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October 18, 2017
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Comparing a Smith & Wesson to a Dan Wesson you will see virtually no resemblance between the two. However, since Karl Lewis did design work on both the Colt Trooper Mark III and the Dan Wesson, you just might see some similarities when comparing these two fine revolvers. The basic frame on the Colt (other than the frame stud instead of a full grip frame) is similar to the Dan. It is every bit as "robust" in terms of strength, and shares Lewis's patented transfer bar safety, as well as a coil mainspring. The barrel is right hand twist, the cylinder rotates clockwise, and the cylinder rotates against the frame and not on the Yoke as on a S&W. The biggest difference with the Dan is of course the interchangeable (tensioned) barrel system. The lock work is different on the Dan, and as far as having a quicker lock time and being more user friendly is concerned, an improvement. These changes along with the spring loaded detent ball and crane mounted cylinder latch are what makes a Dan a Dan, yet I must acknowledge a tiny hint of Colt ancestry in the Dan Wesson. I sometimes wonder if Karl Lewis had pitched his interchangeable barrel design to Colt during his time there, perhaps Colt would have ended up building Lewis's revolver design. As it turned out, it was Daniel B. Wesson II and Karl Lewis who were destined to collaborate on creating the magnificent revolver we all know and love: the Dan Wesson.
February 16, 2016
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3ric said
I sometimes wonder if Karl Lewis had pitched his interchangeable barrel design to Colt during his time there, perhaps Colt would have ended up building Lewis's revolver design.
I believe he did.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Yes, Karl offered the interchangable barrel and the grip tang to Colt. They were supposedly putting all their resources in military sales of AR rifles and turned him down.
I don't think Karl gets enough credit for designing the user friendly aspect of Dans. The Allen screws, drop in parts, ability to customize the grip and replace barrels are what really set Dans apart from all other Revolvers. Instead of sending the gun to the factory or an accomplished gunsmith for a grip change or replacing a shot out barrel, the gun owner can do it himself in minutes. The pawnshops are filled with Smiths with shot out barrels that are not worth the cost to rebarrel. Rebarreling a gun destroys their collectability but not so with a Dan.
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