NGO, welcome to the forum. Your gun dates to 1968. If you swing the cylinder open, you should see the MOD 10-5 stamp on the frame face that is covered when the cylinder is closed.

It's nice that the gun is in good condition, but the .38 M&P or Model 10 revolvers are not scarce. Go ahead and shoot it, but take care of it during and after a range trip. Proper care will keep it looking new for years to come.

I would recommend that you teach kids (or anyone) to shoot on a .22 revolver, then move up to the .38 you just got and eventually to the larger calibers if there is interest. While the noise and recoil of a .38 are tame compared to other rounds, it is probably not the best round to use in learning basic shooting skills. Also, you will burn a lot of ammo learning to shoot well, and a box of .22 ammo is cheaper than any box of centerfire ammunition.

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David Wilson