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Dans Club
August 13, 2022
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Recent discussion with my local Gunsmith, who is very very knowledgeable on all things guns including lots of knowledge on Dan Wesson …he made a passing comment that the monsoon Guns with serial numbers from 100,000 to 199999 had the best bluing. he said since you are a collector, you should focus on that serial Range.
I’m coming to the Dan Wesson well of knowledge… is there any truth to this or is it just a wives tale?
Thanks
My Outdoor Range
Gulf of America
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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In for the info!!!! Most will say Palmer guns are the best in bluing, tho.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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I have never heard of a serial number range associated with better bluing and believe that's hard to believe. In my inventory, other than the Models 11, 14, 14-2, 15, and 15-2, none of the serial numbers even approach 6-digit. Reaching 6 digit probably became even more scarce once the prefixes were added. I don't own a Palmer made DW, so I don't know personally, but general statements lead me to believe they had a better finish. However- it all comes down to ownership care and maintenance.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Serial number dash 2s (357) from 100k to 200k date from approximately 1977 to 1979. I have alluded to me having the worst case of DWAS in existence but I have never fleshed that statement with numbers. I am actually not sure about the numbers any more . It is in excess of 200 guns. Probably half are 15-2s. The rest are 22s, pork, 32,mag, LG frame and Supermags. I would agree with Ron. While there may be some variance ,of the polished blue guns I know of no era of production that stand out as better bluing with the exception of Palmer blue guns. No rhyme or reason to the prevalence of Barney either. I do have a number of transitional guns with Monson frames and Palmer shrouds and there can be a difference between frame and shroud with the Palmer shroud being more polished and deeper blue . Palmer stainless is brushed but more polished than the brushed Monson.
As far as Barney is concerned, I am convinced that new ceramic investment casts impart silicon to the surface of the steel that cause the Barney. Once that cast is used a bit I think the Barney stops. How many frames that is I know not.
IMHO, the short hammerfall pork chops, models 11,12,14 and 15 up to serial number approximately 25,000 are the most accurate and ruggedly built small frame guns. The most beautiful and best built small frame guns are the Norwich First Issue guns. The frame pins on the right side of the gun are polished smooth like S&Ws, Manurhins,Korths , and almost all high end revolvers except Pythons. The bead blasting on the top strap and rail look like diamond dust.
All this is just one man's opinion but a lot of data went into making those observations 🙄😉🤪
Dans Club
August 13, 2022
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Ron, as usual you’re very detailed analysis and comments go well beyond answering the original question.
I would love to go back and collect all your comments on this forum, and index them. It’s really an encyclopedic amount of information on Dan Wesson..
Thanks again …I know it’s appreciated by all on the forum that read your posts.
Jack
My Outdoor Range
Gulf of America
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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capt jack said
.....the monsoon Guns with serial numbers from 100,000 to 199999 had the best bluing......
First off, there were two shades of bluing offered @ Monson: Brite Blue and Royal(?) Blue. To which bluing did he refer?
But, when Palmer started up and the SER# system began "357BXXXXXX", it did not seen to matter if they were depleting the remaining Monson Frames, or into the new Palmer frames the finish on either frame was so deep. So, it may be the bluing process was updated?
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Royal Blue is a Colt Python term . Brite or Bright was used by DW. As far as the Monson frames with Palmer shrouds ,I think the finished frames were made and blued when the Wessons regained regained control in 1991 and Monson was closed. The Palmer faculty was started in 1981 when production of large frame and Supermags started , but they were all rolled Monson until 1991. No small frame guns were made at Palmer until 1991. I think the reason for the deeper bluing of Palmer guns is the better polishing.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Scout728 said ...when Palmer started up and the SER# system began "357BXXXXXX"...
This is a confusing statement as serial numbers, with caliber prefixes, started during the Monson era.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I think the letter prefixes started in 1983 and the caliber started in 1986 with an ownership change. Shortly before that ,also in 1986, the reinforced cylinder stop on the sideplate and knurled hammer tang made its appearance around serial number 375,000.
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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rwsem said
Scout728 said ...when Palmer started up and the SER# system began "357BXXXXXX"...
This is a confusing statement as serial numbers, with caliber prefixes, started during the Monson era.
I could certainly be mistaken. I know the "B" was a prefix on the Monsons. I am basing this on the Palmer-made Monson Small Frames and the Palmer frames both began with "357B...". Ole Dog and my Gold Series began with the "357B" prefix. How far back does "357B" appear in our Registry? I cannot seem to access it today.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Once bonsai repotting season is over I aim to organize my firearms. That would be the end of March. I am normally a great procrastinator except for seasonal demands of my trees and I am motivated to reorganize the gun room. That includes taking inventory. At that time I will try to answer your questions as best I can. I do know that sideplate change happened in 1986 around serial number 375,000. The highest that that serial number format goes is somewhere in the 380,000s, still 1986 I think.
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
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Palmer guns were bunch better. I have talked to Eric Wesson many times about this and other things Palmer and the bluing problems were at the top of their list when they bought the company back! He did say the first year was ruff but 1992 thru 1996 they made some of the best guns ever. I have several Palmers and the bluing is fantastic. I have only seen one Palmer guns that turned purple and it was a left over frame not stamped. Anyway I think Bob Serva continued with great finish on his guns though it seemed like not many blue guns came out during the Serva years!
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