The Onion Field and LAPD K-38s

sigp220.45 · Apr 27, 2011

I watched the 1979 film "The Onion Field" last night. I watched it many years ago, but saw it was available on Netflix Instant and took the opportunity to watch it again. Great cast - a very young James Woods as the killer Greg Powell, along with John Savage, Ted Danson, and Ronny Cox.

If you haven't seen it, its a very good account of the 1963 kidnapping of two LAPD plainclothesmen (Karl Hettinger and Ian Campbell) and the cold-blooded murder of Campbell. Hettinger escaped, but was treated badly by the department and later resigned under a cloud.

Both cops were shown carrying six-inch K38s, which is probably fairly accurate. I seem to recall from Joseph Wambaugh's excellent book of the same name both cops carried six inch guns, with 200 grain ammo.

One of the cops asks the kidnappers to pitch their guns in the bushes after the bad guys let the cops go (which obviously didn't happen) because they bought the guns with their own money.

I'd be interested to see if anyone here has a former LAPD K38 to show off. It seems like with the size of the department and the length of service of the K38 there should be a few of them floating around.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/2723-policeman-ian-j.-campbell

John Wyatt · Apr 27, 2011

A while back, last year I think, LAPD displayed many evidence items from famous cases in the department's history. I believe Ofc. Campbell's 6inch barrel K-38 was one of the firearms displayed. I recall that the revolver had Mershon (sp) rubber stocks.

Mike Grasso · May 10, 2011

Here's a photo of my two. The blue M15-3 was issued to me in 1980.

Mg

Lew Archer · May 11, 2011

Mike Grasso said:
Here's a photo of my two. The blue M15-3 was issued to me in 1980.

Mg

I'm curious about the front sight on the M15-3. Looks more like a Patridge sight rather than the Baughman sights I've seen on Model 15s. A retired LAPD officer told me that at one time (early '70s), the Department decided to move away from six inch K-38s and cut down the barrels to 4 inches. Is yours one of the Department modified guns?

Texas Star · May 11, 2011

The other gun an M-68? I read the barrel inscription.

I, too, think that's not a normal M-15. If the frame is marked that way, I bet it was re-barrelled. I'm glad that the officer who was issued it still has it. Those grips look very comfortable!

T-Star

Mike Grasso · May 11, 2011

It's actually a model 10 barrel that has had a pinned sight placed on it. Our armory used to make them up for officers who shot Expert or better as a perk to shoot more!

Mike

Old cop · May 11, 2011

The two cops on the TV series Adam-12 carried the same model earlier in 6" and later the 4". An excellent weapon I carried as my issue gun before we transitioned to semi autos.

Mike Grasso · May 11, 2011

Old cop said:
The two cops on the TV series Adam-12 carried the same model earlier in 6" and later the 4". An excellent weapon I carried as my issue gun before we transitioned to semi autos.

ADAM-12, probably one of the reasons I came to LA from Brooklyn! Chief Davis (the Chief at the time of Adam-12) gave me this picture that was given to him by the artist. It sit's in my Office so my guys can remember their lineage.

Mike

Lew Archer · May 11, 2011

As much as anything else, ADAM 12 got me interested in LE. I have been watching it again, now that the first few seasons are on DVD. Still a great show...

My wife, an LAPD copper, recently had the opportunity to meet Martin Milner, the actor who played Malloy. He was very nice and clearly still a big fan of the Department and the officers.

Yes, the first couple of seasons they are using 6 inch K-38s, in swivel holsters. The grips on Malloy's gun look custom. In the later seasons, the guns have 4 inch barrel's and the holsters are clamshells.

When my wife watches the show, she's astonished at how authentic and timely it is, in terms of terminology and slang that are still in use. The tech advising is evident.

Lew Archer · May 11, 2011

Back to "The Onion Field" for a moment...the film is excellent. Gripping and tragic. I highly recommend the book by Joseph Wambaugh.

I read an interview of Wambaugh in which he recounted meeting Truman Capote, the author of "In Cold Blood". That "true crime" account heavily influenced him. At the time he met Capote, he'd already published his first novels. He discussed the Onion Field incident with Capote, who indicated that it should be recounted in a book. Wambaugh said the conversation helped motivate him to write the book.

