Ok here goes. Smith & Wesson started out with 4 sideplate screws and one trigger guard screw. When Smith stopped using the top sideplate screw they retained the triggerguard screw for a couple years. They soon redesigned the internal works and eliminated the triggerguard screw thus resulting in the standard 3 screw design we see today. When the grips are removed you should only see 3 screws connecting the sideplate to the frame. Look in front of the triggerguard and you should see the 4th screw.
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