xcop:
You are correct that club will sell firearms to other LEO in addition to LAPD.
I have other pistols (2x 3913 and 1x 6906) purchased through the Los Angeles Police Pistol and Revolver (actually it's "Revolver And Athletic") Club (LAPRAAC). The interesting thing here is the "Special Order Los Angeles Police" in Roy's description of the pistol. Like the Model 640 "NYPD Variation" (with bead finish), it appears that this LAPD pistol was given a distinct product code and name.
After the February 28, 1997 North Hollywood Shootout, many in the LAPD wanted more power, including the ability to carry the .45 ACP. Within a few weeks, the LAPD authorized its officers to carry the S&W 4506 (the LAPD did not buy them for the officers, just authorized their carry). Many LAPD officers had been waiting for long time to be authorized to carry a .45 ACP and they rushed to order them from LAPRAAC. It seems apparent that this "Special Order Los Angeles Police" was part of an order larger than one pistol. S&W does not name a handgun and issue a product code just for one unit.
The LAPD "issued" the Beretta 9mm (currently the Glock Model 22), although it "authorizes" officers to carry a few other pistols on duty and off. Those officers that wish to carry something other than the "issued" pistol, generally buy their "authroized" handguns through LAPRAAC.
That is not to say that the pistol in this particular configuration was not sold to others besides LAPD officers, just like the NYPD Variation was sold through a couple of non-New York distributors. My brother ended up with a Model 640 that lettered as a NYPD Variation from a distributor in Spokane, Washington.
