Smith & Wesson model 1902 M&P

Yeah, those are tough to get accurate with. Was your dad eventually a Cheif or someone high up in the dept? I've heard the high ranking guys carried the snub nose guns. I know s&w started calling the snub J frame a 'cheif's special' in the early 50s!
He retired as a Captain in 1971. Drew pension checks for 39 years before passing away in 2010.