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September 19, 2010
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Greetings all. I recently purchased a Dan Wesson Model 15 in .357 Magnum. It has a 4 digit serial number 951X and was made in Monson Mass. I bought it from the original owner, and it is new, unfired. He can't recall the year he bought it, but says it's the "First year" whatever that means. I am wondering what such a piece is worth, first of all. I also am considering trading t, as I really wanted a Super Blackhawk in .44 Mag, and I hate to shoot this unfired weapon and ruin it's collectible value. Can anyone give me an idea of what it's worth? It has no paper work, no additional barrels, just the 5" barrell that's on it. It is in perfect condition. Also, can anyone tell me what year it was made? How are these guns as shooters? Is this a collectable piece, or should I just shoot it? Thanks for any help.
September 19, 2010
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I forgot to add a few details. First, the serial number is not printed on the side of the gun. You must swing out the cylinder to see it. Also, it appears to be a target model, with target grips and an adjustable rear sight. The end of the barell looks like the inner sleeve is removaeble. I'm not sure what that's all about. Thanks again for any info.
February 11, 2010
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Hey Cricco,
1. Can anyone give me an idea of what it's worth :
A: $150-$300 depending on buyer and area ( Charger Fan can add info here ? )
2. can anyone tell me what year it was made :
A: Early 70's ( Steve is the keeper of knowledge for this)
3. How are these guns as shooters :
A: Excellent !
4. Is this a collectable piece ? :
A: Most model 15's are considered shooters, not as highly sought after as say
the 414 or a 745
5. or should I just shoot it ? :
A: You won't regret it !
6. The end of the barell looks like the inner sleeve is removaeble
A: Yes, the barrel is removable, replacible, and adjustible.
How about a picture, that may help!
-Blacktop
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Without seeing pictures, I'd guess it's a Model 15, or 15-1. Those would have been produced late 1971 to early 1975. I'm guessing this is a 6" barrel measured from cylinder face to muzzle. Value is very subjective, but it has minimal collector value due to the absence of box, manual, sales receipt, (barrel wrench?), etc.
I'd shoot it, and I believe you will find it to be a good shooter. I'm not likely to ever talk someone out of a Dan Wesson revolver, but if you can trade it (even up) for a .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk, and that's the gun you really want, that might be a good deal.
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
February 11, 2010
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I suspect this may be a porkchop model 15 being how the 4 digit serial is behind
crane arm. That's why I figured Chargerfan (prince of porkchops) could help.
Need to get a picture to confirm this for sure.
-Blacktop
September 19, 2010
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Blacktop,
Yes! You are correct. This IS a porkchop model 15. Is that bad?
September 19, 2010
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I apologize for the crappy pictures, but here she is…..
October 26, 2008
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cricco said:
I apologize for the crappy pictures, but here she is…..
nice looking 15 (no dash or -1?) yes that's a porkchop, need CF or shoot to tell you, and me, if it's a no dash or -1
May 17, 2010
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A "porkchop" gun is NOT bad. The early designs of the gun used the extra-long "tang" down the front of the gun to index the shroud to the frame. Later, only a small "indexing pin" was used thus eliminating the "porkchop" extension on the shroud. Neither design is "flawed" functionally, however visually the tangless design seemed to garner more acceptance from the buying public.
I do not really know, but I strongly suspect there are many more new style shrouds out in circulation than porkchop shrouds. Is this good or bad? Depends on what your looking for. If the gun is just an investment, then the more scarce porkchop shrouds/frames are more rare and thus may have a greater potential for value increase. If you are only interested in shooting and want to add to shrouds you can use, then you will have more trouble finding other shrouds. If you just want to shoot the gun with the shroulds you have then you have no issue.
Personally I have waffled as to which I like more. I very much like a porkchop snubby. I prefer a new style on long shrouds like 6" and more. But all of it is just visuals, functionally the guns both shoot and function great.
