Old 38 S&W Special CTG

Question
Hello Charles,  My father as been given a gun and is interested to know more about it. It is a 38 S&W Special CTG. It was patented in Spring Field Mass on Feb. 6, 06, Sept. 14, 09 and Dec. 29, 14. It is a 5 inch barrel, double action, permanent sites and has a bone grip handle. The serial # is S 983408. We are interested to know when it was actually made, if it is of any value and any other information that you may be able to tell us.
Thank you so much for your time and knowledge!
Brigette

Answer
 Hello Brigette. It seems you have a later model Smith&Wesson Model M&P. This would be a pre-Model 10. The best I can tell by the serial number S983408 it was made in 1948. There is so much investigation needed to single out these Smith&Wesson handguns. As a later Model M&P PRE-MODEL 10, the value can be from $200.00 to as much as $500.00 and up. The 38s&w special cartridge was released in 1899. This was also around the time of the swing-out cylinder. I hope this helps. Charles Gage