Register
Log In
Home
December 24, 2010
Offline
Hi all,
New guy here. Both to Dan Wesson revolvers in general and this site in particular.
I am trying to increase my knowledge of these handguns, having heard so many good things but never havng had a chance to actually have one "in hand" - Now I have the chance to have two....go figure. I am also trying to get a better handle on the the value of Dan Wesson handguns. Mine particular.
The first is a Model 715 with an 8" barrel. I feel I got a decent deal at $450.00 despite the fact that the barrel appears to have had a wire wheel run around the entire front third of the barrel. Not hard, the edges of the vent rib are still evenly sharp the entire length, just an odd thing to see. Any thoughts are welcome.
The second is an early .44 Magnum CTG (Serial# 00037X) with wood grips, DW medallion and a 6" barrel. It comes in a presentation case. All are in excellent condition, though there is a relatively faint rotation line on the cylinder. I have included pictures to give a better idea of the gun. The seller is asking $700 but is open to negotiation. My question, is this too much, a good price, or one I should jump on ASAP.
Thanks in advance!
--Mike
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
The 715 is slightly high for my area, which means it's probably a decent price overall. I think $700 on the 744 might be a bit high, but not terrible.
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
May 17, 2010
Offline
it seems I have either seen THAT .44 or one very much like it. The one I saw was claimed to be a non-standard "pewter" with the non-standard pewter medallion.
I am not that knowledgablee on the .44, nor non-standard DW's in general. However, most times, a DW .44 in blue will go for more than a similar .357... then the question is how much more.
to me:
if the gun is unshot and its the gun you want.. then $700 isnt that bad.
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
December 24, 2010
Offline
The seller of the 744 is currently in NJ though I have no idea where he bought it. The gun is NOT unfired.
It is my understanding, from what little research I have been able to do so far, that Dan Wesson Arms did special orders in addition to regular production. How do you go about identifying a Special Order piece and, assuming it is one, how would these have been serial numbered. By this I mean, contiguous within normal production serialization or under a seperate system?
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
The 715 sounds to me to be a bit high too, considering the wire wheel treatment. Maybe if you could get for $400 out the door, it would be a better deal.
The 44 you have pictured looks just like the first batch of 500 .44's off the line way back when. The first 250 were mildly engraved, the 2nd 250 were not. The all shipped in those mahogany(?) cases & had a letter of authenticity to go with them.
Here's an example of the first run, including it's letter...
Although they appear stainless, these guns aren't stainless. They're steel & finished with a grey finish. Your serial number places your gun squarely in the 2nd run...
Both the guns pictured sold on GB last May for $655 & $500 respectively. They would have probably gone for more, if the finish wasn't buggered up on them. There is one currently on AA that the seller's asking $899 for. I bet he doesn't get that for it, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it easily sell for $700 if he lowered his price that far.
In other words, if your guy has the letter to go with the gun, I think that $700 would probably be a fair market price currently. The gun you're looking at seems to be in better shape than the ones I've pictured here.
let us know how you make out & 
aboard!
November 14, 2009
Offline
In Connecticut I got a 744 with 8 inch and 4 inch barrel with scope and mounting hardware for 650, so I would say 700 is a bit high.
Also I purchased a 15-2 357mag with 4 inch barrel for 289 out the door at a gun dealer, so I would say that is high also.
But, Jersey may be different.
Happyness is a Hot DW and a pile of used brass!!! Rich
December 24, 2010
Offline
Thanks for the help and advise. I'm glad to see I was at least in the ball park with the values, albeit a little high. On the other hand, as I've often heard it said when discussing firearms prices, you don't ever pay too much - you just buy too early. 
November 14, 2009
Offline
LOLHappyness is a Hot DW and a pile of used brass!!! Rich
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
CCSA said:
On the other hand, as I've often heard it said when discussing firearms prices, you don't ever pay too much - you just buy too early.
Yeah, I'm sure I'm guilty of a couple instances of that myself.
Supporter
Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
Offline
Charger Fan said:
CCSA said:
On the other hand, as I've often heard it said when discussing firearms prices, you don't ever pay too much - you just buy too early.
Yeah, I'm sure I'm guilty of a couple instances of that myself.
There's no way any of us do Impulse buys ....
...
SHOOT
December 24, 2010
Offline
Good thing I asked about the 744 first. I managed to get it for $600 after getting the input here. Thanks again!
I will post pics the 715 I recently picked up as soon as I get access to my Photobucket account again. Thumbdrive with all my passwords died and the email registered with them is no longer in use. 
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
I incorrectly identified this as a 744, which would be Stainless. It is (probably) correctly a Model 44, as Charger Fan pointed out. The Large Frame Dan Wesson Revolver was initially introduced in late 1980 in .44 Magnum. Stainless Steel revolvers were introduced in August 1982, initially in .357 Magnum.
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 24, 2010
Offline
Thanks for the update Steve CT. The lack of model numbers on the gun itself makes IDing them an adventure in and of itself...I like a challenge, it's good to learn new things and keep the mind active 
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
Close to a year ago I bought what was clearly a Model 14 (blue) that had been refinished in nickel, the dealer had transferred it in to his inventory as a 714 (stainless), and would only sell it to me as a 714.
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 24, 2010
Offline
OK...so rather than wait for PhotoBucket to get back with me regarding my lost password (been two days now, still nothing!) I just created a new account. So...here are the 
of the 715. Note the marks at the muzzle end of the barrel. Very strange because, as I said before, there is no discernible reason for someone to have put a wire wheel on it.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
Maybe experimenting with polishing, or a brushed matte finish?
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 24, 2010
Offline
Maybe...all I know for sure is that I will try to HAND polish the marks out a see if I can get it back to as close to original as possible. Maybe cheese cloth & polishing rouge...
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
Offline
I'm doing some experimenting with a variety of methods. For hand polishing, try Mother's Mag Wheel Polish, but I don't know how that will work on yours. The "polishing" looks pretty deep.
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
August 29, 2009
Offline
CCSA said:
Maybe...all I know for sure is that I will try to HAND polish the marks out a see if I can get it back to as close to original as possible. Maybe cheese cloth & polishing rouge...
Try a 400 grit wet-or-dry paper to blend in the rough area. Go lightly on it as you blend in to the metal and go with the grain. Finish it off with a 3M Between Coat Finishing Pad (brown scotchbrite) P/N 10144NA. The matte surface on the vent rib will need to be shot blasted with 120 grit aluminum oxide.
December 24, 2010
Offline
harly said:
Try a 400 grit wet-or-dry paper to blend in the rough area. Go lightly on it as you blend in to the metal and go with the grain. Finish it off with a 3M Between Coat Finishing Pad (brown scotchbrite) P/N 10144NA. The matte surface on the vent rib will need to be shot blasted with 120 grit aluminum oxide.
Thanks Harly. I 400 W/D paper ocurred to me also, even considered 600, and thought it might be too course. Next, I considered going with polishing rouge and cheese cloth. Maybe it would be better to use light canvas, like used to make polishing wheels, instead of cheese cloth. Bottom line: I just want to go REALLY slow so I don't do MORE damage. Maybe if I used a light oil with the paper? I'll be going at this right after the New Year. I'll keep you guys posted, though I think I'll statrt a new thread in a more appropriate forum. As far as the blasting goes, good thing I just got a new cabinet...
1 Guest(s)
