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July 20, 2022
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I inherited my father's Wesson Firearms .357 and have no fricking clue as to the actual model.
I've read through the info threads on serial numbers and models but the pics I'm seeing on the internet of the various models don't exactly line up to what I actually have. Either it has slots/vents on it which mine doesn't or it doesn't have the same undercut at the barrel end like mine.
I have no idea where Dad got it or even when he got it as he rarely ever took it out of the safe except when he went out to the farm. After a function check and examining the cylinder head rotation and spacing I've taken it to the range and run about 100 rounds of .357 through it and it's still working just fine. I haven't done anything to it at all, this is exactly as Dad had it.
Attached is a pic of it. There are no other markings on it except for this view.
I'd appreciate it if someone could let me know what model this is and possible when it was made.
Thank you all for your time,
Iball
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Welcome to the forum from PA!
Looks like you have a model 715 (small frame). 7 is for stainless, 15 is for adjustable sights. You have what is known as a heavy barrel. There are heavy, vented heavy, vented (under cut), and just an under cut one.
July 20, 2022
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605Dart said
Welcome to the forum from PA!Looks like you have a model 715 (small frame). 7 is for stainless, 15 is for adjustable sights. You have what is known as a heavy barrel. There are heavy, vented heavy, vented (under cut), and just an under cut one.
Thanks for the info!
Yes, after a lot more research I can confirm that this does appear to be the fixed-barrel 715 and was manufactured at Palmer sometime between 1993-1995.
I like it. It's my first revolver and was Dad's only handgun so he obviously trusted it. The current holster I have for it is a cheap one but better than Uncle Mike's and I'm currently looking for a Kydex holster for it for when I'm out tramping around the farm myself. We sometimes get bears and gators out there, and luckily they tend to run away from humans but one never knows. I think that's why Dad carried it out there as well.
Well, I've got a lot of reading on this site to do. You have a great evening!
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January 24, 2009
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605Dart said
Welcome to the forum from PA!Looks like you have a model 715 (small frame). 7 is for stainless, 15 is for adjustable sights. You have what is known as a heavy barrel. There are heavy, vented heavy, vented (under cut), and just an under cut one.
It's also a fixed barrel gun, no barrel nut on the end. 
July 20, 2022
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Charger Fan said
605Dart said
Welcome to the forum from PA!
Looks like you have a model 715 (small frame). 7 is for stainless, 15 is for adjustable sights. You have what is known as a heavy barrel. There are heavy, vented heavy, vented (under cut), and just an under cut one.
It's also a fixed barrel gun, no barrel nut on the end.
I got that. Already removed the quick-change front sight and cleaned out the rust that had gathered there in the sight chamber due to the steel sight screw.
Thinking of ordering a new fiber-optic front sight for it as it has the red factory sight on it now and I'm used to the TFX Pros I've installed on all my Glocks. I can just pick-up that TFX front sight almost instantly compared to other sights.
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January 24, 2009
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TFX Pros sounds like the sights to have! I think I'm about ready to try some fiber optic sights on some of my Dans. I'm not getting any younger, and sometimes it gets hard to find that front sight in low light situations.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Good to have you on the DWF!
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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July 12, 2020
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Charger Fan said
605Dart said
Welcome to the forum from PA!
Looks like you have a model 715 (small frame). 7 is for stainless, 15 is for adjustable sights. You have what is known as a heavy barrel. There are heavy, vented heavy, vented (under cut), and just an under cut one.
It's also a fixed barrel gun, no barrel nut on the end.
Thanks, I only have basic knowledge on the revolvers. What is the obvious sign of a fixed barrel I missed?
February 16, 2016
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The Heavy shroud does not have the underlug all the way to the muzzle, flat. Fixed barrels have the angled cut at the end.
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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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To the 
from central IL (no bears, except Chicago Bears)!!!
Sorry about the loss of your father, but nice to see he left you a Dan. A great item to have as a remembrance.
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July 12, 2020
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Stinger said
The Heavy shroud does not have the underlug all the way to the muzzle, flat. Fixed barrels have the angled cut at the end.
Thanks! I don't have a heavy bbl on either of my Dan's, now I know the difference!!
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Welcome to the forum. Gators and bears? Sounds like Florida. The Greatest State.
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January 24, 2009
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605Dart said
What is the obvious sign of a fixed barrel I missed?
Stinger said
The Heavy shroud does not have the underlug all the way to the muzzle, flat. Fixed barrels have the angled cut at the end.
Exactly. FB guns for the most part all have the heavy shroud (and all are Palmer production *), with the angled cut on the underside. I may come back tomorrow with photos that are worth a million words, but tonight it's getting late. 
* Well...most. There were a few early Porkchops that were FB guns built for certain police depts, but they are much more rare.
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