Question re sideplate screws for pre-model 34

[RAMS]

My 4-screw was shipped in 1955. The screw right behind the trigger is a flat head and sits just a hair below the surface of the sideplate.

I suspect it's a replacement for the factory screw because of the slight counter-sinking while the other flat head sideplate screw (around the top of the mainspring and just hidden by the grip) fits perfectly flush with the surface of the sideplate. The other two screws (cylinder and top screw) have the usual semi-rounded heads.

Am I correct that the suspect flat head screw probably is not original? Would the original screw be flat or round? Would it be hard to find?

Thanks for any help.

[ars1876]

Mine ,serial # 111xx , has all rounded screw heads except the one under the grip . On Ebay there is " vintage smith & wesson " they have 47 pages of parts listed and a lot of screws and other revolver parts .

[Hondo44]

You are correct, all the screws should be 'domed' except the one covered by the grip by 1950.

Pre war and very early post war 5 screw K and N frames, and 6 screw I frames (there are no 5 screw .22/32 models) will have all 4 side plate domed screws. And those with Magna grips will have a dimple in the back of the grip located over the screw position to fit flush with the side plate.

[RAMS]

Thanks, guys. You really know your stuff.

Permit me one more question: on the underside of the top strap, there are two groups of semi-legible numbers written/engraved in electric pencil. Was that likely done in the factory for assembly or other purposes, or by an owner of the revolver for ownership ID?

[Hondo44]

Definitely not factory, it can only be a former owner.

[RAMS]

Thanks, again. I'm thinking maybe SS# and phone#.