Recently inherited Highway Patrolman

[JP@AK]

There's a screw in front of the trigger guard. 3 visible screws and 1 under the stock makes it a 4 screw, correct?

Yes, if I understand correctly what you are saying.
1. The cylinder stop plunger retaining screw in the front of the trigger guard.
2. Forward screw in the sideplate.
3. Sideplate screw immediately behind the trigger guard.
4. Rearmost sideplate screw is hiding under the right stock panel.

The fifth screw that was eliminated in 1956, was in the sideplate at the very top, between the hammer and cylinder and just below the rear sight.

An interesting sidebar: The original Model of 1899 and the Model of 1902 until 1905, also had only four screws. But they were all in the sideplate. The screw in the trigger guard didn't exist until 1905, when they reengineered the cylinder stop.

 

[Jocko-44]

^^Thanks Jack, that clears it up.

 

[rbergs]

Lots of scratches and dents on the bottom parts of the stocks, especially on the right side, are a pretty good indicator of a law enforcement revolver. Getting in and out of the car and bumping into things leave those tell tale signs. I would never replace those stocks. They are part of the history of the revolver and tell a great story on their own. It would be really interesting to know how that chunk of stock got knocked off!

 

[JamesWP]

Sweet gun. But, im going to be the odd duck here and say that to me that is the perfect candidate for a hard chrome job….which is exactly what I'd do if I owned it!

 

[Jocko-44]

^^ That's not going to happen!