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October 15, 2015
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Ok lets try and figure out what tool came with what year of gun . Please reply with year of your gun , caliber , type of tool flat steel , regular steel or plastic color of tool body and color of long skinny side short hex cap color after and barrel cap color last . Maybe we can figure out which tools are the right ones for which yr of gun. Example the blue wrench shown was from a picture of a 1981 44 mag PP blue , blue ,yellow & brown
or post a pic of you tool.
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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I have a bunch of pics in the history section--there's more colors than you realize 🙂
SHOOT
October 15, 2015
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I know there is that is why I'm trying to find out which color went with which yr and caliber of gun. I have pics of wrenches I've never seen with a gun.
May 22, 2016
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The one which came with my DW is shiny steel.
Too many of the plastic ones I've seen on the market are bent or broken, so I'll stay with the steel.
October 15, 2015
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It looks like steel was used until 1980 and then the plastic wrenches became std.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I think it is just the opposite. First was the flat steel 12 sided wrench for the exterior nut. Then the same wrench with the insert. Shortly after, maybe 1973, the wrench became 5 sided.. The first plastic wrenches were after the introduction of the 15-2.i believe red was the first color. The steel tool with the Allen wrench crossbar started around 1980 I think. Maybe a little later because the early large frames came with plastic tools.
I too have sworn off the plastic tools because of their inevitable failure as the plastic ages. Part of the problem is user error though, as folks over tighten the barrel nut. Remember, whether nut or screw, on a Dan snug is enough. Doornob tools are extremely nice but not as convenient as you also need Allen wrenches. On my workbench I have broken plastic tools for Allen wrenches and an automotive store multiple wrench tool.. That works great when not at the range. Also good if your gun has a non original grip screw that the factory wrenches won't fit. Non of my time period info is warranted. EWK is great because you can change the inserts and the large frame tool with a 357 insert is good for a model 40. Factory tools to fit a model 40 are Scarce, as are 32 Caliber.
October 15, 2015
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Let me rephrase what I said yes steel was first the flat wrenches the flat wrench with insert is seen in Pistol packs in 77 & 78 in 79 a steel normal looking wrench shows up and in 1980 the plastic wrenches start except in the 81 & 82 gold series which had a flat wrench with insert. But what I am trying to do here is to identify which color plastic wrench goes with which year and caliber of gun so if someone is missing theirs and wants the right original or if someone is trying to complete a PP they now which wrench to search for . But lets go ahead and include the steel ones to so anyone with a gun that they bought new tell me the year and describe the wrench that came with it .
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Here's four of mine, all Monson guns. L to R is...
Lil' Dan, Model 40 (.357 SM), and two .44 Mag. (not pictured is another red one that fits my .375 SM)
I'm not sure that there actually was a specific color to caliber correlation, or even specific years, for that matter. I think they simply just made them in various colors, with red possibly being most common.
Here's the LINK that Shoot was referring to, in case anyone hasn't seen it.
October 15, 2015
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Interesting that a Lil' dan would come with a wrench with the tip on the back usually only the tools for the large frames had those , maybe they sent 357 max tools with them. Thanks.
August 29, 2009
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Weasel - I think you're going to be spinning your wheels there trying to match up specific guns to tool colors. I don't think there is any correlation over the years.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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HarleySftl said
Weasel - I think you're going to be spinning your wheels there trying to match up specific guns to tool colors. I don't think there is any correlation over the years.
THIS!
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
October 15, 2015
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Maybe your right but will see what people post here , wrenches are somewhat caliber specific pics of a 32 cal wrench would help , and how about the clear orange one anyone know what it fits or the green large frame wrench ?
February 16, 2016
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I'm speculating that DW outsourced the tool production and provided technical specifications, such as tool sizes and plastic material composition ... but not color, so the manufacturer just used whatever they had on hand.
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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It is a good thought to try to track the wrench colors, but I doubt there are enough original owners here who can say for sure they have the original wrench to get much solid data. Will be interesting though if you get some responses.
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
October 15, 2015
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That is going to be the biggest problem finding people who bought theirs new.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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weaselguys said
That is going to be the biggest problem finding people who bought theirs new.
Agreed; more than 30 purchased, none of which was I the original buyer.....
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
October 15, 2015
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The way I figure it is 22 cal always stayed yellow 357 was red with different cap colors so they probably bought in bulk and the different cap colors were from the different batches implying that after a certain point they after 86 the large cap changed to black , the orange wrench I have no idea what caliber it is but it is missing the point on the back of the wrench implying it is a small frame wrench maybe 32 cal ? T hardest will be the large frames as there are many colors and cap variations . Im also tracking buckles and patches too.
August 29, 2009
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weaselguys said
The way I figure it is 22 cal always stayed yellow 357 was red with different cap colors so they probably bought in bulk and the different cap colors were from the different batches implying that after a certain point they after 86 the large cap changed to black , the orange wrench I have no idea what caliber it is but it is missing the point on the back of the wrench implying it is a small frame wrench maybe 32 cal ? T hardest will be the large frames as there are many colors and cap variations . Im also tracking buckles and patches too.
How about the steel .22 - do they count? Here's a black .357 
October 1, 2012
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The only certainty with Dan Wesson.....there is no certainty. Here is a pic of two blue wrenches. One is a 357, one is a 44 mag !
Also I have two NIB 32Mags from the original owner and they are both RED
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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Well, Guys. Just to add to the confusion, the two Dan's I bought new are as follows:
715: Red plastic with Yellow, Yellow, Yellow.
744: Blue plastic with Yellow, Black, Black.
And just to obfuscate a bit more, my 741, which I did not buy new, but which I bought as a complete PP (except for the VH10 BA which I added later): Orange plastic with Yellow, Brown, Blue.
So there -- put that in your smipe and poke it.
-Mike
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