I've been asked to help ID an old 38

[F_H]

My boss brought me some pictures of an old S&W and asked me to help ID/date it. He's been given it as a gift and I told him, based on the pics and what I've learned here, he's got a keeper and not to let it go unless it's for a good sum of money.
The only rusting is some surface rust on the end of the barrel, near the muzzle and is very light.
The standard patent makings on the top of the barrel are there. The right side of the barrel says "38 S&W Special CTG"; the left side has the standard "Smith & Wesson" markings.
There is a single, small S&W logo on the left of the frame, under the thumb latch.
Its serial number is on the frame's bottom and is: 3996XX; no letter prefix.
The person who gave this to my boss (he's in his 60s) said the revolver had been given to his grandfather (a traveling doctor) as payment when a patient didn't have money to pay for services a long, long time ago; and to his knowledge, it has never been fired since being given to his grandfather. He just didn't want to have it around anymore, so he gave it to my boss because he did some work for him, and this was his payment.
Any/All help you all can provide is appreciated!

 

[handejector]

38 Military & Police
Early 1920s

 

[goatsnguns]

Welcome to the forum, you'll find a friendly bunch here with tons of good information.

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th change, made from 1915 to 1942

Someone with more expertise will be along shortly with more info.

 

[lamarw]

I have the same revolver with SN: 577063. It was shipped on Nov. 19, 1929. This will provide you with one data point.

 

[Absalom]

I think the serial number puts it in 1922, and it does indeed look to be in nice shape. It does have the period-correct, likely original non-medallion stocks, and I can't make out any rust in your pictures, so it's got to be minor.

 

[F_H]

THANKS ALL!
I told him it looks all original to me, and I'm really jealous of it. I told him to take a good hollow-ground precision/gunsmith screwdriver, take off the stocks, and see if they have the serial number penciled in on them. Based on the story he told me about this revolver, I'm willing to bet they are original.
Anything else (if possible) is still appreciated.

 

[Absalom]

To add one thing: I'd narrow the time frame to early 1922, since the gun does not appear to have the "Made in USA" stamp on the right side below the cylinder, which started in mid-1922, if I recall correctly.

 

[DWalt]

I have one in about the same condition with a SN about 500 greater. And it shipped in 3/22. The "Made in USA" stamp started on those guns manufactured around mid-1922. The lowest SN on my list with the stamp is around 411xxx.