I have what i believe is a pre-war m&p. The serial on the bottom of the grip is 280171. Stamped .38 S&W Special CTG on the side.
What is the value spread on something like this? (I mean between 80% and 95% what woudl the spread be) I have not been able to find the box with all of my smith books and my blue book since moving, so i thought i'd try picking one of your brains for once!
Welcome to the forum. I'm assuming you have no letter prefix in front of that serial number, so you're looking at a Model of 1905 Fourth change that probably shipped in the late 'teens. It is at least 90 years old.
Almost any decent old M&P is worth $250-300, with better condition guns going up to $400. The original box and collector grade guns (98% and above) can push that a couple of hundred higher.