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DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
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February 16, 2016
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Well, that didn't work.
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
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June 8, 2009
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Very nice.
Your pic. of the factory box 15-1 seems to show what would be called the Sacramento grip. Interesting! Not for any reason, but i thought that grip was produced much later.
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
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That's how I got it. Look at the picture in the instructions. Appears to show that same grip.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Actually,the grip in the instructions appears to be a regular fingergroove combat grip. The Sacremento grip was an original grip offering , the combat grip was introduced a little later. The Sacremento grip has a slanted base rising in the front . It was designed for the Sacramento Police Department . That slanting base doesn't stick out when holstered the way a combat grip does. Sacrifices a little of the length of the grip in the front for comfort while sitting in a car while the gun is holstered. The modelsl 8(38 Special) and 11 were authorized for duty by the Sacramento PD . The Michigan grip is like the early target grips but a little shorter. Also designed for a Police Department . The plastic Powerwood grips in a couple of configurations were offered around 1972 and fazed out with the the introduction of the dash 2s in late 1974.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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The New York City police department also authorized the models 8 and 11. But they did not allow interchangable barrels so a barrel nut with no slots was used. Once screwed on it could not be unscrewed except by the factory. PDs also milled the back of the slots of a nut .They could be screwed on but not off.
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
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Ole Dog said
Actually,the grip in the instructions appears to be a regular fingergroove combat grip. The Sacremento grip was an original grip offering , the combat grip was introduced a little later. The Sacremento grip has a slanted base rising in the front . It was designed for the Sacramento Police Department . That slanting base doesn't stick out when holstered the way a combat grip does. Sacrifices a little of the length of the grip in the front for comfort while sitting in a car while the gun is holstered. The modelsl 8(38 Special) and 11 were authorized for duty by the Sacramento PD . The Michigan grip is like the early target grips but a little shorter. Also designed for a Police Department . The plastic Powerwood grips in a couple of configurations were offered around 1972 and fazed out with the the introduction of the dash 2s in late 1974.
I have to take another look. I like to keep my stuff as original as possible. Thanks
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
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So, the original grip should be a combat grip?
February 16, 2016
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I'm speculating that the original grip was a Target model. They had lots of variety with accessory grips.
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
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Trying to keep original. Pictures seen to show combat grip. Would original grips have a medallion?
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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It's only "original" once, and that's when it came from the factory. Everything else is "period correct". Chasing "originality" is an expense that isn't necessary unless you want to of course.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I am a big proponent of original condition for a collector grade gun. As it left the factory is the highest value . With that being said,Dan Wessons are modular . Carl Lewis pioneered the use of MIM so that almost all parts are drop in without hand fitting. They don't require the factory or gunsmith for those things that other revolvers are sent back for . Grip frame shape, rebarreling or a different length barrel. No one can tell if you DW left the factory with a 4 inch barrel or 21/2, 6,8 " unless you have the box with original label and even then it doesn't matter as long as it has the proper roll mark on the shroud to match the frame. Many guns were sold without a barrel but just RCVR on the label.
Because the lockwork is MIM ,NEVER file the sear. The heat treatment is only on the surface of the part and removing any but the slightest bit of roughness will lead to part failure.
Lastly, The Sacremento grip was one of the 5 original grip shapes. 1970. Sacremento grip, square bottom service grip, Magna style, the strange original target grip and the shorter version called the Michigan grip. The Powerwood grip appeared about 1972, along with a very small medallion . The Magna grip often had the small medallion too. By 1973 there were checkered and smooth conventional target grips but still no brass medallions. By 1975 the first DWA Medallions appeared and around 1978 they became DW instead of DWA. Palmer medallions are gold plastic.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I am a big proponent of original condition for a collector grade gun. As it left the factory is the highest value . With that being said,Dan Wessons are modular . Carl Lewis pioneered the use of MIM so that almost all parts are drop in without hand fitting. They don't require the factory or gunsmith for those things that other revolvers are sent back for . Grip frame shape, rebarreling or a different length barrel. No one can tell if you DW left the factory with a 4 inch barrel or 21/2, 6,8 " unless you have the box with original label and even then it doesn't matter as long as it has the proper roll mark on the shroud to match the frame. Many guns were sold without a barrel but just RCVR on the label.
Because the lockwork is MIM ,NEVER file the sear. The heat treatment is only on the surface of the part and removing any but the slightest bit of roughness will lead to part failure.
Lastly, The Sacremento grip was one of the 5 original grip shapes. 1970. Sacremento grip, square bottom service grip, round bottom undercover grip , Magna style, the strange original target grip called the Michigan grip and its shorter version.. The Powerwood grip appeared about 1972, along with a very small medallion . The Magna grip often had the small medallion too. By 1973 there were checkered and smooth conventional target grips but still no brass medallions. By 1975 the first DWA Medallions appeared and around 1978 they became DW instead of DWA. Palmer medallions are gold plastic.
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
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All that being said, let me clarify. Probably shouldn't have used the word original. Period correct would indeed be a better term. Am I correct that the target grip is the largest full sized grip. There are so many. Medallions, no medallions, high point grips, powerwood. I saw the pictures of the brochure, but there's no description for target. Period correct is next best thing to original factory. If the grip I have is not period correct, I would like to give it the correct one. I'd appreciate it if you would look at the a look at the OEM Grips and give me the corresponding letter for the correct grip. I may have it already.
June 8, 2009
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DW sold a blank grip. I would think that would be the largest grip with full, uncut, wood.
My .22 came with the checkered target grip, brass medallions. It never fit right and always tried to cross thread the screw. I sent it to the factory, and they could make it fit, but I never could. I replaced it with the Sacramento (no medallions) that I like a LOT better. The size of the two grips is very close with some wood removed compared to the target. They fit my hand much better.
The .44 came with smooth target grip with brass medallions. The combat grip is a bit longer and has no medallions. The combat grip fits my hand much better, and the little finger has something to grip onto. It feels huge, but my hand can hang on to it just fine.
DWF Supporters
June 12, 2026
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I have the block of wood grip with my W12 pistol pac, It's my understanding that it came with that pac. There's a square cutout in the pac for it.
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