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December 13, 2023
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I'm guessing based off what I read that this gun was made in the early 70's. Does anyone know the exact year? S# 5845 under cylinder latch.
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Welcome to the thread from PA!!!
Someone here will know.
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DWF Supporters
June 11, 2016
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Welcome tp the Forum from Wisconsin.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Up to serial number 10,000, models 8,9,11 and 12 were made from the beginning of 1970 to the beginning of 1971. You can extrapolate to approximate the month. Congratulations on a fabulous gun.
December 13, 2023
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Ole Dog said
Up to serial number 10,000, models 8,9,11 and 12 were made from the beginning of 1970 to the beginning of 1971. You can extrapolate to approximate the month. Congratulations on a fabulous gun.
Thanks, I appreciate it! It is in pretty good condition for a 53 year old gun. Do you happen to know if hot loads such as Underwood hardcast 180gr 1400fps 784ft. Lbs are safe to use in these guns?
October 17, 2017
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Any SAAMI rated ammo (the loading you described is one) will not damage a W12. The recoil will be extreme, but that’s what some shooters enjoy. I’ve shot them all; from the lowly .22 lr on up to the S&W .500 Magnum, but the .357 Magnum was first magnum, and Douglas B. Wesson took at least one of every large game animal on the North American continent with a S&W registered magnum in 1935. The load was a 158 grain semi jacketed soft point at 1500 fps. The Underwood ammo described above would be perhaps even more devastating, but it wouldn’t blow up a W12.
February 16, 2016
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to the 
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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December 13, 2023
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3ric said
Any SAAMI rated ammo (the loading you described is one) will not damage a W12. The recoil will be extreme, but that’s what some shooters enjoy. I’ve shot them all; from the lowly .22 lr on up to the S&W .500 Magnum, but the .357 Magnum was first magnum, and Douglas B. Wesson took at least one of every large game animal on the North American continent with a S&W registered magnum in 1935. The load was a 158 grain semi jacketed soft point at 1500 fps. The Underwood ammo described above would be perhaps even more devastating, but it wouldn’t blow up a W12.
Sweet, thanks! I'll have to try hunting with it sometime. Will be a challenge in MT though.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Try dropping down on an elk from a low pine branch with the gun in one hand while you encircle it's neck with the other arm. Ala Tarzan. Then blast away.
You may want to upgrade the lock work to a later hand and handspring. The early 11s and 12s have a handspring that wraps around the hand and rubs against the sideplate, causing a failure. The first change Dan Wesson did was to make the spring fit into a slot in the back of the hand. Supposedly around serial number 10,000.
December 13, 2023
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Ole Dog said
Try dropping down on an elk from a low pine branch with the gun in one hand while you encircle it's neck with the other arm. Ala Tarzan. Then blast away.You may want to upgrade the lock work to a later hand and handspring. The early 11s and 12s have a handspring that wraps around the hand and rubs against the sideplate, causing a failure. The first change Dan Wesson did was to make the spring fit into a slot in the back of the hand. Supposedly around serial number 10,000.
I'll make sure to catch that action on a gopro.
Any idea where to find compatible parts or which parts can be used to do those upgrades?
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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EBay. Hands are fitted parts but most used hands will time. You can buy an unused one and fit it or have it fitted or try a used one. Or two.
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