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Still new here so I have a quick question, had a search first but couldn't spot an answer

Just putting together my first SM Assault Squad, and my sergeant has a bolt pistol and power sword, but it says that he can take a combat shield as well, do I have to show all 3 of these items on my model for him to count as having them?

Check you codex to see the language for upgrades such as the shield. Sometimes it will say 'must replace ccw or pistol with shield' or similar. In this case, you give up the one weapon to take the shield, and don't need to model the 'given up weapon'

As a rule, you have to model the uprade taken - shield, power sword, sometimes melta bombs, iron halo, whatever.

Depends on who you play with. Some groups are a lot tighter with WYSWYG then others are. As a general rule of thumb, if you paid points for it, you should model it. So you don't necessarily need to put on the grenades, or bolt pistols on your tac marines. The guy with the flamer should have it though, just to differentiate him from the other guys.

In your example, yes, if you plan on fielding him with it, you should include it.

Not everyone cares. Particularly with new players, who haven't figured out what gear they want to run with. YMMV, check with the locals.

Maybe strap it it to the forearm of the arm with the pistol.

It's a a tough one. In general, I would say if its a major piece of equipment then it needs to be on the model. For example a termie with lightning claws should have them. If not then its up to the individual players to reach an agreement.
He'll if you're not too bothered about the look then just blu-tac a piece of card to the model to represent the shield.

I agree with the "if it's a big thing then model it" idea. Major stuff that could change the way someone strategizes against you, like if you move a squad of what look like ordinary Tac marines into base-to-base and then say, "ok these guys all have 2 CCW, so I'm about to roll a lot of dice". Your opponent could very easily and rightly call foul. But, pretty much everyone in power armor in a marine list has grenades as standard issue, so I don't put them on everyone because it's kind of like saying, "hey this guardsman has a las gun".