I came into possession of an older S&W revolver and could use some help.
Barrel length is 5"
5 screw
square butt
top of barrel has Smith and Wesson, Springfield, Mass (first line)
second line is: patented Feb 6, 06,Sept 14, 09, Dec 29, 14
Left side of barrel is: Smith&Wesson
right side of barrel is: 38 S&W special ctg
front sight is half moon type
rear sight is notch in top strap
trigger is grooved
right side front of frame is: Made In U.S.A.
Smith & wesson trade mark on side plate
diamond Magna stocks
serial is S853XXX
serial is found on bottom of butt
serial on bottom of barrel on flat next to extractor rod
serial on face of cylinder
serial on edge of yoke as seen through chamber
K on frame under yoke
S on yoke next to frame

I believe this is a M&P Model of 1905 4th change.
However, it was in a gold colored box with blue lettering and a picture on the top of a gun, the end says:Smith & Wesson 38 Military & Police Revolver Blue finish, 5" barrel no serial #
My information stipulates that it should have an adjustable rear sight because it has the grooved trigger. Any comments would be welcome.
My Baddd I got the info about the grooved trigger from " Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 3rd edition. But I misread it ,"Fitted with a .265" smooth trigger on the service version or fitted with a serrated on the target version". I thought service meant normal service use versus target competition.

I checked out the box and no marking on the bottom that I can read except a few faint lines.
Inside the top of the box is writing Jan. 17, 1946 and $60.00. full serial is S853529
My uncle had it and he is 90 years young. Also M-27-2 S&W 3.5" barrel and cherry M-15-3 4" barrel.

Attached Images

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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Yes that's what you got , post war 38 military and police revolver. After another engineering change, it would become the model 10 in 1957. Your gun dates to the 1940s after the war.

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__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

It's a postwar Military and Police (M&P) model. S853xxx would date its likely shipment as around late 1946, possibly early 1947. S&W did not use the "Model of 1905" terminology after around 1915, but in any event, even collectors would not use that term for yours, as the Model 1905 did not have the improved hammer drop safety that yours has, which began in early 1945. That's what the "S" prefix in the SN means.

I believe I can shed some light for you.

Your revolver is a postwar .38 Military & Police revolver. The S prefix numbers were used from early 1946 until the spring of 1948.

Nearby serial numbers were shipping in November, 1946.

That is the correct box for this gun, but barely. The earliest examples shipped in the two piece maroon box. The gold boxes were starting to be phased in just about the time your gun shipped. In fact, the earliest gold box I've identified for this model shipped in September, 1946.
You should look on the bottom of the box to see if the serial number is recorded there - either with a lead pencil or a grease pencil.

Your informant has supplied incorrect information. I have examined literally hundreds of the postwar M&P revolvers. All of them had grooved triggers.

I sure would like to see some photos of your revolver, especially of the left side. Also, it would aid my research if you would be kind enough to share the complete serial number. Send it privately via PM if you prefer. Thanks.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318