order in for a 44VH-8 getting the LOWEST number available in that model. Same thing with the 44V-10.
For immediate action, and the lowest number possible, call THE SILHOUETTE today: 208-524-0880. Visa and MC cards accepted. Valid FFL needed."
The Savantist
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I really like the history info you're sharing with us. It seems that DW was pretty connected with IHMSA, were other manufacturers involved with IHMSA to this extent?
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
February 11, 2010
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I called ...but they were sold out 
-Blacktop
April 25, 2008
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Dan Wesson was the biggest, along with Thompson Center. Also United Sporting Arms, Remington and Wichita Arms. The Silhouette sold a lot of guns to it's members at great prices, plus accessories. Some of the other ones in the ads were:
Ruger
Abilene
Colt
High-Standard
Federal
Hornady
Sierra
Redding
Good one Blacktop 
Man, if only those prices were good today!
The Savantist
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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That's interesting, I wonder why they started with #26? Also, this would explain that not all DW's with IHMSA serial numbers necessarily went to a member with that matching member number.
Cool info, thanks for sharing.
April 25, 2008
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I think the first 25 serial numbers were reserved for other projects.
The Savantist
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