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May 11, 2009
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I'm new to the forum, but not new to the Dan Wesson product line..I have a question regarding the color of factory original pistol pack cases, so I thought I'd ask the experts…Therefore, any feedback from forum members will be greatly appreciated…I recently acquired a Dan Wesson pistol pack..case only…It is used and was for sale at my local gun shop..All the one's I've seen in the past have always had a dark brown exterior with a yellow cloth covering the foam interior with cut-outs for the different size barrels, revolver, buckle, etc……this one is black, with a black cloth covering the foam interior..with cut-outs for the 2″, 4″, 6″ and 8″ barrel attached to the revolver, a square cut-out for a buckle and other cut-out for barrel tool, etc…Just curious as to which model originally came with a black case…thanks from the bluegrassstate..
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February 28, 2009
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BGS. WE need pics. 
Personally, I have 7 standard size PP cases and 1 small DW case. All are brown. I have never seen, nor heard of a black one before. Does it have any markings, like a label glued to the aluminum band around the case? Most PP cases did have a label to identify the model and the included barrels. Does it even have an aluminum band around the case? In other words is it the same style case?
Again, welcome to the DWF.
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January 24, 2009
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During the relatively limited time I've been paying close attention to the DW stuff, I've seen a couple black cases. One is an early "Porkchop" PP & had no cloth inside...
[Image Can Not Be Found]
[Image Can Not Be Found]
...the other was a later Palmer (I think) Pac. In both cases, I've noticed the lid support rod is on the left side. Tan cases seem to always have the support rod on the right.
December 17, 2008
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Nice pictures Charger - model 15 'chop Pistol Pac mmmmm.....mmmmmm.
This is rank speculation, but here goes:
First pacs appear to be in that "Penguin Field Grade" like the W12's are in. No cloth liner.
Next evolution: Black case like the model 15 chop you show. No cloth liner. Low volume. Your picture is the only one I've seen. Very cool that it has the factory label!!How long were they used? To be determined.
Next evolution: Brown cases we're all used to seeing. Originally no cloth, cloth appears to be added ~1977? Popular, high volume, used for years.
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January 24, 2009
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Dusty, sounds like a perfect timeline to me. I wish I'd thought to grab a pic of the other one I saw. Oh well, I'll keep my eyes open.
Since we're on the subject, this is a question that's been burning in my wee brain for a while now...why do we seldom see one of the Norwich Pacs pop up for sale? You'd think that these particular ones would surface fairly frequently, but they don't.
These Norwich Pac's are really classy, IMO.
[Image Can Not Be Found]
December 17, 2008
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Agreed, what a beauty! I have only seen a couple.
-->The number of pacs made for each model, at each location, would be a great piece of info to assemble.
It might actually be possible to get it from Norwich without unearthing inaccessible archives...
March 22, 2016
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resurrection... because I was pricing cases as I have one i'm considering to sell to another member hopefully...
ran across the black one on flea bay, kinda funky,
August 28, 2009
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I had one black one come through a couple years ago, but that's it. There may have been just a period of time when the case supplier had black instead of brown so they shipped in black cases. It doesn't really have any significance in terms of rarity or value. Frankly, I don't think any of the original cases are worth the near $300 they're bringing these days and one went last month for over $400. There's a lot of good cases on the market these days for $300.
Charger Fan said
Since we're on the subject, this is a question that's been burning in my wee brain for a while now...why do we seldom see one of the Norwich Pacs pop up for sale? You'd think that these particular ones would surface fairly frequently, but they don't.
These Norwich Pac's are really classy, IMO.
To answer your question CF.....I asked R. Serva about these a couple years back - he advised that there were only about 20 - 25 of these that went out the door during his regime (this was speaking only of the 715 pack). This would explain why they rarely come up. I've had the pleasure of acquiring 3 of them, 2 of which still remain in captivity. 1 of the 2 is brand new and unmolested in every respect - a real gem. Google Images search "Dan Wesson 715 Pack" - the first image is the one I cut loose.
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March 25, 2013
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I wish I could learn to post pictures. Maybe my good buddy will teach me. I have a case that I think is a late Palmer case. Black and thin and the latches rotate. Palmer also used the familiar brown and black earlier. Dusty has the early chronology correct I believe.
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December 5, 2008
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Dusty did get it pretty well timed. I had an early 15-2 with pinned front sights in a black case with no cloth. It did have matching label on case. I think it was a 1976 PAC. My 2nd DW and first PAC..
February 16, 2016
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March 22, 2016
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Stinger said
man of blues said
resurrection... because I was pricing cases as I have one i'm considering to sell to another member hopefully...ran across the black one on flea bay, kinda funky,
Yep, that one is on my Watch List. A black case would help me identify which case held what stuff.
hang tight brother, hold your urge to bid until you get my p/m, that black one has a damaged handle... and no keys, just saying.. I think all the ones I'm seeing have no keys...
February 16, 2016
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Ole Dog said
I wish I could learn to post pictures. Maybe my good buddy will teach me.
Yeah, I got your back ... we can spend some time going over these easy steps when you give me the "DW 101" class tomorrow.
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January 24, 2009
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harly said
To answer your question CF.....I asked R. Serva about these a couple years back - he advised that there were only about 20 - 25 of these that went out the door during his regime (this was speaking only of the 715 pack). This would explain why they rarely come up. I've had the pleasure of acquiring 3 of them, 2 of which still remain in captivity. 1 of the 2 is brand new and unmolested in every respect - a real gem. Google Images search "Dan Wesson 715 Pack" - the first image is the one I cut loose.
I had no idea they made so few, so it does make sense that they don't pop up very often. Thanks for the info.
(Edited myself to remove conflicting info. That's what I get for posting from work)
Since we're on the subject (and to help answer future questions), the very first Pac cases in 1970 looked like this. A dark green, almost brown color, with green foam inside. These were used on the W12 models.
February 16, 2016
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Charger Fan said the very first Pac cases in 1970 looked like this. A dark green, almost brown color, with green foam inside. These were used on the W12 models.
Cool info and better with pics, thanks for sharing. I'd heard that the 11 & 12 Pac's came with a grip blank and there it is.
Great stuff ! 
Range Officer
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February 28, 2009
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Wow! I didn't know I owned a DW piece that was that rare.
I'm so glad mine is in much better shape than that one and has all of it's parts. Being that rare it must be worth eleven million dollars. Any takers? 
-Mike
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March 2, 2008
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zoommb said
Wow! I didn't know I owned a DW piece that was that rare.I'm so glad mine is in much better shape than that one and has all of it's parts. Being that rare it must be worth eleven million dollars. Any takers?
-Mike
OK, I'm in for 10M. Once the check clears, let me know 
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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December 4, 2011
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I've not personally seen any of the cases with the rotating handles, that's pretty cool. I have several of the 'Samsonite' style black cases, the oldest is original home to a W-12 Pistol Pac, still has sticker on the edge. Another is a 15 porkchop pac.
The black cases originally came with no fabric, just bare foam. The later brown cases had the gold material.
I have an interesting Palmer case, came with a 44 mag compensated fixed barrel hunter pac style. 
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
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If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
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February 16, 2016
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Camo foam .. Awesome !!!
March 22, 2016
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Stinger said
Camo foam .. Awesome !!!
show the folks your new PP, I'm sure you could get offers.... 
I've not seen one in much better shape, and if someone scrubbed the aluminum parts, it would be "uber awesome"
oops, my bad...
peace bro, gimme a call..
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