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October 11, 2009
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I'm sure this has been brought up before. But have you more "seasoned" Dan Wesson lovers ever noticed how the other major revolver brands have adopted a lot
of Mr Lewis and Mr Wesson's designs over the years? Two piece barrels, front cylinder release securing the yoke to the frame, flat muzzle instead of a crown, adjustable trigger stop, grip stud instead of a flared frame and interchangeable front colored sights. They really were ahead of their time.
October 17, 2017
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Yes, both men were definitely forward thinking individuals with the talent and skills to make their ideas a reality. It's only natural that other makers would eventually adopt these improvements into their own products. So, as you say, they were ahead of their time.
While still at Colt in 1968, Lewis did a lot of design work on the Trooper MK lll, and two of the improvements were the transfer bar safety and the coil mainspring. Both of these were borrowed from the Iver Johnson revolver of 1896. Now that's definitely forward thinking!
If you know the Colt Trooper MK lll, then this illustration should look familiar. Both components were also incorporated into the Dan Wesson revolver.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Bob Serva licensed the barrel and shroud patents to Smith and Wesson. Smith uses it on the N Frame, and X frame guns. In exchange, Smith was going to manufacture frames for Dan Wesson to use the interchangable barrels on. They made 6 prototypes of each caliber. I know they made 45acp, 44 mag, 22lr, 357 mag and maybe a couple of others. When Serva sold DW to CZ the project was shelved. I have a 357 stainless Smithdan. Serva sold it on Gunbroker and I stole it from that buyer. One of my most treasured guns. I only have on Barrel assembly. Instead of a roll pin locating the shroud there is a small tang on the top of the shroud that fits into a slot in the frame. The seller also had it engraved by a promising young engraver. And 3 grips made that that look like DW target grips but fit the Smith grip frame.
Korth and Manurhin also copied DW barrel and shroud but with different tech. As did Janz Alfa Proj.
Smith only sells barrel tools to FFLs and Gunsmiths. The selection of N frame barrel lengths is limited but there are more choices for the 460 and 500.
October 17, 2017
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Ole Dog, we would love to see a photo of that revolver if you possibly could manage it. Perhaps you could provide some drool cups for us to purchase in advance. I'm sure it is one beautiful revolver!!
February 16, 2016
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3ric said
Ole Dog, we would love to see a photo of that revolver if you possibly could manage it.
Yeah ... then one will be for sale online at GunBroker (with that same pic) the following day. 
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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No, That's Armslist….
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I will photograph it and send it to Stinger to put on Armslist, and the forum. Lol.
February 16, 2016
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Ole Dog said
I will photograph it and send it to Stinger to put on Armslist, and the forum. Lol.
Cool ... wonder how much I can rake in from that scam ?
(Just kidding, not how I roll)
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Here are some photos from Ole Dog:
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I am so sorry for the bad pictures. So, this is serialized JM 00034. JM stands for Jim Cirillo. A famous lawman and gunfighter who thought that Smith frames and Dan Wesson barrels were the cat's meow. The single biggest complaint about DW Revolvers seems to be the strangeness of the front lockup. It is slower to reload but no danger of accidentally opening the cylinder during a gunfight. If you are a lefty you have to switch hands to open the cylinder. However, leftys like me have to switch hands anyway to open the cylinder of Smiths and Colts. One would think Gun Makers would make a few left handed Revolvers. 
February 16, 2016
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I really like the engraving ... not too ostentatious.
October 17, 2017
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Very cool revolver!! Nice engraving too.
My personal choice for a FrankenDan revolver would be a Colt Trooper MK V. The hammer throw would be similar to the DW, and the clockwise rotating cylinder would also be familiar. The cylinder latch would be the only thing to get used to.
The only left handed revolver I know of is the Charter Arms Southpaw. Obviously not a great revolver, but could be serviceable as a nightstand gun.
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