Bill, for info., I have the same buttplate on a 6 frame, hammer 8 gauge. Considerably more worn, however.

You're right Bill, I don't think we do know exactly when a particular style of dog's head buttplate was introduced. The one on the GH that is shown here is the same as the one shown on top left of pg. 103 ot The Parker Story and the serial number of the TPS gun is 108998 which is, of course a 1902 gun. This however, does not set a time-line for the introduction of that particular buttplate and we should be careful not to make such generalizations as were posted.

Bill, that buttplate was used on everything from #2 frames to #7 frames but I've never seen one on a #1 frame gun. However, that particular gun may have been equipped with a #2 stock.

Ok guys sorry I looked back at the book and it doesn't say it was started in 1902 just that it was on a 1902 gun my bad. didn't mean to get the hairs up on anybody!