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January 28, 2013
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Hi all....I am a total "no nothing about this gun" gal and trying to find out what model I might have. All I'm seeing anywhere is the Model 8-2. I just rechecked my gun and it doesn't look anything like the number 2. Has to be Mod 8-5 or Mod 8-S... Have someone interested in buying this gun and have no clue what to charge for it. The model and serial number are on the inside after you flip the cylinder out. Any body out there than can help me? Thank you
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December 4, 2011
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If you could give us a bit more info we can help you better. Is there any model designation stamped on the frame right side? What is stamped on the barrel shroud?
Can this gun chamber 357 mag rounds or just 38 special?
Does it have adjustable sights or fixed sights?
If you could post a pic that would help also.
Sorry for the questions but without sufficient info we can't even tell what model you have.
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April 20, 2010
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Welcome, sure we will try to help you. With not much description it is difficult, have you looked at the 'What model do I have' thread under the revolver forum? I am guessing yours is an early model if the serial # is under the crane.
Pics would help us greatly, we could tell the exact model and condition and I am sure several guys here would give you honest value opinions.
-Lonwolf93
"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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If it's actually a model 8, it will be a "-2" gun...because, well, they only made them as -2's.
A model 8 will look like this, it will have a fixed rear sight, and chamber .38 Special only. Barrel length & grips can vary, of course.
If your gun doesn't look like this, you may have one of the "Porkchop" models similar to this?
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February 22, 2009
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Looks like the guys have you covered. Pics will definitely help!
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
January 28, 2013
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Hello again and thank you all for your imput. I am attaching some pictures of this gun. It definitely says Mod 8-S after I took a closer look. If after looking at these pics if you have any value suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!
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January 24, 2009
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Wow, now that is interesting!
This is the first time I've seen anything besides a serial number stamped there on the frame. To me, that definitely looks like a model 14. What is marked on the right side of the frame? A "usual" model 14 will look like this...
As to value, from it's appearance, I would say somewhere in the $250 to $350 range...depending on the wallet size of potential buyers at the time, of course.
January 28, 2013
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No Model number on the frame
January 28, 2013
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February 22, 2009
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Hmm, another piece of obscure history....
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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January 24, 2009
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Okay, now that's a real head scratcher there. Just when a guy thinks he has most of the DW puzzle pieces in place, along comes something like this.
This is very intriguing. To me, the s/n stamp does look like a typical (often) crooked factory DW stamp job for the period. So this makes me think that they may have been pondering a new .38 Special model (8) number long before the -2 guns. The "S" part on later models would indicate a stainless gun, which this one is obviously not. So I have no theory at all regarding the "S".
Please check your PM box at the top of this screen...
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December 4, 2011
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I have a model 15 porker that has "15-B" stamped inside the crane. They seemed to like these suffixes but there doesn't seem to be any obvious meaning to associate with them.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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January 24, 2009
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SCORPIO said
I have a model 15 porker that has "15-B" stamped inside the crane. They seemed to like these suffixes but there doesn't seem to be any obvious meaning to associate with them.
Okay, now both of you are freaking me out here. Sorpio, Is your s/n also near the 21xxx range? My 15 (not 15-1, right?) looks like this...
I have a pic of a 5-digit frame-under-crane stamp somewhere, but I sure can't find it tonight.
Scratch that, I found it.
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December 4, 2011
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Serial # 212XX 15-B.
Enlighten me agian on the differences between the model 15 and the 15-1. I'm not a pork chop expert and the whole 15/15-1 thing is a bit blurred to me.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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January 24, 2009
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SCORPIO said
Serial # 212XX 15-B.Enlighten me agian on the differences between the model 15 and the 15-1. I'm not a pork chop expert and the whole 15/15-1 thing is a bit blurred to me.
I had a hunch! The s/n similarities definitely have to point to something significant in DW's evolution. One of these days that puzzle piece will plop onto the table.
Okay, the 15 Porkchop models. Although there has (so far) been no direct correlation from one model (15 & 15-1) to the next from DW themselves (catalogs or articles) thus far, this is my working theory. I have posted this elsewhere, but I can't get the search feature to cooperate tonight.
