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April 11, 2013
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Hello, I just came into posession of a DW .357. It is mechanically sound but the finish was horrible. It looked as if someone poured something acidic on it and let it sit for a couple of years. Large sections of bluing were stripped away and even a small amount of pitting into the metal was found. Being new to the forum and unfamiliar with the format, I'll try to upload some before and after pics. Really great forum! Lot's of information.
Happiness is a warm gun...Oh yes it is!
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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to the forum from PA! That is a very interesting looking gun you have. How did you get the 'snake skin' look? The after pic is certainly a vast improvement over the before.
Who did the finish work for you?
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April 20, 2010
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Welcome to the forum, I would like to see more after pics, that is cool.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
April 11, 2013
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A very talented gunsmith from Belton,MO did the snake skin finish. His name is Robert Porter. You can find some of his examples on FB. If you look closely near the barrel end, he put flames on it too. I was giddy as a school girl when I saw it! I gave him a few guide lines but otherwise , he had complete artistic freedom. I wouldn't normally do anything this flashy on a classic like the DW but it was so damaged, it seemed like the obvious choice. I'm super happy with it!
Happiness is a warm gun...Oh yes it is!
April 11, 2013
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I'm waiting on a new grip and tools for it. I'll post a couple of new pics when it shows up. Thanks Guys! I'm still digging around the forum and learning more about the gun. Serial# is 125XXX, so if I'm reading the serial production list correctly, it was built around 76 or 77.
Happiness is a warm gun...Oh yes it is!
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February 22, 2009
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Is that a Hydro-graphic film he applied? That was a neat way to refinish and sure to turn heads on the range. Welcome!
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
April 11, 2013
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That's exactly right. It's a Hydrographics process.
Happiness is a warm gun...Oh yes it is!
Dans Club
October 17, 2008
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Welcome to the Forum, nice way to save a DW pretty cool looking.
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January 24, 2009
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Have you shot any snakes with it?
That's a pretty cool looking finish, I don't think I've seen something like that before on a gun.
aboard!
April 10, 2013
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Welcome forum from Ohio. I must say that's a one of a kind DW you got there. And I think you will like the 8inch barrel to me its prob. the largest barrel that you can shoot comfortably.
August 28, 2009
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Gotta love the snakeskin - definitely don't see one of those every day!
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October 11, 2009
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to
nice looking dan , Artex
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May 2, 2009
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nice looking finish--much better than the original pitting 
SHOOT
April 11, 2013
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Yea, it looked bad. The before pic actually is a little too dark to show all of the cosmetic damage. The frame and cylinder also had large areas of bluing missing. The gunsmith noted that the gun had very little evidence of being fired. I'm replacing the grip(I'm a southpaw) and the front sight with an EWK fiber optic. It should be ready to go after that. I'm having issues with the rear sight windage adjustment. I'll post in the appropiate section for that.
Happiness is a warm gun...Oh yes it is!
April 11, 2013
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All of the upgrades are complete. I took it to the range finally and what a tack driver! I bought this to recondition and sell, take the profits and buy something like a GP 100. But jeesh! This is better than any Ruger! I think the hook is set.
Happiness is a warm gun...Oh yes it is!
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July 2, 2011
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Ohhh yeah... hook is set all right. Early onset symptoms of 
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
May 10, 2013
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Man I love that snakeskin finish. What a unique, and smart way to save this honey of a pistol. As for the Ruger, I think you are smarter keeping the Dan. I was hunting a GP100 for a while, but the Dan Wesson (IMHO) is superior. My father just purchased a Ruger, I can't wait to have him shoot my model 15. I think he will look at his piece differently.
Anyway, I love what you did with that 15.
Red
April 11, 2013
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I appreciate your input Red. I'm quite happy with the finish too. I hope it holds up. I plan to put some serious rounds through it. I'm thinking of reducing the cylinder/barrel gap to .004 to minimize the possibility of scorching the finish around the cylinder. It's kinda of a safe queen at this point. After all it's been through, I think it deserves a little TLC. I took it out again today and put another box through it. I just can't get over how comfortable it is to shoot!
Happiness is a warm gun...Oh yes it is!
April 13, 2013
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What a fantastic finish, that is cool.
gone are the days of classic colours!
what sort of cost was involved in getting that done?
April 11, 2013
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Thanks als1200, it was aprox. 25 to 30% of the total value of a 15-2 in very good condition. I'd be reluctant to do it to a gun that had a good factory finish. It would place it far above retail value.
Happiness is a warm gun...Oh yes it is!
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