British Mk V fuze igniting pistol pictures and question

My Christmas present is this fuze igniting pistol Mk V that walked into a local show. According to the list of changes, the design was accepted in 1915. This one is a bit of a puzzler in that it has the Mk V model marking and what I assume is a 1941 manufacturing/acceptance date. The date could be a serial number. There are no broad arrow or other military markings. The maker is Mitchell marked on the frame. The 26 number on the grip is probably an inventory number. It has a spring steel belt clip. It fires a .38 cal. special blank center fire cartridge. In use the cartridge was inserted in the rotating breech block and the barrel shroud was loosened to allow the split barrel to expand allowing the fuze to be inserted into the barrel. The shroud was tightened to hold the fuze in place during firing.


It is missing the breech block detent plunger, spring and retaining screw.
Can someone confirm my thinking that it was made in 1941 for the war or is it just a commercial version?

Attachment 104374Attachment 104375Attachment 104376

Why do you assume the "1941" to be a date and not a serial number? I would have assumed it to have a serial number and, if there is no other likely number present, then I would conclude that "1941" was probably it's serial number.

Are you sure that the "Mitchell" marking is not the importer who originally imported it into the USA?

It is not a firearm and does not require the importer to mark it. The MkV marking identifies it as British Issue, list of changes dated 1915 and the date 941 follows. It could also be a serial number, that is why I have asked the question. Hopefully someone who knows will respond.