Great info David!

Here is what I can tell you about the K-38....SN K82696.

I was always told that Mom bought this for a wedding gift for Dad in August of 1949.

The target hammer and trigger could have been changed out at some point in time as Dad shot on the Sheriff's Office Pistol Team when he was a deputy.

The grips are numbered to the gun and the rib measures .617 across the entire width and .276 on the ribbed section only. The barrel O.D. is .640 at the muzzle.

If the side plates were ever removed it was done with properly fitted screwdrivers as I cannot see any tool markings from removal of screws.

Randy