Guns International #: 103014851

Category - Military Revolvers - Non-US - Enfield Revolvers

Category
Military Revolvers - Non-US
Enfield Revolvers

Enfield No. 2, Mark I*, .38 S&W, Service Revolver - Manufactured in 1940, World War II Vintage

Description:
This gun is an Enfield No. 2, Mark I*, .38 S&W service revolver.  The asterisk at the end of the model designation indicates that it is the first of two variants to the original model which was the   Enfield No. 2, Mark I.  The second variant was designated the Enfield No. 2, Mark I** (two asterisks).  This Enfield revolver has a five-inch barrel and a six-shot cylinder and is chambered for .38 S&W cartridges.  The year of manufacture of this revolver is 1940 as stamped on the right side of the frame.

This gun is a bit of an enigma.  The traditional Enfield logo stamped on the right side of the frame shows a British crown with “ENFIELD” arced over the crown, “No.2” stamped to the left (from viewer’s perspective) of the crown, “MK.I*” stamped to the right of the crown, and “1940” (year of manufactured) arced under the crown.  This information says the gun is a first variant of the original design and was manufactured in 1940.  The original design, the No.2 MKI (without the asterisk), was manufactured until 1939, and perhaps a few in 1940.  Production of the first variant, the No.2 MKI* (with one asterisk), began in 1939 or 1940.  Among other changes to the original design (No.2 MKI), two are relevant here - 1) the spur was removed from the hammer so as not to catch on things while moving quickly, 2) the action was changed to double-action-only.  This gun, however, has a hammer with a spur, and it is single-action/double action.  It should be noted that an unknown number of No.2 MKI (original design) were converted to the No.2 MK1* (first variant).  Given the date (1940) on the right side of the frame and the single asterisk in the model designation No.2 MK1*, we are confident that this gun started life as a first variant.  Further, we believe, the only way the gun could have gotten to its current configuration is that the spurless hammer was replaced with a spurred hammer, and the gun was converted to single-action/double-action at some point in its history.  We would be interested in hearing other facts and opinions.

There is one other important disclosure to make.  Somone took a grinder to the belly of the barrel and removed some stampings. We do not know when this was done, who did it, or what was erased.  The current owner checked with the BATFE to ensure the gun is legal, and they confirmed that it is.  They opined that import stamps were probably removed.

Without regard to the removal of stamps with a grinder, the overall condition of this wartime revolver approximately 98 percent.  It retains about 95 percent of its original bluing.  Most of the wear is on the edges of the various parts – the six edges of the barrel and sight ramp, the cylinder, the trigger guard, etc.  There are a few very small dings to the metal, again on the edges of the various parts. The bore is in excellent condition – bright and shiny with no corrosion.  The action is in excellent condition, functioning correctly in both double and single-action modes.  The “Webley” hard-rubber, checkered grips are original to the gun and are in excellent condition though they do show some wear, but very little.

The gun is stamped “WEBLEY & SCOTT LTD" on top of the barrel/frame above the cylinder.  The left side of the frame, just forward of the cylinder retaining cam and cylinder, is stamped with a crown (first line), “GR” (second line), crossed flags (third line), and what looks like “P” , but could be a B (fourth line).  Also on the left side of the frame, just forward of the grip panel, is stamped “WAR FINISH”. 

On the right side of the barrel, just forward of the cylinder and below the top of the barrel, are several stamps as follows:  NP.p (proof mark) (not sure the small p is part of the NP), “.38” (caliber),   “767” (casing length), and “3.5   TONS” (working pressure in long tons per square inch).  There is another mark above the NP, buy I cannot make it out; it is not a letter or number.

On the right side of the frame, behind the cylinder, and near the grip panel is stamped four marks in vertical order.  The first one I cannot make out (first line), a crown (second line), an “E” pointing up (third line), and a vertical mark followed by a regular “E".  The serial number, 106191, is stamped on the frame below the cylinder.  Six various marks are stamped on the cylinder, one between each cylinder lock groove; they are difficult to make out as the stamps were not well done.  All three serial number stamps match – the one on the frame, the one on the bottom of the barrel in front of the hinge (shows only “191”), and the one on the rear face of the cylinder.    

The photos are high resolution, so zoom in to see details.  Contact me for with your questions and for additional photos of any area you would like to see or see better.

The buyer pays $25 USPS Priority Mail and $21.20 insurance (actual price per USPS ) 

The fastest way to get this gun is to pay with a USPS (U.S. Postal Service) money order, as they are like cash, and I don’t have to wait for them to clear.  However, I will accept a personal check, other type checks, or other type money orders, but I will hold the gun until it clears my bank; that includes bank checks and cashier’s checks.  Check or money orders must be made out to Jerry Pownall or Barboursville Arms.
 


Price: $950.00