I can offer a few comments.

First of all, there is a nomenclature issue. In the early K-frame models,
we have the Model of 1899, the Model of 1902, and the Model of 1905.
Sometimes the collectors refer to the 1899 as the First Model, the
1902 as the Second Model, but never refer to the 1905 as the Third
Model.

I think this is confusing, for a couple of reasons. First, the catalogs
of the period do no use First Model or Second Model - they just use
Model of 1899 and Model of 1902. Second, there is really two
significantly different variations of the Model of 1902; the original
Model of 1902, and then what we call the Model of 1902 First Change.
This First Change variation has the heavier barrel, a shoulder on the
barrel, a larger barrel thread, and a heavier frame nose. Its very
important to keep these differences clear.

In the 32-20 chambering of this gun, which I think is not a different
model but just the alternate chambering, s/n 65XX should be an
original Model of 1902, with no shoulder on the barrel, and the
patent date roll markings on the top of the barrel. This is a scarce
gun in the 32-20 chambering - there were probably only about 4000 of
them made this way, and maybe another 10,000 in 38 caliber. I don't
know anything about a Remington 572, but I'd guess they made more
than 4000 of them.

When they introduced the heavier barrel about a year later, the top
surface of the 4" barrel was too short for their existing patent-date
roll marking dies, because of the addition of the shoulder on the
barrel. So, they moved the patent date roll markings to the right
side of the barrel.

For this reason alone, if it were me, I'd buy this original 4" Model of
1902. From a collection perspective, it would be a very desireable
comparison to a 4" Model of 1902 First Change. Ie, one would have
the patent date roll markings on the top of the barrel, and the other
would have them on the right side.

What I'm getting at here is that this is an opportunity to capture
a siginficant engineering change, from the original Model of 1902
to the First Change variant. These changes are striking, and its not
often that we have the opportunity to have changes such as these, side by
side.

The rebluing doesn't bother me, given the price. The buggered side
plate screw can be easily replaced, and correct black hard-rubber grips
are generally available.

I'd check the bore - this was a black-powder cartridge, and if it was shot
a lot and not cleaned properly, the bore may be badly pitted. If its
really bad, I'd be tempted to pass on the gun. Also, check the right
side of the frame, for the ends of the studs. If they've been polished
flat during the reblue, that makes it less interesting, although they
can be replaced. Also check the fit of the sideplate - if the edges have
been rounded over, so that it stands out like a sore thumb, that makes
it less interesting to me.

Hope all this helps. As you can tell, I am a big fan of the original
Model of 1902, particularly with a 4" barrel. But, one has to have a
collector interest, for it to be important to them.

Regards, Mike Priwer