I believe the book is must reading for anyone in or interested in LE.

Lew Archer · May 11, 2011

Texas Star said:
The other gun an M-68? I read the barrel inscription.

I, too, think that's not a normal M-15. If the frame is marked that way, I bet it was re-barrelled. I'm glad that the officer who was issued it still has it. Those grips look very comfortable!

T-Star

I bought a used Model 68-2, identical to the one in the photograph, except for the grips. I gave it to my wife, since she's the LAPD copper in the family. It's double action only, per LAPD policy. The gun I bought for my wife has Hogue grips, rather than Pachmayr's. Great revolver!

Mike Grasso · May 11, 2011

The custom grips he had were made by a policeman at the time from the LAPD Shooting Team, I believe his name was Hogue (corrected - John Hurst). Here is my pair that he made for me, in 1981. They need refinishing and a screw, anyone can help? Also in 80 my Training Officer (who came on in 1955) gave me his "speed loader" cause he wanted one of those new ones! I still have it along with his leather ticket book which I recently passed on to a new Officer...

Mike

tac803 · May 12, 2011

You may want to give forum member VM a shout regarding your grips. Adam 12 and Emergency were the two shows that had the greatest impact on my career choices...Reed and Malloy's badges (replicas) sit in my cabinet. Kinda makes me wish I had stayed on the West coast.

As as aside, following the "Onion Field" incident, were officers allowed or encouraged to carry a back up?

Thanks...

27145 · May 12, 2011

Strange I just saw the Onionfield recently on Netflix also. Very tragic storyall the way around.

As far as Dragnet and Adam 12, didnt the LAPD have to approve the scripts? I believe they had a unit specifically to go over and approve Hollywood scripts. They were very protective of the LAPD image.

I never saw speedloaders like that. I got on NYPD in '83 and we were only allowed dump pouches, until '86 when they allowed speedloaders.

A lot of guys on my job suspect that they allowed speedloaders after PO Gadell was killed by a perp while reloading. I don't know if that is the entire story. It is conjecture on my part, but a few months after his murder, we were called into the SH and had to swap out our ammo for new ammo, right then and there. I think the officer may have had defective ammo. They refused to tell us why the ammo was swapped out.

GyMac · May 12, 2011

Mike Grasso said:
ADAM-12, probably one of the reasons I came to LA from Brooklyn! Chief Davis (the Chief at the time of Adam-12) gave me this picture that was given to him by the artist. It sit's in my Office so my guys can remember their lineage.

Mike

I love this picture, Mike! I was a big fan of the show and it's one of the reasons that the 6 inch K-38 is one of, if not my favorite, guns.
Chris

Roadranger · May 12, 2011

Adam 12 was an influence on me getting into LE in 1974. Naturally, I have the first five seasons on DVD as well as all of "Emergency" and most of "Dragnet". I carried a K-frame Magnum, usually a 6 inch M19 or M66.Bob!

pss · May 12, 2011

a long time ago i lived out in bakersfield near the onion fields where he were murdered.i thought of them everytime i drove by.sad story.hettinger's life went down the toilet after that too.

SG-688 · May 12, 2011

Mike Grasso said:
The custom grips he had were made by a policeman at the time from the LAPD Shooting Team, I believe his name was Hoag. Here is my pair that he made for me, in 1981. They need refinishing and a screw, anyone can help? Also in 80 my Training Officer (who came on in 1955) gave me his "speed loader" cause he wanted one of those new ones! I still have it along with his leather ticket book which I recently passed on to a new Officer...

Mike

I think your grips are Hurst. OIF2 where are you?

"Reed" and "Malloy" on Adam-12 had Farrant grips.

S. Hammer · May 12, 2011

According to Waumbaugh's book, Campbell had a 6" Smith .38 and Hettinger had a 6" Colt .38. Both carried in cross draw holsters under their jackets (plain clothes).
As far as Adam-12, I think it definitely pushed me towards law enforcement as well.

SG-688 · May 12, 2011

Three excuses to post this LAPD photo... 1955 ... Mershon grips ... and clamshell holsters.

The Onion Field and LAPD K-38s

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

SWCA Member

Member

SWCA Member

Attachments

Similar threads