Nice photo essay, "SmithNut". I regret not buying several K38s before I retired from the LAPD. There were LOTS of them around, including 4" cut-down ones that had been re-issued. The old-time coppers that had them would have sold them upon retirement for $75.00 or so cash (LAPD would sell the issued revolver as "surplus" to the retiring officer for around $50.00). I knew of a couple that were literally almost NIB after issue in the Academy to the officer. Nobody (including me) wanted an old 6" .38 then.
Bob