Daniel B. Wesson II
American gunsmith (1916–1978)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Daniel Baird Wesson II (April 22, 1916 – November 24, 1978)[1] was an American inventor and firearms maker, who in 1968 founded the company now known as Dan Wesson Firearms. He was the great-grandson of inventor and firearms maker Daniel Baird Wesson, a co-founder of Smith & Wesson.
April 28, 1916
Daniel B. Wesson II | |
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| Born | Daniel Baird Wesson II April 28, 1916 |
| Died | November 24, 1978 (aged 62) Monson, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Amherst College |
| Occupations | Firearms maker and inventor |
| Known for | founder of Dan Wesson Firearms |
| Spouse | Rosamond Lefevre[1] |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Daniel B. Wesson (great-grandfather) |
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Biography
Wesson was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in April 1916.[1] He was educated at Deerfield Academy and Amherst College after an extra year at the Gow School.[2] He worked at Smith & Wesson,[3] the family company, for 30 years.[1] After the family company was acquired by conglomerate Bangor Punta, he left and launched Dan Wesson Arms Inc. in 1968.[4]
The first Dan Wesson Arms production revolvers, the Model 11 & 12 (later revolvers were marked as D11 & W12) were shipped in August 1970. Wesson's firearms were known for a high quality of craftsmanship, and the company introduced a rare design among revolvers; the ability to change barrels and grips with simple hand tools, which made these guns popular with shooters.
Wesson died in November 1978, having suffered a heart attack while chopping wood at his home in Monson, Massachusetts.[1] His company subsequently went through several ownership changes, was run by his son Seth from 1991 to 1995, and in 2005 was acquired by CZ-USA.