I was extremely excited to pick up my first pre-war Smith today and my oldest hand ejector so far. I was lucky enough to find this very clean 4" M&P today. It is a model of 1905 4th change. I couldn't walk away when it was offered to me for $159 OTD! The serial numbers on the barrel, cylinder face, and crane all match. The grips are numbered to the gun. The serial number is written on the left grip panel in grease pencil. I shot it today at 25 yards with UMC 130 gr FMJ and it shot right to point of aim! The only marks are some muzzle wear and some light patina on the grip frame from handling. I scored a bullseye single action with my very first shot! 2xs followed in DA mode! Serial number on the butt is 442xxx. Can anyone help with a born-on date? SCSW wasn't much help, only listing that 235000-700000 went from 1915-1940. I found an earlier thread that said numbers around 500000 shipped in 1925, so this must be earlier than that. Also, the trigger face is smooth. SCSW mentions smooth triggers on the earlier M&Ps and says the serrated trigger came later, so I assume the trigger is correct. Here's some pics:

Does anyone have any date info?

i would estimate late 20s, maybe '29. cool gun. the smiths from this era are very impressive. good score!
ed

Thanks for the info so far.

The gun should be early 1923. You should find that serial number on
the rear face of the cylinder, and on the flat under the barrel. The
grips should also be numbered , on the inside of the right grip panel.
It might be in pencil, and you might need a good light to see it.

Mike Priwer

Mike,
Thanks for the info and for your response! You are correct about the number in the grips, as well as the other serial numbers. All match. It is indeed in the right grip panel as you said. I noticed how light the number is, just as you said. I mixed up my left and my right in my original post.

Looks like you have a nice hand ejector there. Great condition! I didn't catch the caliber, but probably .38 special. I own two, my Dad's .38 Special service revolver and another in .32-20. Great revolvers with the smoothest actions I own, and almost hair triggers.