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March 25, 2009
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Hey guys! A friend of mine got a DW revolver handed down to him from his grandfather who has since passed away. I am trying to figure out for him when it was built. The serial number is 1910xx (no letters in the serial number). It was made in Monson. It is a .357mag and I think its a model 15 but I'm not sure. It has an adjustable sight, vented, 6" heavy barrel and is blued. Does anyone have any idea when it could have been built? I kind of figured that there would be a sticky here with serial number ranges but I haven't found anything even after searching.
He doesn't want to sell it but any idea on its value?
Thanks for a great forum!
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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There is some limited serial number info on our Archives page. Unfortunately, Dan Wesson went through several ownership/location changes, and each time the records disappeared into the bowels of BATFE, never to be seen again. The Monson 15-2 VH 6" is the signature item for Dan Wesson revolvers, and while it is a good revolver, there are more of them out there than any other DW. Determining value is very tough because the firarm market is kind of nutty now, and DW's are becoming more collectlble every day. Check GB for prevailing auction prices, which I think are a little inflated.
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
December 17, 2008
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Sounds like a nice heirloom. Nice thing to have from your grandfather. That's a model 15-2 and was built right around mid 1979, give 'er take a few months.
If it has the double underlug shroud, its a 15-2VH, if not it is a 15-2V if it has a vented rib and just a plain 15-2 if it doesn't.
Check the "files" heading under the archive tab and look at the 1978 brochure we have there - nice color pictures, etc. of each variation.
You should be forewarned that if your buddy has one, it's only fitting that you have one. And “have one” is only a figure of speech, if you catch my drift…
So when you get yours we'll expect you back on the forum full time!
March 25, 2009
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Thanks guys! I appriciate the help! I took my friend shooting today and he shot his DW for the first time. I was very impressed by it.
As for me having to have one….. I already have that ONE taken care of (and I love it)! There will hopefully be more in the future.
December 17, 2008
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Dang, now that's the way to make a point...what a beauty - another CRA, eh?
Now we can provide the official welcome - Great to have you on board arrover!
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Woah!
A 10" IHMSA barrel on a stainless .22, nice choice! That's a real beauty there, are you sure you don't wanna sell that to...oh, I dunno...ME?
J/K, that is a great looking DW, though.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Welcome aboard! Nice looking and very special Dan Wesson. Pictures right away too.
Hope you enjoy your stay here with us.
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
April 25, 2008
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Very nice IHMSA gun! I have one just like it, and now I want the blued version.
The Savantist
March 25, 2009
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Thanks again guys for helping date my friends gun.
And thanks for the compliments on my DW! About a year ago I saw a blued version listed on Cabellas website. I think they wanted something around $800 for it. Are there any records that tell how many .22 Silhouette guns were produced? I think I've only seen 3 or 4 on the internet....not that that means anything.
December 17, 2008
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All we really know about records is that they all went to the BATF when the company folded (each time...).
Seth Wesson, Jr. whose Dad ran the company during it's Palmer incarnation noted that Seth, Sr. still has some records - but we don't really know what they are (business Vs. product, etc).
Kind of adds to the "Dan Wesson Mystique" - but it's not terribly helpful for things like determining date of manufacuture, # of units by model, etc.
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
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I think I'd like to trade a bit of the "Dan Wesson Mystique" for production figures any 'ol time. 😀
March 25, 2009
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Yeah thats a little sad that the records have sort of disappeared. I think the Ruger guys have a similar problem with lack of documentation. I think they just try to gather pieces of the puzzle here and there.
December 17, 2008
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Exactly what we are doing as well.
We have several correlating data points that allow us to be accurate within 6 mos. on a lot of these serial numbers - your buddies # happens to be one of those.
We are always looking for any dated documentation that was in a pistol pac or revolver box when the gun was originally purchased. Barrel wrappers are dated, pricelists, letters, factory communications, etc.
Several of us here in the forum have the original barrel wrappers (dated) and they identify a roughly six month timeframe after the date on the wrapper.
There is a forum topic on Serial Numbers. Do a quick search & you can see some of the info we've compiled.
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