My father in law gave me a smith wesson 38 spl serial number 18459 with squeeze handle. I was wondering how old it is and value

Your information is sparse, but the combination of .38 Special and "squeeze handle" indicates some variant of the Centennial/Model 40. If you got the serial from the bottom of the grip, I believe it would be from the early 1960s. For confirmation and any more, especially value, we'd need photos.

Very sparse indeed.

Please review the following:
Sticky: "To IDENTIFY your Gun"
, seen at the top of the page.

That sticky will not only enable to make an inquiry will be productive , it is informative in and of itself.

Here is the link: To IDENTIFY your Gun >

Just click on it to add the information needed to ID your revolver.

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

Does your revolver look like mine in the picture below?

Mine is a Model 42 Centennial Serial Number: 19476. It was shipped from the S&W Factory on Jan. 23, 1962 and delivered to Evaluators LTD., Triangle, VA.

Attached Images

Model 42 LS (1).jpg (81.7 KB, 19 views)