Register
Log In
Home
March 13, 2014
Offline
I'm in the process of purchasing Dan Wesson wood grips to replace a Hogue mono.
Stats for my .357 :
serial #159xx
Dan Wesson Arms
Monson, Mass.
Model 15
Made in USA
What year is my gun, and what emblem should be on the grip?
script DW or the DWA block letters?
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
I'm guessing, a model 11/12 ,maybe without 12 sided nut or an early 14/15. If so, look for one of the early grip styles without medallion or with the early small medallion. A powerwood (plastic grip) would be appropriate. Pictures are needed. Trurh be told, any grip you like( packmyer, gripper, Hogue, DW, DWA, target, Sacremento, zebra or custom) works. Get several and dress up for formal occasions.
March 13, 2014
Offline
Thanks for the information. What does the "early small medallion" look like? Here's photos, I also have a 6" barrel. 
These are not the original grips, but hey they were free.
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
Nice!!! Probably made in 1971 or 1972. The grips are very appropriate but any of the early styles would be too.
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
Your model 15 would have originally had no grip emblems (medallions), just a plain wood grip. What you have is very likely original to the gun. Somewhere during the 15-1 models & into the early 15-2's DW introduced a Powerwood grip (plastic made to look like wood), with small plastic medallion like this.
These medallions were originally silver coated, although the silver rubs off easily, leaving the white plastic. These medallions were approximately 2/3 to 1/2 the size of the later DWF & DW medallions.
BTW, good looking 15 you have there, thanks for showing it off!
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
Offline
My model 15 has a powerwood grip with the small emblem, I believe it is original, I have the original box numbered to the gun and the cutout in the box matches the grip.
I also think the wood grip on the OP's model 15 could be very appropriate, most model 15s that I see and the earlier models have a plain wood grip of some variety. It definitely would not have a later grip with the larger medallion.
Dan Wesson must have used a hundred different variations of grips over the years, unfortunately there are hardly any revolver models that you could say specifically came with a certain exact type of grip. Makes for a lot of choices though to find a grip that makes your Dan fit your own hand.
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
lonwolf93 said
My model 15 has a powerwood grip with the small emblem, I believe it is original, I have the original box numbered to the gun and the cutout in the box matches the grip.
You are probably right, Lonwolf. I'm relying on various magazine articles & ads to obtain my timeline guesstimate. Plus, sometimes I get the approximate years of various features mixed up in my wee brain...
...which doesn't help matters at all.
Dans Club
DWF Supporters
April 20, 2010
Offline
CF, sometimes it seems like there were times that procurement at the Dan Wesson factory bought batches of various styles of grips, dumped them all in a barrel and as each revolver was finished a worker just reached in grabbed a grip and put it on!
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
March 13, 2014
Offline
Thanks for all the help!!
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
lonwolf93 said
CF, sometimes it seems like there were times that procurement at the Dan Wesson factory bought batches of various styles of grips, dumped them all in a barrel and as each revolver was finished a worker just reached in grabbed a grip and put it on!
The other possible explanation is that DW grips very easily and freely interchange. The OP's grip appears to be identical to the grip on my (fairly early) 15-2, refinished in a very high gloss polyurethane.
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
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
lonwolf93 said
CF, sometimes it seems like there were times that procurement at the Dan Wesson factory bought batches of various styles of grips, dumped them all in a barrel and as each revolver was finished a worker just reached in grabbed a grip and put it on!
That's very probable. In the first dozen years of the DW franchise experience, I presume many companies were awarded the "low bid" on certain options. Grip makers were likely a dime-a-dozen back then, so I can't fault DW for going for a good & profitable deal. Business is business, after all.
Regarding the Powerwood idea...I assume this was first pitched from such an aforementioned supplier. And it was a doozy! Looking at the grips, I bet if I was in the room, I would have been on board too! They look really great & still fool people to this very day. But of course, once customers caught on to the fact that they were plastic, I imagine the bottom fell out rather rapidly...like overnight. I hope those guys squirreled away some of that whirlwind...
1 Guest(s)
