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August 2, 2023
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I’ve had a couple dan wessons in the past, but i have ended up having to let them go. I just recently got back into one… sort of. I picked up a High Standard 357. It screams dan Wesson and is of their familiar porkchop design. The barrel is marked “sentinel mkii”, but I wonder if it’s been changed. I found a link from a member that detailed shipping dates and serial number ranges. If I read that right, this 27,1xx serial number should be a MKIII ? Anyway, who is the resident high standard by Dan Wesson expert? I’d love to find out more info on this thing as the story of guns intrigues me almost as much as the guns themselves. Haha I would love to post a pic as well if somebody could give me instructions on how to do that.
thanks!
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I haven't learned to post pictures yet but I can help you with the gun. Mk11 is fixed sight, identical to a DW model 14-1. The rear sight is a cut in the frame. A Mk111 is identical to a 15-1. The rear sight is the High Standard style adjustable sight. They are made by Dan Wesson and branded High Standard. They were made in 1973 and 74. I suspect DW sold the last of the porkchops to High Standard as the new dash 2 guns were being introduced. There are no extra barrel assemblies roll marked High Standard but DW barrel assemblies fit. Just make sure they are dash 1 assemblies or the front sight will be too high. The Mk11s will have a matte finish and the Mk111 will be polished.
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Welcome to the forum from PA!!
Ole Dog is one of the most knowledgeable DW aficionados here.
August 2, 2023
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Ole Dog said
I haven't learned to post pictures yet but I can help you with the gun. Mk11 is fixed sight, identical to a DW model 14-1. The rear sight is a cut in the frame. A Mk111 is identical to a 15-1. The rear sight is the High Standard style adjustable sight. They are made by Dan Wesson and branded High Standard. They were made in 1973 and 74. I suspect DW sold the last of the porkchops to High Standard as the new dash 2 guns were being introduced. There are no extra barrel assemblies roll marked High Standard but DW barrel assemblies fit. Just make sure they are dash 1 assemblies or the front sight will be too high. The Mk11s will have a matte finish and the Mk111 will be polished.
Ole Dog, Thanks for the info. this is what I had read as well. A couple questions:
MK11 should have a fixed sight. Mine has a fixed sight. But according to the shipping/production records I found on this site, starting at SN27,000 they were MKIII. This one is 27,1xx, so just barely into the MKIII "window" of SN. Is it possible that it was a left over frame from the MKII days, but was made into a MKIII? Also, The Barrel on mine is definitely more of a Matte blue than the frame. The frame is still blued, but definitely more "shiny" than the barrel. That also makes me wonder if I've stumbled across some kind of changeover year type deal that has some traits from both the MKII and the MKIII eras. still working on how to post pics...
February 16, 2016
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to the 
I don't believe the MII and MIII are different "eras", but were produced at the same time. MII is a fixed sight service revolver and MIII is an adjustable sight target model.
August 2, 2023
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I'm trying to find that link to the serial numbers again. Anybody know where that was?
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Remember, the barrel assemblies and frames are two different parts. It is not like a Smith or Colt where the gun is assembled and polished. Mix and match is the Dan Wesson way. Also, the frame and shrouds, cylinders and sideplates can be different hues. The investment cast frames are ALWAYS a different hue than the sideplate and shroud if seen in bright light.
Another thing to consider is that High Standard relieved Dan Wesson of their remaining porkchops. The cataloged pistol packs of three barrel lengths but never had any to sell. Any extra HS BAs out there is because of a frame being destroyed probably by LE. Perhaps a little mix and matching went on at High Standard. I would not put much thought into it. The high value of "Transition" guns is a Smith and Wesson thing. As are the importance of early or late serial numbers.
August 2, 2023
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Ole Dog, Thanks again for the info. That would explain the different hues. And I'm not saying I think there is some awesome value here or something. Not really concerned with that at all. Just trying to make sense of the info I'm seeing.
I tried to upload a pic. If my upload attempt worked, look at the "H27000" range of SN. Mine is H27,1xx. But according to this chart, that means Mine would have been a MKIII with a 2 1/2" barrel, correct?
October 18, 2017
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Here is a photo of my DW 15-1. Your gun should not look like this. The Mll Sentinel should be a dull finish with fixed rear sight.
August 2, 2023
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August 2, 2023
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February 16, 2016
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Yours is a MKII fixed sight service model, like the DW 14-1.
August 2, 2023
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Stinger said
Yours is a MKII fixed sight service model, like the DW 14-1.
I get that. I know the fixed Sights was MKII. But look at the SN chart. Doesn't that say the 27000 SN started the MKIII? And that my SN range would have come with a 2 1/2" bbl?
February 16, 2016
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No. Our S/N Registry is just a list of members guns, not official. His had a 2-1/2" BA, but yours and any other close number could have had any length barrel.
August 2, 2023
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Ahhh. Ok. And did they make MKIII and MKII concurrently? If they did, there may be MKII and MKIII with close SNs?
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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Welcome to the Forum from Texas!
A good-lookin HS
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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To the from central IL!!
Of your HS
August 2, 2023
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Nice collection, KurtB!!! And thanks for the warm welcome, guys. I'm in TN.
May 12, 2009
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Ole Dog said
I haven't learned to post pictures yet but I can help you with the gun. Mk11 is fixed sight, identical to a DW model 14-1. The rear sight is a cut in the frame. A Mk111 is identical to a 15-1. The rear sight is the High Standard style adjustable sight. They are made by Dan Wesson and branded High Standard. They were made in 1973 and 74. I suspect DW sold the last of the porkchops to High Standard as the new dash 2 guns were being introduced. There are no extra barrel assemblies roll marked High Standard but DW barrel assemblies fit. Just make sure they are dash 1 assemblies or the front sight will be too high. The Mk11s will have a matte finish and the Mk111 will be polished.
The shipping dates for the High Standard marked Dan Wessons run from about May 1973 a couple of 9402s that shipped 5/3/1973 serial numbers H 14 & H 22 through mid 1975 in the H 31,900 range . Higher serial numbers in the H 35,000 range shipped in September 74.
The adjsutable rear sights on the MK III were provided by Dan Wesson. Although similar to the High Standard Wilhelm sight they are different.
October 18, 2017
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All things considered, you have a very well made, and seemingly little used revolver. My 15-1 is the most accurate in my collection due mostly to its amazing trigger. You are fortunate that yours doesn’t have the telltale gouge marks on the frame like mine does. This is from the poorly fitted cranes of that timeframe. I put a .002 round shim in mine, and this has kept it from getting any worse. The previous owner paid no attention to this and every time he closed the cylinder the notches dug into the frame. Almost every one of these 1974 guns whether DW or HS that I have seen has these marks, except yours.
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