The model 15 directly followed the model 12. The main visual difference (I.E.; selling point at the time) between the 12 & 15 is the flush barrel nut (plus a larger firing pin), externally they seem the same. The most distinguishable features on the 15 is an early (fat) rear sight & early style serrated crane release.
The 15-1 (and the 14-1) had many improvements done to the action. From what I can tell, the action remained virtually unchanged into the "-2" models. External changes to the "-1's" were what I call "the Ruger" rear sight (I always forget the actual maker) , the mushroomed ejector rod & and the more current style cylinder release (although they were matte blued, not gloss). S/N roll marks moved to the right side of the frame, with no model designation.
Here's a comparison shot of my 15 & 15-1 rear sights. The 15-1 has obvious holster wear.Yet it's certainly more svelte and thin than it's clunky brother, on the right.
During the short span of the 15-1 (possibly the shortest model evolution of the DW. My current guess is 18 months or less), the "Powerwood" grip was introduced. There were a few styles of this grip, none of which were made of actual wood. My personal theory to it's demise was because of the non-wood makeup of the "Powerwood" name.
The Powerwood grips were a carefully crafted plastic...you really have to hold one in your hand to truly appreciate, honest. Here's one example...
March 9, 2015
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I also have the Dan Wesson 38 with no model # stamped anywhere. Not even on the crane. Looking on here, it looks like a model 8-2. Anyone have a clue?
December 19, 2014
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Cool, resurrected thread. I can't add anything more than what's here https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/revolvers/what-model-do-i-have-start-here/. But I'll make a guess as to the -B and -S on the early models: -B = blue (shiny, very!), -S = satin (blue). I recall reading somewhere either on this forum or some other review of DW and he was not a fan of stainless steel and would not make a gun using it. So I always thought that was why we didn't see stainless steel revolvers until after his passing (and a ways past). But just my guessing, which might be off base.
Oh, and my 15 is earlier than yours (121xx) but doesn't haven't anything other than the serial number under the crane, and the Model 15 stamped on the right side, and is mostly shiny blue (except for it's age showing through). I think maybe there was some "unchecked" stamping going on at the factory in the early days, LOL.
HOWEVER... Charger Fan - what's that 38 special barrel doing on that model 14 (post 7)???
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January 24, 2009
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Sorry for the delay guys, I just spotted this thread...then promptly had to reduce BOTH of the pics you guys posted, because you almost crashed my poor old confuzer.
Please, please...reduce the file size when you post pics, to a more forum friendly size. 640x480 is plenty large. But I digress...
Okay, first off, this is a 2 year old thread...the
collectively has learned a LOT since then. One huge Godsend to this site was when Eric Wesson joined! Eric has been able to fill in a ton of blanks that were previously unknown. Middlecalf, most of your questions (including the B & S) are answered in THIS THREAD
Middlecalf, the Model 14 I have in post #7 was initially available from DW as either a .38 or .357...I have one of each (shown below), made prior to s/n# 21000.As shown on the thread in the link, beginning with s/n #21027, DW decided to assign the .38's their own model, leaving the Model 14 specifically as a .357 Mag. I myself was unaware of the existence of this model until the OP started this very thread.
Mindmech, you are correct, you have a Model 8-2. Congrats on landing that one!
December 19, 2014
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Good stuff charger fan. I had seen Eric's info (I posted near the end of it a little while back). But I didn't see anything referring to .38spl or .357 so didn't realize there was an early model 14 .38spl. Hard to tell from your pic, what's the difference, anything discernible (looks like even the cylinder is the same length)?
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January 24, 2009
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middlecalf said
Hard to tell from your pic, what's the difference, anything discernible (looks like even the cylinder is the same length)?
Aside from the rollmark on the shroud, externally, they appear identical. However, the bores in the cylinder are not bored as deep on the .38 & definitely won't accept .357 rounds. One of the neatest things to me about these two is that they are exactly 30 digits apart from each other, with the .357 having been stamped shortly after the .38...
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