There was a 1950s-era trend in American handgun making that is still alive and even growing. It received its start because post-war handgunners suddenly awakened to the fact that handguns were really heavy to carry.
The S&W Model 12 Airweight revolver could be had in several configurations, including (clockwise from top left) 4-inch barrel, round butt; 2-inch barrel, square butt; 4-inch barrel, square butt; and 2-inch barrel, round butt.
I picked up my Smith & Wesson Model 12 .38 Special in 1999 after reading an article on a customized one that looked really cool. I knew I wanted to have one made up for me. Like most such plans, it fell by the wayside in the face of family, work and finances. I kept it around though, because I liked the way it handled and I shot it a lot.