From years of collecting PD Service Revolvers probably the best time period I enjoyed was the late 1980's when PD trade-ins would sometimes go for 100-dollars. For 100-dollars, in those years, I purchased a variety of Model 10's. From 4-inch Heavy & Tapered Barrel Models to 6-inch versions and all at or around 100-dollars. I acquired also, in the same price range, two Colt Metropolitans, Official Police MK III, the Official Police, and the Police Positive Special. Ah, that was a great time for a collector of PD revolvers. Now these sixguns, for the most part, had a lot of hard cop-wear but were still a bargain at 100-bucks. They aren't around much, if at all, anymore!

I was always a NYPD Walter Mitty in that I tried to obtain representative ex-NYPD sixguns of each model they authorized in the past 100-years. I was fortunate in that I was able to acquire all "save one", and that one is a .38 authorized around 1971. You would think that a revolver in those years would be an easy capture but for me that particular service revolver has been a "bridge too far" as far as getting one, finding out info on it, or even speaking to someone (first person) who knows anything about it. This hard to find ex-NYPD Revolver was the blue steel Dan Wesson Model 11 chambered in .38 and a four-inch "fixed" barrel. The Dan Wesson revolver was renowned for its accuracy and barrel change feature. This NYPD-authorized DW Model 11 was a "special" order strictly for the NYPD, that was offered to rookie officers in or around the early 1970's. I have not been able to locate one, find out any of the background data to this particular sixgun, or any NYPD Officer who owned and carried one on duty. I know there is someone who could enlightened me on this "mystery" NYPD sixgun, I just haven't located that person yet. I was hoping someone here might offer some suggestions or info that could help me. My thanks in advance and sorry for the length here.
David

Dabney:

How interesting. I've never heard of a Dan Wesson Model 11 until now. Recently, I saw an on-line advertisement for someone trying to sell a "fixed barrel" Dan Wesson. The owner stated the barrel was not machined to be removed easily. Photos of the piece were somewhat blurry, and if I recall correctly, showed a pretty good bit of blueing loss.

Thanks to you, I learned something new today.

Regards,

Dave

Hi dabney. Yes, the NYPD Dan Wesson did exist. Over 30 years ago, I knew an officer who carried one. He told me that he had experienced difficulty with a S&W on the firing line and that he purchased the DW thereafter. He was not a rookie at the time. He may have been the first officer to use one, but I have no specifics. I lost touch with this fellow over 25 years ago and have no further info. I know his name and shield number from that time, but I refuse to disclose them for reasons of confidentiality. Stay safe partner.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

If it helps, I have seen a picture of one, but I have never seen one in person. Have you made an effort to talk to R. M. Vivas. He has lots of information on NYPD revolvers, but I heard he closed his gun shop and I have not seen any posts by him on this forum for quite a while. The last I heard his gun shop was in Philmont, NY. He still has a web page, but it says it was last updated in 2008.

Here is a post attributed to Mr. Vivas on another forum about the DW Model 11 (I removed all portions not related to the DW Model 11):

"October 11, 2004, 11:13 AM
. . . .

The Dan Wesson Model 11 was an authorized gun at one point (as part of the decentralization concept of having multiple gun suppliers) but VERY VERY few were sold and I never did find purchase records for them. I have never seen one on the street.

. . . .

RM Vivas
www.vivasandson.com
[email protected]"

I learned something here.
I remember a fixed barrel DW revolver from the 1990s, but this my first time hearing of the fixed barrel model 11.

__________________
What would Jim Cirillo do?

My friend who bought my Dan Wesson Pistol-Pac off me twenty-some years ago stopped by with one of those awhile ago. Non-changeable 4in barrel and fixed sights. Don't recall any model marking.

Isn't Dan Wesson owned by CZ now?

Thanks Shawn McCarver very much for your response to my search! You are the first I have encountered who has direct knowledge of the NYPD .38 Dan Wesson Model 11. I contacted Mr. Vivas about two years ago concerning this and he was able to acknowledge the existence of the NYPD DW Model 11, but no, he had never seen one and did not have one in his impressive collection. Another dead end street! I have reached out for help in other forums, including the Dan Wesson, but so far to no aval. This search has been going on for a long time now and your info has been the best so far. Thanks again kind sir! Will keep looking and searching, someone somewhere can help me if I find them.
David