3-Digit Dan Wesson W-12 Sales Demo Pistol-Pac with Correspondence
Guns International #: 100525364 Seller's Inventory #: 27995
Category: Dan Wesson Revolvers - .357 Magnum Revolvers
Seller's Information
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Seller: Joe Salter com
Company: Down East Antiques - Joe Salter
Member Since: 9/10/10
First Name: Garrick-March-Jim-Joe
Last Name: Salter
State: New Hampshire
Zip: 03031
Country: United States
Phone: (603) 732-4000
Fax: (603) 732-4200
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1218
Total Number of Listings: 20403
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $500! We also have a 30 day Inspection Period and NOT a 3 day Inspection.
Payment Types Accepted: We take all major credit cards with NO CREDIT CARD FEES! Also Check or Money order.
About Us: Joe Salter has been in the Antique and Collector Weapons business for 60 years as both a collector and dealer. Our company is based in Southern New Hampshire and we have had an internet based store front for the past 20 years. We are federally licensed and deal in all types of firearms and related material. We offer free Shipping for orders over $500.
Description:
Serial #238, .357 Magnum, 6”, 4”, and 2 1/2” barrels with excellent, bright bores. This is an early revolver that was purchased as a demonstration gun for law enforcement by a New Hampshire police dealer in 1971, and retains 97-98% of the original blue finish on the frame and early, “Porkchop” barrel shrouds. There are some very minor spots of silvering along the high edges, particularly along the edges of the cylinder flutes, and some very mild freckling present on the sides of the trigger and hammer. A slight turn-ring is present on the cylinder and gray metal on the sides of the crane hinge. The walnut finger-groove grips installed on the revolver are in fine shape as well with some light surface scratches in the original varnish. Some dark freckling is present within the chambers of the cylinder at the mouths. The lock-up is still tight and the mechanism is fully functional. The revolver is housed in its original brown plastic, attache-style case (the original serial numbered end label has since been moved to the interior of the case under the lining) with the original green foam padding, spare round-butt grip, spare “Sacramento” grip (an extra grip which is discussed in the included correspondence), original unfinished grip blank, and combo-tool. Also included with the revolver is the original paperwork and promotional material as well as a Dan Wesson envelope containing the original (and fascinating) correspondence between Dan Wesson Firearms and the original owner, New Hampshire Sportsmen's Services of Durham, NH. The first letter from NHSS's president, dated May 25, 1971, discusses how the Pistol-Pac was purchased for police demonstration purposes, and was subsequently used to shoot the FBI Course without prior testing during a police instructional class. The letter wryly states: “I took three shots to check the sights, which were almost perfect, and then proceeded to fire the 60 shot course. I managed to shoot a score of 98-9x out of a possible 300. This sounds very poor but I was impressed with my shooting considering that only 24 of the 60 rounds fired. Obviously I was not impressed with the weapon. I proceeded to attempt to fire other different types of cartridges in the weapon, both .38 spl. And .357 mag. factory loads and reloads, with same results. Needless to say, I did not receive any orders for the Dan Wesson Arms that day, and further I made myself look very foolish.” Dan Wesson personally wrote back on May 27: “Your gun sounds like a bummer. Please return us the frame with cylinder only. In other words, remove the barrel and grip and send us the rest of your gun. We share with you your embarrassment and want to apologize for the agony you went through at the range.” The revolver was sent back for repair and returned in less than satisfactory condition prompting NHSS to send the gun back a second time along with a request for pricing of a “Sacramento” grip. The repaired revolver was finally returned in functional condition to NHSS on June 7, 1971 with a personal note from Dan Wesson on the invoice: “Thank you for being so patient with us. Please accept the Sacramento grips with my compliments.” This is a fantastic, early three digit Dan Wesson revolver that is in fine condition, and comes with extremely interesting original correspondence between the original owner and Dan Wesson himself. FFL
SOLD
Manufacturer: Dan Wesson
Model: W-12
Serial Number: 238
Caliber Info: .357 Mag
Gauge Info: .357 Mag