.38 Spl M&P Hand Ejector - date of manufacture, approximate value, and some comments

I found this revolver at my local gunsmith's in a collection of guns he bought. He wanted $500 for it. I traded him a beat up Colt Woodsman Match Target pistol made in 1948-1949 for it. I never liked the Woodsman (which I acquired in 2007 for $250) but always wanted a .38 Spl S&W M&P. My wife said I had to get rid of a gun if I acquired a new one and the Woodsman was the easiest to get rid of. Most of my other handguns are K & N frame S&W revolvers.

The M&P revolver looked almost like new. It has a 5 in. barrel and appeared to have been well taken care of and shot very little. There was almost no ring around the cylinder. (Now a cylinder ring is beginning to develop as I shoot it.) Some photos are attached.

The Serial No. is 221566. A list of S&W M&P serial nos. on the Internet suggests it was made ca. 1914-1915. Does anyone have a better date of manufacture?

Also - does anyone have any idea what is is actually worth?

In several range trips, I have fired a total of 463 rounds in it. All were light .38 Spl reloads - 158 gr SWC lead bullets with 2.8 gr Bullseye, 3.4 gr HP-38, maximum 4.0 gr Unique. I don't plan to use any heavier reloads or any jacketed bullets in view of the revolver's age. It shoots very well - slightly stiff single action (probably because it hasn't been shot much) but very smooth double action. Accuracy is great as long as I hold well. I have come difficulty holding this small, light revolver consistently as it is much smaller and lighter than the M19, 6 in. barrel, which I've been shooting a lot for the past 38 years. I'm enjoying playing with the M&P!

9-5, 6 in. barrel, which I have been shooting for the past 38 years. I'm working at getting better with the M&P.