In 1997, out of curoisity, I purchased a Dan Wesson Model 11. At that time, I had never had any experience with Dan Wesson Revolvers. I had a modest collection of ex-cop service revolvers that I had purchased for next-to-nothing in those days. Those were the days when trade-in service revolvers might go for 100-dollars to 150-dollars. There was an abundance of my very favorite type of double-actions, the 4-inch .38 or .357 in a 4-inch barrel, fixed and adjustable sights. Guns like the S&W Models 10, 15, 19, the Colt Official Police, Police Positive Special, Lawman, Trooper, Trooper MK III and the Ruger Security-Six, Police Service-Six and Speed-Six. These were the 'cop' guns of the 1970's and 80's. The PD I worked for issued the S&W Model 10 in a 4-inch standard barrel and in blue steel finish. No Dan Wessons that I can recall in this category of ex-cop sixguns. I had the opportunity to shoot all of these mentioned revolvers and enjoyed every second of it. Some were more accurate than others. The S&W and I-Frame Colt Revolvers had the best trigger-actions for myself. I had heard of the Dan Wesson and its reputation for accuracy but had never personally shot one and rarely saw one in the GS or pawnshops. I read a 1989 gun magazine article by Massad Ayoob on the .38 service revolvers of the NYPD. The .38 Colt, S&W, and Ruger were all mentioned in the article as being approved six-guns by the NYPD for duty use. There was a 'passing' reference in the Ayoob article to an approved-for-duty Dan Wesson .38, that got-out-in-small-numbers. Ayoob stated that it had a 'fixed-barrel' and was chambered in .38 Special. I read this article numerous times over the passing years. I was to find out that the DW mention was the very first production model, the Model 11. This stuck with me until one day, several years after reading the article, I spotted a Model 11 in a local pawnshop. This was around 1994 and I can remember being handling the Model 11, checking out the trigger-action, stiff to stiffer, and that 'barrel-nut' sticking out on the end of the barrel. I was put-off by its appearance and walked out of the pawnshop, not giving it another thought. Several years later, I ran into another Model 11 in a different pawnshop. Blue steel, original DW grips, and a 4-inch barrel. This was November 22, 1997 and I spoke with the clerk about the odd-looking .357, and got a bargain price. For 175-dollars, I walked out of the place with my 'first' Dan Wesson, the Model 11 of the 89 Ayoob article. This time I was better prepared and didn't let the exposed barrel nut chase me off. The rest is Dan Wesson Firearms history! In 97, the Model 11 had been out of production since the early 70's. There were modified versions of the 11 around, like the 14, 14-1,14-2, 714 (stainless), 8, and the 8-1 and 8-2 in .38 chambering, if my DW history is right. I had one of Mr. Dan's first and the odd-looks are now becoming to me as a collector/shooter. This same Model 11, has been used in numerous PD Service Pistol Matches and has brought back to my house, bragging rights and a medal/trophy! More than any of my other revolvers I have used, like all of those already mentioned. I have shot the 'highest' and accomplished the most in shooting scores/memories with the 11. The short hammer drop, for single-action fire, the fixed sights, that are a shooters dream, allows for quick and clear target acquisition, something very important for a lawman! I got a late start with the Dan Wesson, because of circumstances, and that 89 gun magazine article. Hogue, black rubber, finger-groove grips replaced the original walnut DW Combat Grips with finger-grooves. That was because the DW grips partially blocked speedloader use. The DW grips are a perfect fit-to-my-hand! Several years was to pass, when a minor trigger-action issue (spring) developed. By this time (2000), Bob Serva had purchased DW and was struggling to keep it going. I had the opportunity to speak with him, via the phone, and was impressed by his genuine, polite demeanor and his determined interest in the Dan Wesson Revolver. I had sent him my Model 11 about the trigger-issue and was advised by him (Bob Serva) that he, personally, would be working on my DW and that he would make sure everything was good-to-go! Imagine that, the owner/president/CEO, would be working on my Model 11, serial number 1131. I still have the documentation of that repair, with Bob Serva's own signature on the invoice, along with a personal message. I thought it important to retain that paperwork. Mr. Serva took interest in my cop-career, especially the Matches, that I used my Dan Wesson in. I found Mr. Serva to be a fine gentleman and good gunsmith, all at the same time.

Handgun legend, Skeeter Skelton, once referred to the first production Dan Wesson Models 11 and 12, as having a 'Buck Rogerish' look, with the exposed barrel nut, common to those two first Dan Wessons. He didn't like the ejector-rod that was too thin, according to him, and hurt the palm of his hand, knocking shell casings out. He went on to say that he appreciated the modifications done to the Model 14 and 15, to eliminate the thin ejector rod and recess the barrel nut. I don't know if Mr. Skeeter realized how 'accurate' the 11 and 12 was, as he gave the numbers of his shooting-test without comment. For me, and I'll leave it as this; I got use to the Buck Rogers look the first time I put that 11 in a pistol perch for accuracy verification! I surely got use to the Buck Rogers look the first time I 'placed' in a combat match. The on-lookers, who watched the matches, as well as participated, got use to the 'look' of my 11 when the shooting scores came in. No other sixgun has given me these kind of shooting scores! None! I'm not a 'gifted' shooter at all. Quite the contrary, I'm just a 'practiced' shooter, thats all. The difference in my scores was made with the 'gun', my 4-inch, blue steel Model 11. I have really had some 'Kodak' moments with this odd-looking, Buck Rogers Ray Gun, my Model 11. I do, love it so! Thank you my friends, and sorry for the length.

David

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