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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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I've been looking to get another Dan Wesson and in my searches on Gun Broker, I see a number of old Dans with a purple cast to the blued finish, especially on the frame. What caused this? I assume these guns would need to be reblued. My 357 is only ever so slightly purplish but you have to use a high powered light and a magnifier to see it. Many on the GB site were visably purple, almost to the point of looking anodized. I don't recall seeing this on other makes of guns. Anybody know?
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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We affectionately call these "Barney" guns, named after the big purple dinosaur. The cause seems to be some unusual minerals (maybe silica) in some of the batches of steel used reacting over a long time with the bluing. This phenomenon is not limited to DW's, and has no impact on the function or durability. Re-bluing does not necessarily rule out a recurrence of barney.
Lot's of guys here guard their Barney guns pretty jealously.
Capt. Charles Elton Ferrell, USA KIA Kontum, RVN 12/6/1969
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
August 28, 2009
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There are several theories of "purple bluing", most commonly referred to as "barney". One theory is the amount of silica in the investment casting molding used to make the frames. Contamination of the alloy with silica prior to bluing eventually reacts with the bluing and turns it purple. This is why you normally only see the purple on the frame (all sizes) and/or trigger housing on large and supermag frames. These are the investment cast components of the gun. You never see it on the barrel shroud because the shroud is cold rolled steel, and you'll never see it on the small frame sideplate because this part is machined from plate. There are several other theories out there that I am less familiar with.
It's all a question of personal taste when it comes to "barney" guns. I prefer to stay away from them, others may not mind the purple tint.
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Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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I like it! As said some don't some do! The barney adds almost history to the Dan! Not sure reblueing would do the trick (it may for awhile). Some that i have seen almost look like light they are using to take the picture! It won't hurt the shooting so pick one up!
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Thanks guys, I figured it had to be some kind of chemical reaction. I have my eye on a 44 that is very "Barney" but seems to be priced reasonably, probablly due to its coloration. Otherwise the gun looks to be in very good shape, and not fired extensively. I'll see what kind of deal I can make.
BTW this is a very interesting and information filled site with alot of knowledgeable people. Wish I'd found it sooner. I got my first Dan in 1986.
Now that I've found the site, I expect I'll be doing alot of reading over the winter. Going to a large gun show on the weekend, maybe find some DW stuff there, I hope.
Thanks again
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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So you know we love pictures!!!! While at the Gun Show keep your eyes open for the High Standards MK11 & 111, also the Mitchell Titans. Both of these made by Dan Wesson. Then you could be the first on your block with one or both!
February 11, 2010
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I will tell you from experience that re-bluing will only be a short term
fix. The purple will slowly come back after 6 months or so.
Dans are not the only ones affected, I have seen Rugers, Remington barrel
rings and various scope rings with the same purple look.
-Blacktop
May 17, 2010
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Yep go to the pawn shop.. most of the Ruger semi-autos eventually end up very barney ( and these are not 30 year old guns!)
As for me and barney.. my most prized DW is now in full barney. I don't really like it, but as long as it does not drop down to pink... I can live with it. At that point (if it comes) I will probably do something about it.. (electroless nickle or hard chrome look good to me). My other three dans have none to slight barney, and yes I covet thier deep blue.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
May 3, 2011
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My understanding is that the niter bluing salts react over the years with the various types of metals and eventually turn that purple color. The color is not bad. I have blued some of my black powder rifles to a plum color; Which looks very good to me and aged.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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DWA_Midwest said:
So you know we love pictures!!!! While at the Gun Show keep your eyes open for the High Standards MK11 & 111, also the Mitchell Titans. Both of these made by Dan Wesson. Then you could be the first on your block with one or both!
In the interest of historical accuracy, I think High Standards and Mitchells were "licensed" items not manufactured by Dan Wesson, but manufactured to DW design and specifications. Functionally, they are "Dan Wessons", but not literally.
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
May 17, 2010
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Now that is interesting. Not that I have ever heard.. but my assumption would be to have only one plant making the guns... do you mean there may have been guns made to DW design... but NOT made in a DW plant? I would like to hear more on this if you know.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I do not know factually about this. I know that both sides of the "DW made High Standards" and "High Standard made DW's" discussion have been stated as fact.
Those with younger and more agile memories will probably help clarify this. I think my statement was correct, but I don't know that it is.
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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Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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I also have two United Sporting Arms that have earned the stripe of "Barney". Seems this plagues many blued guns. They don't shoot any different thankfully. My two most often fired Dans are both Barney guns. The DW .357 SM and .375 SM revolvers I shoot most are both Barney guns.
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
March 25, 2008
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I have some early ruger-single six's that show the same effects of barney. and I've seen some that look like lightning strikes through the frame blueing. Over on the ruger forum the barney guns are prized and command a price premium. So I would'nt jump ship, as the rugers date to the early to mid 50's. Myself I like the purple frame but have never seen any on the barrel shrouds.
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January 24, 2009
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Pinetor said:
...as long as it does not drop down to pink... I can live with it.
If it goes to pink, then give the gun to your wife & tell you had it done custom just for her. She'll love ya forever.
Steve, according to John Stimson's input on the High Standard thread, he's saying that DW did make the MK II & III guns for HS.
The manufacturing details aren't nailed down in that thread, but judging from the differences in the roll marks, I'd wager a bet that DW shipped unmarked gun assemblies (or boxes of pieces) to HS. Then the frames & shrouds were probably roll marked & serial numbered at their plant. That's merely my working theory thus far, so that & $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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You may be right. Hamden, CT (High Standard) and Monson, MA (Dan Wesson) are a one hour drive apart from each other.
I often forget that I live in the traditional heart of the American firearms industry. Last month I was in Mass for a meeting, and cruised Monson and Palmer, just for the heck of it.
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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January 24, 2009
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Steve CT said:
I often forget that I live in the traditional heart of the American firearms industry. Last month I was in Mass for a meeting, and cruised Monson and Palmer, just for the heck of it.
Oh sure...just rub it in, why don't ya?!?
My portrayal of "cruising Monson & Palmer" is relegated to taking a few DW's for a dirt road drive...up to my 'range on the hill', while letting 'em breathe some fresh air (shortly prior to snorting bullets & powder). They whiff the sagebrush scent as we cruise back home again, where they receive a good scrubbing & rubdown, then it's back to bed.
Ahhh, the *life my DW's lead...
*of course, this heavenly scenario only happens a few months out of the year. All too often, the remaining calendar time is spent snorting bullets in sub-zero temps, followed by an uneventful return trip with the windows rolled up (none-if-any sagebrush whiffs). However, the punctilious scrubbing/rubdown invariably remains the same.
hehe
February 20, 2008
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My Mom's from the mid 50's
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
January 22, 2008
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Nice looking little Ruger!
DWF Supporters
June 20, 2010
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Charger Fan said:
......
Then the frames & shrouds were probably roll marked & serial numbered at their plant. That's merely my working theory thus far, so that & $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee.
You can still get a cup of coffee for a $1.50 in UT? 
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