Anyone know about the NYPD Dan Wesson Model 11?

[dabney]

Sometimes in or around 1970 the NYPD approved-for-duty-use the brand new first production Dan Wesson Model 11. This was Dan Wesson's first entry into double-action revolver manufacture with their .357 Model 11. This was a fixed sight revolver, chambered in .357, and with the unique barrel removal/swap design, a first of its kind. The revolver was a medium frame size with dimensions roughly the same as the S&W K-Frame. There were several grip types to choose from with this Dan Wesson six-gun. It was a design way ahead of the curve. Still is, for the many, like myself, who lament the passing of Dan Wesson himself and the Company under his leadership. Somehow, someway, Mr. Dan, convinced the NYPD to accept his newly produced Model 11 as a duty carry service revolver. In order to gain their approval he had to modify his Model 11 to NYPD acceptance levels. First, the four-inch barrel was made "fixed", chambered in .38 Special only, and in blue steel. This NYPD Model 11 was made available to rookie cops for purchase at the "Gun Day" occasion. These Dan Wesson's were offered for a few short years to NYPD and a few got out from what I have ascertained from much research into this subject matter. From speaking/communicating with retired NYPD personnel, I have tracked only a couple of former officers who knew or had any info on this. I have collected NYPD six-guns and this "great white whale" has eluded me forever and a day.
I have owned a blue steel .357 Model 11 (4"bbl.) for many years. It is one of the most accurate-shooting, fixed sight service revolvers I have ever shot. When you anchor her down in an adjustable pistol perch, using .38 158gr. LRN ammo, it will literally shoot a cloverleaf pattern at 20-yards. I have no other six-gun that can shoot a "small" 3-shot cloverleaf like this. I carry the Model 10-6 and Colt Official Police as duty arms as a lawman and love both. That being said, I cannot get either to shoot the kind of group that DW Model 11 is capable of. It was truly a unique six-gun design. The short hammer drop took some getting use to, as well as the trigger-action. But once conquered, you had one accurate handgun in your possession.

Does any of my friends here know "anything" about the NYPD Dan Wesson Model 11? I would love to hear the stories about this rare gun.

David

[kaaskop49]

Not much to tell. I knew an NYPD officer who carried one after he had problems (forget exactly what) with his Model 10. He liked it very much, never got into any confrontations with it. He retired in 1983; I've since lost touch with him.

Perhaps equally rare, I saw an officer with a Colt Metropolitan: the .38Spl version of the Mark III Lawman.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[dabney]

Many thanks for your response. There is not much info available on this NYPD arm. In the years I have researched this subject matter, I have located only two, now three, counting your info of individual NYPD Officers that carried the DW Model 11. In James Wagner's book, My Life in the NYPD, he lists the Dan Wesson as one of three approved for duty arms on page 78 (paperback) for new NYPD rooks to choose from at his starting time of 1970. Thanks again sir!

David

[StakeOut]

I knew about them but I can't recall ever seeing anyone on the firing line with one or out in the field.
I liked my 10-6 so much I never thought of replacing it,only making it better.
Archie Dubia,the famous S&W factory gunsmith,did my Model 10-6 action job and Emergency Squad Sgt Pete Wardell put a fixed bar rear sight on it.I added wood Hogue grips

When I retired there was a line of guys that wanted to buy it.

[dabney]

Stakeout, I know exactly what you mean in regards to the Model 10-6. I had read, years ago, about this NYPD Dan Wesson in a Massad Ayoob article in "HANDGUNS" magazine. The article was about the shooting hardware and tactics training that Lt. McGhee, and other instructors, at Rodman's Range were doing. A super, well written piece, that covered the S&W Models 10 and 64, the Ruger GP-NY, and even my beloved Colt Official Police was covered. He (Ayoob) made a brief mention of the NYPD Dan Wesson .38, which had a "fixed" four-inch barrel and chambered in .38 Special. He went on to say that it only got out in small numbers to NYPD new-be officers. Sometimes later, I started researching, talking, asking, calling any and everyone who might could provide info. I took the subject matter to my good friends at the Dan Wesson Forum and came up empty. Very few gun historians know anything about the NYPD Dan Wesson, even veteran NYPD officers from that time period (1970's). There is a great, historical story behind this gun waiting to be uncovered and shared with those interested in NYPD shooting irons. Maybe one day I'll get lucky and stumble upon that person who knows. Thanks Stakeout for your response!

David

[824tsv]

Hi David,
Didn't the DW Model 11 have the ugly exposed nut protruding from the end of the barrel?
Since the NYPD wanted a non removable barrel did DW do away with this feature (the exposed nut) for their production run?

Robert

[dabney]

Originally Posted by 824tsv

Hi David,
Didn't the DW Model 11 have the ugly exposed nut protruding from the end of the barrel?
Since the NYPD wanted a non removable barrel did DW do away with this feature (the exposed nut) for their production run?

Robert

On that I'm not certain. My guess is that the "Flash Gordon" looking, Dan Wesson Model 11, with the "exposed" barrel nut on the end of its 4-inch barrel, was presented to NYPD as originally produced. Minus two features;

1-Four-inch barrel was not removable.
2-Chambered in .38 Special per NYPD mandates.

You have to remember that in 1970, when the Model 11 came out, the design profile had not been critique by gun writers too much. That would follow later. For me, I got to loving this gun the first time I took mine to the range for testing. I have no other 4-inch revolver that possesses the accuracy of that odd-looking Dan Wesson first production six-gun. Thank you so much for your response and question. It gives me the chance to brag the Model 11 up. The accuracy factor, you must see it to believe it!

David