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October 26, 2023
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Hello, I picked up a DW 22 VH8 yesterday and am trying to get an idea on when it was manufactured but the more research I do it seems like the less I know. Any help would be appreciated. While researching I actually found an old for sale ad for the exact same gun I bought. It's linked below. Serial is 22B001719
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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Welcome to the forum. Dan Wesson's are like Lays Potato Chips. You can't buy just one! There are experts here that will answer your question soon. I'm going to take a guess and say 1982 I really have no idea. I'm going off of the kind of gun (Monson) and when they started making .22 LR. Will see as one of the experts will chime in. That gun is a beauty if it's the exact one in the link!
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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The first 22 LR were made in 1979 at Monson. In 1986 there was an ownership change and the Serial numbers changed. The caliber (22) started the number and a B for blue came next. The improved sideplate and the knurled hammer tang were introduced to blued guns. In 1991,another ownership change happened and the small frame guns started to be made and rollmarked Palmer. They became Wesson Firearms and the shroud had a one line roll mark instead of the two line mark with Dan Wesson Arms and the caliber. If it has a Monson role mark and a knurled hammer tang it is post 1986. If it does not have a knurled hammer tang it is pre 1986. Hope that helps. The one from Guns International is a beauty. I think the box is not original though as it has a Monson roll mark and 2 lines on the shroud. It would be post 1986.
October 26, 2023
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Wow, thanks for the information. It does have a knurled hammer tang and 2 lines on the shroud so it seems it would be 1986-1991. I assume it'd be closer to 1986 with the low serial number.
Interesting comment about the box. Now that you mention it, after closer inspection I think it's just the cardboard sleeve that's not original, since it says "Wesson Firearms" and has the Palmer address. The Styrofoam box has "Dan Wesson Arms" embossed on it, so they appear to not be a match.
And yes, the gun in the link is the exact gun I bought. Thanks for all the info!
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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I picked up this 22 (mt first and last) this week. These pics are off BG I do not have it in my hands yet. I'm not a big fan of the Dan 22LR but you do not see nickel plated dans very often. I thought I would be out bid at $1025 so got it pretty low! wondering if this is a factory nickel job or done later. Has an early serial number (no B) hoping the experts here can tell me. Will pick it up next week and post some good pics of it. 
February 16, 2016
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Factory nickel guns have blue hammer & trigger.
October 26, 2023
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Any ideas on what the value is for the gun I linked from Guns International?
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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If it still has the box, tool and manual i'm guessing between $750 and $950 retail. I noticed the scratch behind the cylinder that will hurt a bit. The grips kinda look like Zebra'a so that will up the value also. Seems there has been a bunch of .22LR for sale lately on Gunbroker but they also have been going a bit higher that a regular 15-2 357 magnum. Of course i'm just a DAN guy who trolls both Bunbroker and Guns international the experts here may think i'm a bit off.
October 26, 2023
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Thanks for your thoughts, I didn't know how realistic some of the prices on Gunbroker were.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Okay, not Zebra grip so no help there. Nickel preclude obtaining matching BAs. Definately aftermarket nickel. The scratch on the sideplate was probably there before it was nickeled. The first thing a new Dan owner does is press the ejector rod without keeping the cylinder from closing and they put scratches on the sideplate. If they are smart they won't put more than one on.
22s used to be about 15 to 20% less than a 15-2 but they seem about equal now. Since I started collecting Dans, in 2013 they have appreciated 60% and some even more. Porkchops have mostly gone up even higher. 44 mags too.
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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I think you're looking at my pics of my .22 he was asking about his .22 which you have to clock on the link it will take you to an old listing on Guns International. Go to the top of this thread and click on link to take a look at his .22!
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