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June 30, 2026
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Hello fellow Dan Wesson enthusiasts. I picked up a used Dan Wesson .357 about 12 or 13 years ago, and I am sad to say I never looked into what model or age it was. I have a database for my collection and I am updating it so it got me thinking about the model and year on this one. Can anyone tell me what I have here? Serial number is 205683. Thank you all in advance! PS, not sure I love the Hogue grip 🤣
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Welcome to the forum from PA!!! Someone will be along that can date that for you. Pics would help in identifying it.
June 30, 2026
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Thank you sir. I do believe, based on some pictures I found, that I have a model 14-2. I'll be very curious about the date. 🙂 Sorry, I thought I added a photo but I must not have uploaded first.
605Dart said
Welcome to the forum from PA!!! Someone will be along that can date that for you. Pics would help in identifying it.
June 8, 2009
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Looks like a 15-2 to me.
Nice looking gun.
June 30, 2026
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Yep, I agree it's a 15-2. I didn't pay attention to the ribbed barrel. Thanks man, I love that thing. Just picked up a 1954 S&W Pre-Model 10 today! It is gorgeous!
June 8, 2009
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More add on: I have my DW.22 VH6 on the desk breaking in a new holster...Diamond D Leather hip holster in brown. Big smile! I had to go to the safe and pull out my .357 to compare with your gun.
Mine: Early 15-2 53,XXX. V6, front sight not changeable (I had mine cut and a colored insert installed...shame on me!) Solid black rear sight.
Trigger stop is on back of trigger.
Mine came with the "plastic" grip. Both my small frames now wear factory Sacramento grips. I love them, but they are narrow and will smack your hand web if shooting hot loads.
Mine is not in as pretty as yours. Heavy use before I bought it and my first shooting handgun and first gun I reloaded for; lots of wilderness trail miles. I sent it back to the factory because the cylinder would "float" with heavy reloads. They rebuilt the gun "under warranty". I load it pretty mild now. I have other guns if more power is needed.
My original holster for this gun was a used Hunter. After all the years, I'm updating my DW leather. I bought, off the rack, a Diamond D Guide's Choice chest holster for a .44V8" and really liked the quality and fit...for DW! This winter I had them make a tan hip holster for .44VH4 with flap. And this spring I had them make a hip holster for small frame VH6 to fit the .357 and .22. After my gunning piggy bank gets plump again, I'll have them make a brown holster for the small frame VH4. These are not "one size fits many" but are made to fit DW framed guns. A pretty long wait time is normal. I chose brown for the small frame DWs because most of my holsters are tan and I wanted be able to quickly find the right holster for the specific gun I was going to carry. I'm liking the rich color of the brown with my DWs!
June 30, 2026
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Anyone able to put a date on mine? Serial number 205683.
February 16, 2016
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Steven Russell said
I didn't pay attention to the ribbed barrel.
The model is not determined by the barrel shroud style.
The Model 14 is a carry / service pistol with a fixed, non-adjustable rear sight.
The Model 15 is a target pistol with an adjustable rear sight.
Both models can have the four styles of shroud installed; Standard (no vented rib or full length underlug), Vented (V nomenclature with vented rib and no underlug), Heavy (H no vents but full length underlug) or Vented Heavy (VH with vents and underlug).
June 30, 2026
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Ahh, thank you for the clarification. Shows how little I know about the brand. I thought the 15 had the ribbed barrel and the 14 did not. I understood DW had a great reputation for making quality wheel guns so I bought it on a whim, and I got it for a steal at a shop because I bought a two-for.
June 30, 2026
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Based on what I found, this one was built around 1979. I'll go with that for my database.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Yes, around 1979 would be correct. Stinger is correct about 14-2 being a fixed sight gun and 15-2 having an adjustable rear sight. From serial number 50,000 to 75,000 ,15-2s have a pinned front sight with no plastic colored insert. That is why LeonardC had his black front sight cut for a colored insert. After 75,000 15-2s have removable front sights held in by an Allen screw in the end of the muzzle . The different shrouds will all fit a 14 or 15 but as the 14-2 rear sight is fixed and low, a 15-2 shroud will not shoot to point of aim as the front sight would be too tall.
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