I'm replacing a damaged ejector star on the extractor of a 1949 K38. Original parts not found, but will try substituting an extractor from WWII 38cal Victory. Experienced parts man thinks it might work with a little fitting.

Does anybody have experience with this job?

You're close enough in vintage to where it should work. Remove the locator pins on the k38 cylinder. Then get six snap caps or six EMPTY cases and drop in the star. Use the cases to make sure the charge holes in the cylinder and star align. You can now put the assembly in the gun and check for timing etc. if that is ok, leave the cases in the cylinder and redrill the locator pin holes.

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S&WCA 1729

That exactly the advice I needed. Thank you sir.

Delivered the gun and part to gunsmith this AM, along with this thread with tennexplorer's comment. 6-8 weeks in the queue and I'll be able to take it to the range for testing.

The gunsmith cannot get the star and ejection rod from the Victory to fit properly, so we are trying to move the star from the Victory ejection rod to the K38 ejection rod. We unscrewed the threaded washer that appears to be holding the star in place, but don't know the next step.
Does the star screw on the ejection rod, is it pinned in place, just a friction fit, or....????