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February 4, 2009
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Interesting day it has been today.
Started my day with getting a cracked tooth problem solved. My face, jaw, and cheek hurts and I know it will only get worse as the day goes on. When I arrived home from the dentist, my wife mentioned that someone had left an odd message on the answering machine about a gun that I might be interested in. My entire right side of my face is puffy and my tongue is numb from the shots.... I know a return phone call isn't going to fly since I can't talk well. So I hop in the car and head over to talk to the guy who called.
He brings this out to the counter:
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Well, doesn't that look interesting.
He still won't give me any info about what's in the box and is obviously toying with me. So I proceed to take the outer protctive cover loose and find this box:
[Image Can Not Be Found]
OK, now we are getting somewhere. Geez, how old is this box? It looks in excellent condition but I have never seen a Dan Wesson box that looked like this before. Hmmm, interesting box in very good shape....looks like it spent it's entire life in a safe or something. Impressive... so what's in the darned box already?
Well, I remove the cover and find this ancient looking paperwork:
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After being thorughly entertained by looking through this time capsule and inspecting the original warranty card and the Safariland/Dan Wesson brochure, it was time to actually see what else was in the box.
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Good Lord! It's an unfired Model 12.
I just had to have it.
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One of these days I will buy a 357 to shoot- this one will be for collecting. If it hasn't been shot in 38 years, I ain't shooting it. This thing is so tight, I could hardly open the cylinder to check the serial number.
I've been told that the gentleman who sold this to me received it directly from the man himself- Dan Wesson.
January 22, 2008
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Very cool find! If you get a chance scan your paper work and I'll post it in the archive! Thanks for sharing!
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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That is one of those once in a lifetime finds I do believe. You need to jot the story down with it so it goes along since Mr. Wesson actually was the deliverer. There is a spare barrel, new I believe, if you want to increaes the value of your find. It is on Gun Broker right now for the old pork chop.
It has been a great day for those afflicted with DWAS!
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
Moderators
November 17, 2008
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Awesome find, I normally shout shoot that thing, but in this case I might agree and would keep this one pure. So you need to hurry up and score a model 15 so the NGNSS (New Gun Needs Shootin Syndrome) dosent take control.
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
December 17, 2008
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WOW!!
That is TREASURE!! I can't believe the condition of everything… Even the box is great. Nice find Cdf!!
I bet you forgot all about that tooth….
Thanks for the great work telling that illustrated story!
It would be great if you could contact the owner and get the actual first hand story about getting it from Dan Wesson 'his own self'.
I have to agree with you & lbruce - no shootin' that one. That is what I would call “rare”. Nice goin'!
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January 24, 2009
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Holy crap, nice score!! Cool story to go with it, too! I agree with SMF, that's one of those once in a lifetime finds. How cool.
So with your face all numb like that, did you end up drooling on the gun? hehe
NGNSS...LOL!!
February 4, 2009
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I certainly wasn't expecting to purchase an unfired W12 when I woke up this morning. It's ironic that I can't seem to find exactly what I am looking for in a 357, yet I am informed about this beauty for a price below some of the banged up pawnshop model 15's I've seen. I have to thank my pal Michael for getting me the hook-up. Now I just have to find the 357 shooter. I expect Michael to call this week.
Thanks for the compliments guys! I'm very happy that this deal dropped into my lap.
Jody- I will try and get this vintage 1971 paperwork scanned for you this week.
SMF- thanks for the heads up on a barrel.
lbruce- I agree that I need to find a shooter or this will drive me crazy. I don't go for safe queens but this one will stay just that- an unfired safe queen.
Dusty- I did meet the original owner while I was there. He said that he would bring the barrel nut tool, which he had forgotten. This gentleman is the owner of the store where I purchased this today. One of his employees had mentioned that I love the Dan Wessons and that I am constantly keeping an eye out for any. When I go back to get the barrel tool, I will try to get the whole story about how he was presented with the revolver.
Charger- if it hadn't been for the mouth full of gauze, I would have loaded up the gun and counter, for sure.
Range Officers
February 25, 2009
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SWEET!!!!!
I like the old models with the exposed barrel nut, call me crazy.
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
~Thomas Jefferson~
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I always say to shoot them, but not this time. It's a treasure, and if the seller got it directly from Dan, I suggest you get a letter (notarized?) to go with it. That is the kind of provenance that is priceless for an historical piece like 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
February 4, 2009
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That's a very good idea Steve.
Once I get the call to go pick up the barrel wrench, I will confirm that this was indeed a hand delivered revolver by Mr. Wesson and attempt to obtain paperwork stating such.
Does anyone else have a Model 12? I would be curious about the production dates. This one has a 4 digit serial # inside the crane opening and came with a price list for 1971- back when a W12 Pistol Pac cost $190.
February 15, 2009
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That is indeed an awesome find. I'll bet you forgot about the pain in your mouth after that. Please do scan the paper work and maybe some more pictures. You are very fortunate to have run into that gun.
November 4, 2008
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Great story, great gun, lousy tooth. 2 out 3 ain't bad!
February 4, 2009
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Jody,
My scanner decided it has had enough and terminated its own existence. You do have some classic 70's documentation pics on the way for the archive though.
You know, I really need that banging head against wall smiley when you get time- I seem to have a use for it a little too frequently.
Thanks.
Chris
April 11, 2009
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That is awesome, I see so many "unfireds" that are actually fired. I felt lucky to find a 95% condition gun in its pistol pack with everything but the beltbuckle (I actually have one from my Grandfathers model 15 if I need to make it "complete").
My Dan's
15VH pistol pack
715 plus two barrels
44 pistol pack in transit
April 25, 2008
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Man, that is a great score. You are very lucky.
I would still shoot it though.
The Savantist
February 4, 2009
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IHMSA80×80-
I don't know, I just can't bring myself to shoot it.
I figure for the $300 I paid for it, I can afford a shooter and keep this one the way it sits.
Well....on a different note, I picked up the barrel wrench today but was unable to catch up with the original owner for the complete story on how it was delivered to him. In addition to the barrel wrench, I was given a small little booklet complete with original patina:
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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Nice! I've never seen one of those before.
Supporter
Moderators
Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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SWEET! I love a good picture story... nice find!
Regards,
Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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I bet just inside that cover, it goes something like this; "This Dan Wesson revolver will very likely be the first step toward full blown DWAS! Enjoy your sickness." LOL!
February 4, 2009
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Charger Fan said:
I bet just inside that cover, it goes something like this; “This Dan Wesson revolver will very likely be the first step toward full blown DWAS! Enjoy your sickness.”
LOL!
Hey Charger,
You must have read the booklet, eh? Actually, I think it says that in fine print at the bottom of the last page. LOL
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