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December 4, 2012
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I've searched the site and done some research and still can't find the answer, so here it goes. My apologies If I sound like I've been living underneath a rock for some years or I missed a discussion. I have been collecting for a while and thought I had at least a decent understanding of what happened over the years with the changing and different hands the company had gone through. I was always under the impression that there were generations/eras. Monson, Palmer and Norwich. In the mid 2000's I beleave 2006?, CZ acquired the DW name only, to there pistols? And that was when they were at the Norwich plant.
Recently I had called CZ, looking for some spare parts for some of my Dan's and was directed to the Norwich plant. The very nice informative lady informed me that they are still in fact operational, just as Bob Serva had it, however just owned by CZ. She said two separate plants, owned by one company, CZ. Also that they (Norwich) will be producing revolvers next year... Has anyone heard this or is this just a promo thing to keep it going? Or am I an idiot?
Also, If the Norwich plant is still operational, wouldn't or shouldn't they be able to produce serial number info? Or am I missing something here ?
Just a little confused and hope someone can shed a little light.
Thanks PS.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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First Step:
http://dwcollectors.org/history
Bob Serva began the 1911 aspect of the DW story, and continued to produce revolvers, but revolver production really started to fall off. CZ's primary interest was 1911's, although a couple of years ago the did a pretty poor job of trying to re-introduce the 715 with a very overpriced re-issue.
DW in Norwich has continued to provide great support for the DW revolvers, both parts and service. In late 2012 there was a fire in their facility that shut everything down for several months. After relocating locally in Norwich, things seem to back up to speed.
Anyone needing DW revolver support is best advised to contact DW in Norwich directly, CZ seems to do a pretty poor job of passing that kind of stuff through effectively.
Serial number info on Monson/Palmer guns dropped into a Never Never Land (more commonly known as BATFE) due to ownership changes and reorganizations internally in the pre-Serva era.
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
December 4, 2012
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So ATF seized records? I was under the understanding that in the event a firearms company goes out of business, that's what they do right?....However, technically speaking from what you have said and what I have learned is they never did go out of business? If this being the case, then why would the ATF have any jurisdiction in seizing records....Am I over thinkin this? Sorry, just curious.
Thanks.
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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I believe DW did go out of business for a short period before Bob Serva purchased it. Either way I don't believe the ATF really follows anybodies rules but what they want at the moment.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
Supporter
June 25, 2013
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Same experience here, I was redirected to the Norwich Location by a young fellow saying I would be farther ahead in doing so. It was true, I talked with Shelly about an order she said they would have a production run and expect it in 6 to 8 weeks. I said sounds good to me, ordered it Tuesday and it arrived today, Friday. No complaints from me. 
Endeavor to persevere,
Press on regardless.
Need little, want less, love more.
December 4, 2012
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Has anyone heard that they may in fact turn out revolvers in 2014? If so I hope they don't hurt the value of all our current Dan's like a certain motorcycle company did yrs ago....
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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PSMFG2 said
So ATF seized records? I was under the understanding that in the event a firearms company goes out of business, that's what they do right?....However, technically speaking from what you have said and what I have learned is they never did go out of business? If this being the case, then why would the ATF have any jurisdiction in seizing records....Am I over thinkin this? Sorry, just curious.
Thanks.
Not seized, the records became the property of (then) ATF. They then handled them in typical Govt/bureaucrat fashion and stored them. My guess is that they reside in Roswell with the aliens
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
August 28, 2009
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PSMFG2 said
Has anyone heard that they may in fact turn out revolvers in 2014? If so I hope they don't hurt the value of all our current Dan's like a certain motorcycle company did yrs ago....
If they do turn on the revolvers again most likely they will raise the value of your current holdings - they won't be cheap. Unless of course you're holding a 7414 or something like that and they produce those models. Hopefully they'll start up all the previous calibers again and everyone can have a chance to get the revolver they've always wanted, NEW.
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DWF Supporters
Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Even if they started full out revolver production I doubt it would water down the prices of the guns currently in existance. After all, previous production was finite and there are only so many Monson's, Palmer's and First Issue Norwich guns in existance. A new run would actually fuel DWAS as many of us would be flocking to build a collection of the 'New' run of Norwich II guns.
I know I'd love to order a 7460, and a 45LC pistol pac.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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CZ "screwed the pooch" on the last rollout, and they will again. They looked at the DW 1911 success story, and thought they could hit the same home run in the revolver market by leveraging the DW revolver heritage.
DID NOT WORK
Bring that same revolver into the marketplace at $700 AND support it with the full range of interchangeable barrels and grips, do some EWK type stuff with railed shrouds, make a Red Dot/Reflex sight package available, get Pachmayr to start making Grippers again, ...
The modular/interchangeable concept of DW revolvers is a success, CZ brought a "one trick pony" to the marketplace, and the marketplace said "meh!"
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
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January 24, 2009
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SCORPIO said
Even if they started full out revolver production I doubt it would water down the prices of the guns currently in existance. After all, previous production was finite and there are only so many Monson's, Palmer's and First Issue Norwich guns in existance. A new run would actually fuel DWAS as many of us would be flocking to build a collection of the 'New' run of Norwich II guns.I know I'd love to order a 7460, and a 45LC pistol pac.
Wow, if they started making the full line again, I would fall off my chair! The thought of being able to order a new 7414, would make my wallet pucker & leave a huge grin on my face.
April 4, 2013
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I know the general story about the loss of the S/N info to the ATF, but haven't really been involved in many discussions about it. Assuming that those records weren't used to shield workers from alien spacecraft radiation at Roswell, then they would be somewhere accessable to an BATFE worker, even current day. Does anyone suppose that they could be classified as public information and, as such, be obtained through an FOI request?
DW SS .44 Mag 4&8" bbls, Pointman EXP .45ACP
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I think it is pretty unlikely that one of the Federal Agencies that seem to be tasked to harassing Americans that are actively and currently pursing their shooting interests is ever going to unearth paper records from over three decades ago unless there is a major opportunity to screw over said Americans.
Who ever thought that any part of the American Governing Bureaucracy is actually here to help any of us?
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
Supporter
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January 24, 2009
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Steve CT said
Who ever thought that any part of the American Governing Bureaucracy is actually here to help any of us?
Not me, for one...
December 4, 2012
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Steve CT said
I think it is pretty unlikely that one of the Federal Agencies that seem to be tasked to harassing Americans that are actively and currently pursing their shooting interests is ever going to unearth paper records from over three decades ago unless there is a major opportunity to screw over said Americans.Who ever thought that any part of the American Governing Bureaucracy is actually here to help any of us?
I agree.... I figure we all have a better chance of seeing GOD, then this ever happening.
At any rate, Thanks All ! After my experience with Norwich, I was a lil confused and the whole,
"Things that make you go Hmmmm" started to set in.
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