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April 23, 2013
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Just wanted to say hi. I just got my first ever handgun this morning. A Dan Wesson Stainless with the 8 inch barrel. Unfortunately not a complete pack, but none the less I got a good deal on it. I'm not sure exactly what model it is, but I was told that it's a first generation. And I'm the third owner, so pretty good I guess. Allegedly it hasn't had more than 1000 rounds put through it.
Anyway, hi to everybody and I'm looking forward to being part of the forum.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Welcome to the DWF! Post some pics and we can help you identify what you have! Tons of information on here; have a look around.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Dans Club
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April 20, 2010
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Welcome to the forum from PA.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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October 11, 2009
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Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Welcome to the Forum. Way, way back in time, a DW 15-2 was my first handgun, actually my first gun.
Things got a little out of control after that
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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Welcome to the mad house. Enjoy the site.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
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January 24, 2009
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Yes, let's see some
of that baby!
And 
to the
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DWF Supporters
May 11, 2011
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Welcome,
and watch out for the 
. Everybody here is infected!
post some pics if you can
April 23, 2013
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[Image Can Not Be Found][Image Can Not Be Found]
So, here's what I got. I believe it's a 715-H, due to it being stainless and with the full underlug on the barrel. It doesn't have any ports, so no "V" designation. I guess. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong 
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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715 8VH with Pachmayr Presentation grips. The V refers to the vent rib on the top of the shroud, the H is for the full length heavy underlug.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
April 23, 2013
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Thanks Steve! I can't wait till this weekend to take it to the range!
April 23, 2013
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Is there a definitive way to determine which generation it is?
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
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To get an approximate manufacture date for your 715, check out the serial # chart in the archives section in the header o at the top of this page.
There were 3 different manufacturing locations, if that is what you mean.
The first location was Monson Mass for Dan Wesson Arms
The second location was Palmer Mass for Wesson Firearms
The third location was Norwich NY for Dan Wesson Firearms where they still operate and manufacture dandy fine 1911s and also service revolvers if needed.
There is some interesting reading in the archives about the history of the company.
-Lonwolf
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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January 24, 2009
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Silverhead74 said
Is there a definitive way to determine which generation it is?
I can't add much more info, other than to surmise from the photos of the roll marks on the shroud seem to match the frame...looks like Monson roll mark from here. Although I can't see the frame roll marks, due to photo glare.
The shroud really looks like a Monson shroud from here, and assuming the frame is also roll marked Monson, that means your gun could be a late 80's gun. Looking at a "blown-up" example of your 1st pic, it looks to me that your s/n may have "357" ...with the obligatory "S" ahead of the rest of the s/n...of course, that could also include "SD" ahead of the number...both of which would indicate a very late Monson gun. That practice was carried over into & through the Palmer years.
Monson/Palmer roll mark "Macro" photos, we will be able to narrow it down a little further from there. 
April 23, 2013
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The roll mark matches from the frame to the shroud. And the serial number is "357S00511X" and is marked "Monson, Mass, USA"
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Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Welcome, this is the place to be for info. Is it Single action?
Nice 715, if you did not get a wrench and gauge with it be sure and check EWK you may want to gather some other grips for it also (LB is the master grip maker).
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January 24, 2009
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Silverhead74 said
Is there a definitive way to determine which generation it is?
The roll mark matches from the frame to the shroud. And the serial number is "357S00511X" and is marked "Monson, Mass, USA"
I consider your gun to be a 1st generation 715, with 3rd type s/n roll mark.
DW "generations" on certain models are often hard to pinpoint. I would say that technically, all the stainless 715's (Monson, Palmer & Norwich) were a first generation model, until they made a limited supply of the 2nd generation guns a couple years ago.
However, with closer inspection, I would argue that the Monson & Palmer guns are a 1st generation & other than subtle roll mark differences, are virtually identical. Many of the early Norwich guns used parts that were made on CNC machines & used laser etched marks instead of roll marks. So while there were manufacturing refinements, the overall design remained the same as it's predecessors...however, due to those refinements, I'd say it could be considered a 2nd gen gun. If that's agreed, then that means all carry-over models into the Norwich years are all next generation guns.
The latest gun introduced a couple years ago, has obvious subtle design changes & would easily be considered a new generation gun. Now that begs the question, is it technically considered a 2nd or 3rd gen 715? I'm going with 3rd gen, but that's merely my opinion not fact.
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