British, Interwar-Dated 1933, Early Enfield No.2 Mk I .38/200 Service Revolver, Matching Serial No. C1375, Old Spec Handling UK Deactivated, with Original Lanyard - 29

*British, Interwar-Dated 1933, Early Enfield No.2 Mk I .38/200 Service Revolver, Matching Serial No. C1375, Old Spec Handling UK Deactivated, with Original Lanyard *

- Desirable Old Specification handling with functioning top-break action, rotating cylinder, cocking and dry-firing mechanism
- Early 1933 Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield production
- Original No.2 Mk I configuration retaining the exposed hammer (not converted to Mk I specification)
- Matching serial number C1375 to frame, barrel and cylinder
- Chambered for the British .38/200 (.38 S&W) service cartridge
- Original chequered walnut grip panels
- British Broad Arrow ownership and military inspection marks throughout
- Later FR 69 D military refurbishment/inspection marking
- Original military lanyard fitted
- Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate dated 2 December 2015

An original British Enfield No.2 Mk I service revolver manufactured by the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, in 1933 and chambered for the .38/200 (.38 S&W) service cartridge. Bearing matching serial number C1375 to the frame, barrel and cylinder, this is a particularly early example of Britain's standard military revolver, retaining its original exposed hammer and both single- and double-action operation.

Unlike the majority of surviving Enfield revolvers, this example has escaped wartime conversion to the later double-action-only Mk I* specification, making it a highly desirable collector's example of the original pattern adopted by the British Army before the Second World War. It is complete with its military lanyard and accompanied by its original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate.

The right side of the frame is crisply marked ENFIELD above the crowned royal cypher together with No.2 Mk I and the 1933 date. The barrel rib is correctly stamped CAL. .38, together with the abbreviated 33 manufacture date, British Broad Arrow ownership mark and additional military inspection stamps. Matching serial number C1375 is repeated on the cylinder, beneath the barrel assembly and on the concealed frame beneath the barrel, confirming matching principal components. The cylinder additionally bears the factory inspection mark F.22.

The revolver retains numerous British military inspection and acceptance marks throughout. The right side of the frame bears the later FR 69 D refurbishment or inspection marking, generally interpreted by collectors as recording a military factory repair or inspection undertaken in 1969, although the precise meaning of the suffix letter remains undocumented. Additional crown-over-letter inspection stamps are present on the frame and components, identifying individual RSAF Enfield viewers and military inspectors responsible for manufacture and subsequent acceptance. Further crossed inspection marks and individual component viewer's stamps, including a boxed D, remain visible, illustrating the extensive inspection regime applied to British service revolvers throughout their military life.

Approximate Measurements: Barrel length: 5 inches (12.7 cm), Calibre: .38/200 (.38 S&W)

History Note:
Following extensive military trials during the late 1920s, the British Army adopted the Enfield No.2 revolver in 1932 to replace the long-serving Webley service revolvers. Manufactured at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, it was chambered for the .38/200 cartridge, a lighter-recoiling service round considered well suited to military use.

The earliest production revolvers were designated No.2 Mk I, featuring both single- and double-action operation with an exposed hammer spur. Wartime experience led to the adoption of the simplified double-action-only Mk I* specification, and many early Mk I revolvers were subsequently converted by removing the hammer spur and disabling the single-action mechanism. Consequently, original Mk I revolvers surviving in their factory configuration are considerably scarcer than their later wartime counterparts.

Serial number C1375 places this revolver amongst the earliest production batches manufactured during 1933. As expected of these pre-war examples, it exhibits the excellent machining, polished finish and walnut grips characteristic of early RSAF Enfield manufacture.

*Condition*
Presented in very good original military condition throughout with an attractive factory blue finish displaying honest service wear to the muzzle, cylinder, frame edges and other high points consistent with military issue and decades of careful storage. The original walnut grip panels remain particularly well preserved, retaining crisp chequering and an attractive aged patina with only minor handling marks. The original military lanyard ring remains fitted together with a period lanyard. All principal markings remain crisp and legible, including the Enfield factory markings, model designation, manufacture date, matching serial numbers and numerous military inspection stamps.

Mechanically, the revolver retains good display functionality. The hammer cocks correctly in both single- and double-action, the trigger releases cleanly and the cylinder rotates correctly during operation. The top-break action opens. The revolver remains an excellent display and collector's piece. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition report.

Deactivation:
Deactivated by the Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House and accompanied by its original Deactivation Certificate dated 2 December 2015. Although certified under the later UK deactivation regulations then in force, the revolver retains desirable old specification handling characteristics, including a functioning top-break action, rotating cylinder, and a cocking and dry-firing mechanism. The certificate records the revolver as an Enfield Revolver, serial number C1375, calibre .38, with a 5-inch barrel, country of origin United Kingdom, under certificate reference CG 131856. The corresponding Birmingham Proof House deactivation marks remain present on the principal components.