Your porkchop takes a back-seat to NO-ONE. The design of the DW revolver (both porkchop and not) is one of the few functional changes to the revolver design to be successfully implemented since the revolver was originally designed.
I guess they are gonna say I am on auto again.... 
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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Pinetor said:
I guess they are gonna say I am on auto again....
That was because your post appeared 3 times in a row... not because you were long-winded ... 
SHOOT
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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Great looking Chop 
. Very clean looking -- nice original grip also. I'd guess that is a 15-1 with the recessed nut. My mind is foggy as to the differences between the 15 and 15-1... However, I'm sure my Chop brother CF will be along shortly to straighten us out.
SHOOT
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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From the rear sight I believe that is a 15 no dash, and a very nice one at 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
September 19, 2010
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Thanks guys. It was purchased brand new in 1971. It has never been fired. I am arguing with myself about whether or not I should shoot it, or trade it to someone who wants it as a collectible.
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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First off, congrats on the great looking new 'Chop!
Second, 
aboard!
These guys have probably covered most of your questions.
The Porkchop design is sort of an aquired taste, and as such, it does inhibit it's resale value. Usually an unfired 'Chop that's in good shape (without a bunch of handling/character marks) will fetch somewhere between $275 ~ 400 on the auction sites. Often it's closer to $300. Even though the gun isn't as easy on the eye as most, it's performance at the range really makes it shine!
As Steve posted above, the large rear sight places it in the 15 no-dash group. The flush barrel nut was one of the first outward design changes to make it more appealing to the buying public, which at this time I'm fairly certain places the gun's manufacture date in the 1972 ~ early 73 range (+ or - a couple months).
Your barrel should measure 5¾ ... measured from the cylinder face, to the end of the barrel. The external nut Porkchops & the later 15-2's were a true 6" in length.
Your gun's serial number is within 170 of my own Model 15...making it the closest I've seen so far.
September 19, 2010
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Charger Fan,
Thanks for all the great info! Your information was spot on! The picture you posted looks exactly like my model 15. Within 170 in serial numbers? Wow, that's weird! I think I'm going to just shoot this gun. Like some other great things, the first time will be painful, but after that, I'm sure I'll fall in love with my model 15. BTW, thanks for the warm welcome o the site, and I'm very happpy to be here. I spend most of my time on the cast boolits site, but I think I may be here just as often. Lots of great info and people here!
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Glad to have ya here, let us know how it drives!
I take mine to the range frequently...the only thing it doesn't like to shoot is my too-deeply-crimped reloads.
ummm, woops! 
September 19, 2010
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Charger Fan,
Do you have any suggestions for a good reload recipe for my model 15? How about a bullet mold suggestion? Thanks again for everything.
October 26, 2008
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Cricco,
I shoot homecast lead exclusively, I use either the Lyman mold #358156 158gr. SWC(actual cast is about 165 gr.) or the Saeco 180gr. silhouette with 13.2gr. of 2400 with the 358156 or 12.5-13.0 gr. of 2400 with the 180 (depends on what I want to do) both of these are gas check bullets. I have used the Lyman 170gr. SWC and it is an awesome bullet but I stopped using it because I got the 180 for the MAX and don't have the desire to cast another bullet, it's hard enough to keep up w/o throwing another in the mix. The little bit of experiment with AA#9 that I have done it seems like an awesome powder that produces the same power with less powder and seems to be a little less apt to lead in my .41, don't have that issue normally with 357 due to gas check.
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Having just recently delved into the reloading scene, I can't really say I've found the perfect Model 15 combo yet. However, so far I have found some pretty nice results with 158gr Berry's FMJ bullets over 7.3gr of Unique.
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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Charger Fan said:
Having just recently delved into the reloading scene, I can't really say I've found the perfect Model 15 combo yet. However, so far I have found some pretty nice results with 158gr Berry's FMJ bullets over x7.3gr of Unique.
Hey, I'm not home right now to check this out, but that sounds REALLY hot for a 158 plated bullet. Did you mean 7.3 ?
SHOOT
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