I can't tell what might have been done, by the factory, when it was
returned in June of 1949. Possibly a refinish, possibly something else.
Nonetheless. what you have is an early Model of 1902.

I wanted to see the left side of the gun, to look at the ends of the
studs. They are properly rounded, so if the factory did refinish it, they
probably removed them first.

Your grip problem is easily fixed. Find another pair of grips, which are
readily available, but replace only the broken left panel. Don't replace
the right panel - that is the one that is serial-numbered to the gun,
and it is fine. You want to keep it that way. Grips for these guns
are always available at gun shows, and even from members here.

Mike Priwer