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September 5, 2022
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I am trying to figure out exactly what I have and possible value of this gun. From my research (this form mostly) I am thinking it is a 715-V6 or a 15-V6 but I may be completely off base.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
October 18, 2017
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715VH6 Someone with more knowledge of the serial number list can better estimate date of manufacture. My guess would be 1983, but that’s just a guess.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Maybe a year sooner, very early 715 VH6
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Welcome to the forum! Search Gunbroker's completed auctions, that will give an idea of present value.
February 16, 2016
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to the 
Model 15 is a blued gun and Model 715 is stainless.
September 5, 2022
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Thank you everyone for your fast and knowledgeable replies. One thing I am uncertain of is the year of manufacture. I see where someone mentioned 1983 but from what I see on BB of gun values year of manufacture is from 1993-95 but that "feels" to new.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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91 to 95 is Palmer manufactured. Initial serial numbers started with an S in 1981. Then they added letters for the caliber. D for 357. Possibly 1983. In 1986 they added the caliber to the beginning. 22,357 , etc.
The different methods were because of ownership changes per BATF rules I believe. In 1991, Monson was closed, Dan Wesson's sons took over and all revolvers were made at the Palmer, Mass. factory that previously made the large frame and Supermag Revolvers. So your gun is dated to 1982 or 83. Regardless the serial number or factory, they are all the same gun until 1999 when Bob Serva started making guns in Norwich, NY on CNC machines.
October 18, 2017
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Great post, Ole Dog! Very informative. I’ll have to remember where to look for this post for future reference. Thanks for sharing.
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Ole Dog said
Initial serial numbers started with an S in 1981. Then they added letters for the caliber...
One minor correction. The "S" was for stainless guns, blued guns had no S, just the letter designation for caliber. D for 357, etc.
Before my photo host site croaked, I could instantly whip out examples of the changes in early DW stainless guns. The first few batches of stainless guns were were marked with "S/" then the serial number. A short while later, they decided on the S for stainless, followed by the letter for the caliber...and I might add that the caliber letter made no sense, appearing totally random. Here is an example...S (stainless) B denoting the caliber. So here B designates .44 and yet D designates .357. Crazy! 
Better shot (BTW this is currently on GB for $1195) if anyone is interested.
Then as Ole Dog said, they got away from the letter system, and started putting the caliber ahead of the S/N...which I'd bet totally confused the retailers selling the guns at the time. Mostly because the "357" (etc.) was stamped differently than the rest of the S/N. This 722 Mag is also currently on GB for stupid money! This is a Monson example...
Then it continued with Palmer. For any newbies to DW looking at this thread, notice the different barrel shroud roll marks between Monson & Palmer.
As always, I hope that helps make it as clear as mud! 
Sorry as of today, I don't have any blued guns to show the lack of "S"... just know that at one time before my photo host site crashed, I had all that ammo at the click of a mouse. Zero help today, of course.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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"Sorry as of today, I don't have any blued guns to show the lack of "S"... CF
I can help. Notice that the numerals started over as well, adding difficulty to answer the question, "what year was it made?"
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
September 5, 2022
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Great information everyone. I have learned some valuable stuff here!
July 27, 2022
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If this helps in any way...this is 3 Monson guns. Blue Supermag .357 Max with an "E" prefix, a blue .357 Mag with no prefix or caliber on the frame and a stainless .44 Mag with "SB" prefix.
I presume, then, that the middle no-prefix .357 is the oldest, then the other two came later when the prefixes were added and before caliber markings.
Rob
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Are you ready for more confusion? Serial numbers started with the first Dans in 1970. Fixed sight guns and adjustable, sight guns share the same serial number range. At about 10,000, the models 11 and 12 became 14 and 15. The barrel nut on the end of the muzzle went inside the shroud around then. Around 25,000 the unofficial 14-1s and 15-1s started. The only difference was the different front and rear sights. The - 1s also were sold to High Standard and called the Sentinel Mk11 and Mk111. At 50,000 the redesigned 14 and 15 - 2s debuted. That was probably the end of 1974. The early -2s had fixed front sights with no colored inserts.
There were also 8 and 9s in 38 Special as well as 8 and 9 - 2s. Same serial number sequence. The blue guns continued that sequence until D was added in 1983. The stainless guns started their own sequence with S, then S/, and then S D and so on.
I hope that makes things clearer. Bhahaha.
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