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March 27, 2013
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I just bought my first Dan Wesson, 44 Magnum 8" heavy barrel. Shot some rounds through it..awesome! Got a 357 Magnum on the way already. Curious about something on my 44. It has a jeweled trigger and hammer. Couldn't seem to run across much info with that feature. Didn't know if that was standard on this model or optional. Hoping I could determine an exact model #, year of manufacture and approximate value. Gun is in absolutely wonderful condition. Looking forward to getting acquainted with the many members of this forum.
Dans Club
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April 20, 2010
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Welcome to the forum from PA. I have never seen a Dan Wesson with any factory jeweled parts, so I am fairly certain that your trigger and hammer were done later at some point. It does look nicely done. Since your revolver is blued, the model # is simply 44. A stainless .44 magnum would be a 744.
To get an idea of build year, check out the serial number chart under 'archives' in the top header of this page.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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To add to lonwolf's reply, The good news is 1. It's a great looking specimin and 2. Since someone jewelled the hammer, I'm sure they worked the action as well and I'd bet the trigger breaks like glass!
Welcome to DWF, where we help you spend money!
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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January 24, 2009
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I agree, so far I haven't seen any documented factory jeweled DW hammers & triggers, so I can only assume that yours was done by a gunsmith sometime after it left DW. I must say though, that it appears that someone did a nice job!
Since yours has a short hammer spur, I assume that your s/n is in the range of 103xx or less, but greater than 500. Let me know if I'm in the ballpark.
This gun would probably have been built around 1981...give or take a few months.
March 27, 2013
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rwsem said
To add to lonwolf's reply, The good news is 1. It's a great looking specimin and 2. Since someone jewelled the hammer, I'm sure they worked the action as well and I'd bet the trigger breaks like glass!Welcome to DWF, where we help you spend money!
Like really thin glass. I have a S&W Miculek 45 ACP which has a wonderful action but this one tops it.
March 27, 2013
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Charger Fan said
I agree, so far I haven't seen any documented factory jeweled DW hammers & triggers, so I can only assume that yours was done by a gunsmith sometime after it left DW. I must say though, that it appears that someone did a nice job!Since yours has a short hammer spur, I assume that your s/n is in the range of 103xx or less, but greater than 500. Let me know if I'm in the ballpark.
You're mighty close, it's a 102xx. Is there a nomenclature to the serial numbers or are they just a sequential assignment?
Loaded a batch of 240 grain FMJRNFP with some Unique 9.5 - 10.6 (.1 grain increments) Got some good groups at 9.6, 10.3, 10.5 Plan on loading some 2400, IMR4227 and H110.
August 28, 2009
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+1 on the hammer and trigger...someone did a nice job and it looks great. A far cry from that POS jewel job that was showing up a year ago with complete coverage on SS!
March 27, 2013
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harly said
+! on the hammer and trigger...someone did a nice job and it looks great. A far cry from that POS jewel job that was showing up a year ago with complete coverage on SS!
Thanks. Lucky added goody when I picked it up. I am going to contact the seller and see if I can find out if he has any record of who his father utilized.
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January 24, 2009
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gunswoodguitars said
You're mighty close, it's a 102xx. Is there a nomenclature to the serial numbers or are they just a sequential assignment?
The numbers were sequential. The only ones that weren't were custom special requested s/n's. Your short spur gun has a high s/n, it wasn't long after yours was made when they switched to the long hammer spurs. That's pretty neat.
March 27, 2013
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I spotted another 357. It is a Monson. Serial is stamped 357 B0038xx. Has an adjustable rear sight. Seems that might be a fairly older model. Trying to determine a value. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
January 22, 2008
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Welcome to the forum! It looks like DWAS has got a hold of you! Nice looking 44. Hope you enjoy the site!
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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That style of serial numbering seems to have started in the mid-later 80's across all the DW models. A 15-2 earlier than that will probably have a "numbers only" S/N. A sure way to identify the earlier production 15-2's is to look for recessed chambers and an overtravel screw that is in the trigger.
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
March 27, 2013
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Jody said
Welcome to the forum! It looks like DWAS has got a hold of you! Nice looking 44. Hope you enjoy the site!
Thank you. I'm bit, what can I say? Everyone here has been great!
March 27, 2013
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Steve CT said
That style of serial numbering seems to have started in the mid-later 80's across all the DW models. A 15-2 earlier than that will probably have a "numbers only" S/N. A sure way to identify the earlier production 15-2's is to look for recessed chambers and an overtravel screw that is in the trigger.
I have a Monson 357 kit, serial #2562xx that has recessed cylinders but no overtravel screw. Do I have a mid-year change-over model lol?
My 44, on the other hand, has the overtravel screw but does not have a recessed chamber.
Too bad there wasn't some official documentation that survived for public use on all of this!
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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The recessed chamber and overtravel screw were a couple of noticeable changes made in the manufacturing process at no known or specific date, they just phased out (recessed chamber) or changed style (overtravel screw moved to frame mounted behind the trigger).
I don't believe the large frame guns ever had recessed chambers.
The only "documentation" we can get on some of this stuff is whatever we can figure out way after the fact.
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
March 27, 2013
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Steve CT said
The recessed chamber and overtravel screw were a couple of noticeable changes made in the manufacturing process at no known or specific date, they just phased out (recessed chamber) or changed style (overtravel screw moved to frame mounted behind the trigger).I don't believe the large frame guns ever had recessed chambers.
The only "documentation" we can get on some of this stuff is whatever we can figure out way after the fact.
Thanks Steve!
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January 24, 2009
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gunswoodguitars said
I have a Monson 357 kit, serial #2562xx that has recessed cylinders but no overtravel screw. Do I have a mid-year change-over model lol?
Look closer at your gun, you should have a screw in one of the two locations. The earlier screw location was on the back side of the trigger & can often go unnoticed. It's even hard to photograph (for me, anyway).
Later on, the screw was moved to the frame & is much more visible.
March 27, 2013
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Charger Fan said
gunswoodguitars said
I have a Monson 357 kit, serial #2562xx that has recessed cylinders but no overtravel screw. Do I have a mid-year change-over model lol?
Look closer at your gun, you should have a screw in one of the two locations. The earlier screw location was on the back side of the trigger & can often go unnoticed. It's even hard to photograph (for me, anyway).
Later on, the screw was moved to the frame & is much more visible.
Now I see her, mine is identical..she's in black camo. Thanks!
March 27, 2013
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gunswoodguitars said
Charger Fan said
gunswoodguitars said
I have a Monson 357 kit, serial #2562xx that has recessed cylinders but no overtravel screw. Do I have a mid-year change-over model lol?
Look closer at your gun, you should have a screw in one of the two locations. The earlier screw location was on the back side of the trigger & can often go unnoticed. It's even hard to photograph (for me, anyway).
Later on, the screw was moved to the frame & is much more visible.
Now I see her, mine is identical..she's in black camo. Thanks!
Now that's the Bluest Bluing job I've ever seen! BB King must have been looking at that when he wrote, "How Blue Can You Get?"
March 27, 2013
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Question about barrels: My shroud has the 2 rectangular ports on the top just behind the front sights. The barrel itself however is not ported. Should it have a ported barrel? Would I want a ported barrel and what benefits would that offer?
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