Unit Markings On An Enfield No 2 Mk I

[BruceHMX]

Recent purchase of an Enfield No 2 Mk I no asterisk dated 1932. Has the unit marking stamped on the back strap RA (Royal Artillery) 20 F 3 below it. So pulling the British Artillery Regiments up from WW2 the only unit that has a 20 in it is 20 FA Bde then renamed in 1938 the 20 Anti Tank Regiment. This is the only RA unit with a 20 in it. This unit was in the BEF with the 3rd Division and remained in that division the entire war. Dunkirk, back to England, then Normandy and the push through France into Germany. Would I be correct in this is probably the unit? Number 3 would assume weapon number 3?

Has the sold out of service stamps and ENGLAND on the top of barrel. How did these revolvers escape being reworked? Photos to follow.

Thanks

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

The old Mk1 revolver was only ever obsolescent meaning that while it was still fully serviceable it would not necessarily ever be upgraded to a Mk1*. I'm surprised that it is marked on the back strap because that was not permitted. That's the reason for the expendable marking disc. But wartime and all that stuff....... As for the markings, unless they followed the format laid down in the ER's, it's anyones guess to be honest.

[BruceHMX]

Thanks Peter

Again I am assuming it was unit marked prior to the disks coming out. Was this authorized pre war and during the beginning? Say up until 1940/41? Are the ER's obtainable to find information about the markings?

[Peter Laidler]

So far as I am aware, stamping the unit details on the weapon was never authorised simply on the basis of where would it end! At least with a marking disc you could use both sides and then new and so on. To be honest, knowing how strictly controlled the world of Armourers was pre-war, I douibt whether any Armourer, Arms storeman etc etc would unit mark by stamping. The quartermaster would go ape.......... Wartime was slightly different - as it usually is. Brian Dick at BDL Ltd in SC has a little booklet that details the marking detail taken from the Equipment Regs of the era. It does list a load of Royal Artillery unit marks.

RAF issues of this revolver were slightly different as the RAF purchased their own and the initials RAF were engraved (not stamped) on the body prior to supply (presumably at Enfield ?) to the RAF

[BruceHMX]

Thanks Peter I will contact Dick.

[BruceHMX]

Had an excellent conversation with Brian and 2 books are on the way.

[Simon P]

Amongst the No2 Enfield Revolvers we brought in recently there were some RAF engraved examples, one Israeli Haganah example and this Canadian RCAF marked one:

[Peter Laidler]

Don't have access to the paperwork at the moment but the RAF purchased odd quantities of No2 revolvers, generally when and because there was a small surplus in over production. They insisted that the pistols willl not be stamped with their ownership mark for fear of bruising and other internal damage so engraved it was.

[breakeyp]

I have a No.2 revolver with Royal Tank Regiment marking on the back strap. Apparently some armorers went rouge.

[BruceHMX]

I have a No.2 revolver with Royal Tank Regiment marking on the back strap. Apparently some armorers went rouge.

Curious as to what your marking looks like. I also have a Royal Tank corps marked No. 2. Will see if I can get photos of both.