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April 19, 2022
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Hi Folks
Looking for info on this DW 357 i got from my dad before he passed away.
i think he got it late 60's to early 70's
I have oem grip and a 2 inch barell with it
Thanks
Oscar
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Welcome to the forum from PA! Pics would definitely help to get answers for your questions.
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DWF Supporters
June 11, 2016
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Welcome to the Forum from Wisconsin.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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Welcome to the Forum!
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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Per the DWF Serial Registry, it looks like it’s pre-1975. A very nice keepsake remembrance of your father.
https://www.danwessonforum.com/wp-content/files/DanWessonSerialNumbers.pdf
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January 24, 2009
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605Dart said
Welcome to the forum from PA! Pics would definitely help to get answers for your questions.
He has the photos in another thread.
New Dan Wesson owner New Members Introduction Dan Wesson Forum
Nice looking early 15-2, this was made before the interchangeable front sights. Which may have been one year only...+/- a couple months.
Just FYI, the Dan Wesson company began in 1970, with the model D11 & W12. 
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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ChargerFan, yet another knowledgeable DWF member, thank you for sharing! I learn so much here.
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January 24, 2009
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KurtB said
ChargerFan, yet another knowledgeable DWF member, thank you for sharing! I learn so much here.
Absolutely, I try to guard against some of the nefarious info out there from permeating our site as potential "fact" with actual facts of our own. In this case, I have chased down a thread that Eric Wesson (grandson of Dan) who posted lots of informative info. Regarding Ocar's particular gun, his Dad's gun was most definitely born in 1975, as one of the early 15-2's.
I would love to bring home a clean example of this early 15-2!
Link (post #3)...
Early Dan Wesson Serial number Information Reference Files Dan Wesson Forum
October 17, 2017
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My early 15-2 is only a few hundred guns earlier than this one. Your cylinder will have the removable collar/gas ring. It may come out easily, or it may be very stubborn, or it may never come out, but it’s there. Interesting design that was changed to a better system around 1977 or 78. Not problematic unless you need to shim for excess end shake; then you would need to get it out to place the shim underneath it.
October 17, 2017
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Another easily recognizable feature of the early 15-2 (and also all pork chops) is the less rounded hammer profile at the top. Also, the crane lock is not as tight a fit as current guns, but you can get a new stainless replacement from EWK Arms that is a tad thicker and will tighten up the crane nicely. Good shooting guns, just a little different from recent production pieces. Enjoy!
April 19, 2022
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Thanks for all the great info, I don't think dad put 200 rounds out of this gun.........
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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This site is a treasure trove. One could spend hours combing it for historical data. Love it!
October 17, 2017
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Sorry to mislead you; your gun is not a pork chop. All previous DW’s (prior to the 15-2) had what we affectionately refer to as a pork chop shroud which has a leg that comes down in front of the frame that actually holds the cylinder in place and locks the shroud in position. Here is a photo of my 15-1 which was the last porker. Great to see such nice photos of your DW; thanks for sharing!!
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January 24, 2009
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3ric said
My early 15-2 is only a few hundred guns earlier than this one. Your cylinder will have the removable collar/gas ring. It may come out easily, or it may be very stubborn, or it may never come out, but it’s there. Interesting design that was changed to a better system around 1977 or 78. Not problematic unless you need to shim for excess end shake; then you would need to get it out to place the shim underneath it.
Great info, thanks for posting.
Unless my memory is failing me again, this is the first I've heard of this collar. Maybe it's brass by chance? The one in your photo appears fairly worn on the outside, leading me to presume it was a press-in brass piece.
October 17, 2017
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Definitely not brass; that would never hold up to the hot burning gasses. It’s a precisely fit tube of hardened steel that is pressed into a milled out recess at the front of the cylinder. Be aware that this area receives the same flame cutting as the top strap! I recently purchased a couple of replacement parts from Numrich, and luckily they were a little longer allowing me to file them down to a perfect fit on my two early DWs. Almost zero end shake now. The new ones are Stainless Steel.
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January 24, 2009
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Thanks 3ric, good to know.
And yep, I get your mention of it receiving the same heat as the top strap, I should have thought a bit more into that before making my earlier comment. That totally makes sense. I bet your early 15-2 drives like a newbie! 
October 17, 2017
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I bought the gun used, and frankly, abused. Previous owner/owners had subjected it to many viscous loads judging by the severe ratchet marks on the breech face and the amount of end shake present. Yet, it always shot very well despite the damage. Can’t really say it shoots any better now, but at least I know it’s not getting beat up any more when I take it to the range. End shake is an insidious enemy of a revolver.
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