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February 4, 2009
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OK guys. I just noticed something odd and thought I would ask and see if anyone has an answer for this.
As I was checking out the thread titled “Dusty's Locker” and was admiring his Model 12 Pistol Pac, I realized something strange.
Dusty's says -Model No.-12-, and mine says -Model No.-W12-
What gives?
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January 24, 2009
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Interesting.
I can only speculate that the decision to add the "W" came along sometime after the first run of initial guns were off the line. No idea why though.
December 17, 2008
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Wow! Nice find!
So right off the top of my head, I believe the Service Model was D-8 and the Target model was W-12 (DW being used for the different model designations).
I agree with Charger - the question becomes: When did that start? You would have expected them to come out of the gate with the model designation already set.
Also, I checked my paperwork and don't see the model identified anywhere. Another Dan Wesson detail that needs to be unearthed!!!
And looking at your picture - that is just a thing of beauty...
February 4, 2009
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Dusty Trail said:
Post edited 8:13 pm - May 3, 2009 by Dusty Trail
Wow! Nice find!
So right off the top of my head, I believe the Service Model was D-8 and the Target model was W-12 (DW being used for the different model designations).
I agree with Charger - the question becomes: When did that start? You would have expected them to come out of the gate with the model designation already set.
According to my paperwork, the Service Model was a D11. Yours has a substantially lower serial number than mine (2 digit vs. 4), and since my paperwork has 1971 all over it, this "W12" designation had to occur pre 1971, I would think.
Now, in addition to all the other questions we now have, are there any -Model No.-11-, as opposed to -Model No.-D11- firearms floating about?
If nothing else, I guess we just figured out how to ID the earliest Model 12's - that's a start.
January 22, 2008
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Very cool info guys! As we have come to find we figure out something about DW's and that opens up a dozen more questions!
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January 24, 2009
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Dusty Trail said:
So right off the top of my head, I believe the Service Model was D-8 and the Target model was W-12 (DW being used for the different model designations).
Unless I'm reading it wrong, I think the 8's & 9's came along when the barrel nut moved flush & were .38 Specials, according to Pg 4 of this article…
http://dwcollectors.org/dwca-content/articles/1980_jan_article.PDF
Feel free to straighten me out, if I'm wrong. 😀 The 11's & 12's were the only exposed nut models, I'm thinkin'…no idea about the “D” designation, though.
January 22, 2008
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I might be crazy but how about this:
D for Dan and W for Wesson?
December 17, 2008
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No doubt...I wonder why they added it after the production was already under way?
As CDF pointed out, his is a '71 and mine is a '70. With the exception of the Serial Number location they appear to be mechanically the same - so what prompted the change in designation from Model 12 in 1970 to Model W-12 in 1971?
Charger - Nice info & good reference, those articles are priceless aren't they? Very good question on the Model -11 Vs Model D-11. I wonder...
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January 24, 2009
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Have any of you guys seen a "D" as of yet? I haven't so far.
December 17, 2008
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Our mission: find one!!
Or perhaps a picture of one...
Someone out there has one!
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