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January 16, 2015
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Just wanted to get an idea of how common the Nickel finished Dan Wessons are. I have a model D-11 three barrel set from 1972-1973 with the original box for the revolver with 2-1/2" barrel, plus two barrel boxes with the 4" and 6" barrels. All have original nickel finishes, but I think it was pre-pistol pac because the 4" & 6" barrels have the recessed nuts, whereas the 2-1/2" barrel that came with the revolver has the exposed nut. The approximate date is from the barrel wrappers for the 4" & 6" barrels dated 1972, and the registration card for the revolver dated April 1973. I have a few ads from old gun magazines offering the Dan Wesson revolvers in nickel finish but very rarely see them. Any of you members come across them at the shows? This is the first firearm that I ever bought and is the centerpiece of my modest collection.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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Welcome to the DWF.
Sounds like a beautiful set you have there.
How about posting some 
-Mike
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Pictures of this set would be great to see, there are a couple of dates/styles that are not adding up.
14/15 series revolvers came out in 1971 and they had a recessed barrel nut, 11/12 series was earlier and had the exposed barrel nut. There may be some "mix and match" going on here.
DW did offer Nickel as a factory finish option, it's very possible that all the pieces are factory original nickel.
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
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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to the forum! Sounds like you scored some beautiful guns. I know you'll love shooting them. Show us some pics when you get a chance.
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Welcome to the forum. They say pictures are worth a thousand words.
Dans Club
April 18, 2014
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Welcome to DWF. Sounds like a real treat you got. How about showing it off so we can get some kind of ideas. We love ... 
, there I said it...
Oath Keeper #021479 NRA #206814004
Member AAGSR Member AGA #83120600233
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
Richard Henry Lee
American Statesman, 1788
September 1, 2010
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Welcome to the forum from Tennessee.
January 16, 2015
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I'll try to get some pics up today. It is definitely a mix and match set, but they are all from when the early 11 and 12s were being made alongside the 14 and 15s. They at least made them until 1973 according to magazine ads.
January 16, 2015
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And thanks for all the welcomes. This is a great forum!
January 16, 2015
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The D-11 was came with the 2" exposed nut barrel in the original box with an original registration card dated 1973. My best guess from the serial number is that it was made in 1971 or 1972. I acquired the 4" and 6" Model 15 barrels later, both new in the box with barrel wrappers dated 1972.
December 19, 2014
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Dang, that's nice. I kind of like the idea of the shorter barrel having the exposed nut and the longer ones flush. Don't know why, just seems to appeal to my eye. Of course, I'm one of those weird porkchop kind-of-guys (I've passed up later 15-2's specifically looking for a reasonable 15 porkchop).
Oh, and there's a nickel DW on GB that's starting to get bid up
Dans Club
April 18, 2014
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Very nice! Very nice..
Oath Keeper #021479 NRA #206814004
Member AAGSR Member AGA #83120600233
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
Richard Henry Lee
American Statesman, 1788
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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No way to say for sure, but DW did do "factory" nickel during that time period. Factory nickel was done in the style of your gun, black trigger and hammer.
I would say that this is probably original nickel, and in very good condition.
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
January 16, 2015
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All boxes are marked Nickel so it's all original. The only problem is that the model 15 sights are way too tall and the model 14 sights are way too short. The D-11 has the rear dovetail which is a different height. So the 4" and 6" obviously didn't come with the D-11 but they are the same finish from the same time period (1971-1973).
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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jefphs said
All boxes are marked Nickel so it's all original. The only problem is that the model 15 sights are way too tall and the model 14 sights are way too short. The D-11 has the rear dovetail which is a different height. So the 4" and 6" obviously didn't come with the D-11 but they are the same finish from the same time period (1971-1973).
Click the EWK link on the right of this screen, Eric should be able to make you a couple correct height front sights for those shrouds.
Congrats on your find, that's a nice set!
January 16, 2015
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Thanks a lot for the tip! I ordered their model 14 sights which is how I found out they wouldn't work. Never thought to ask them about making D-11 sights. I shoot it very rarely but it's such an amazing revolver. Not a even a hair of creep in the trigger. Super predictable and accurate with all three barrels. Even with the high sights they're great for target shooting. First revolver I ever acquired and it made me a Dan Wesson fan for life.
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