1932 Enfield No.2 Mk.1 - a lucky find

[Brit plumber]

The Enfield was designed around the .38/200 cartridge which was basically a heavier bullet on a .38 S&W case. Someone has marked the S&W after the .38 maybe in a bid to make it more saleable .

[gsimmons]

The Enfield was designed around the .38/200 cartridge which was basically a heavier bullet on a .38 S&W case. Someone has marked the S&W after the .38 maybe in a bid to make it more saleable .

It probably was done when imported to differentiate between it and .38 Special which was the popular revolver round in this country.

[Brit plumber]

I've not tried to drop a 38 special into one, would it fit? I have a photo somewhere of another Enfield marked in the same way. Whatever the reason, they are still an interesting revolver.

[conec]

It probably was done when imported to differentiate between it and .38 Special which was the popular revolver round in this country.

That's my reason for being somewhat puzzled. The pistol was never "imported" from the UK in the regular sense. The "S&W" was applied in England, the reason escapes me...

[gsimmons]

Maybe Crudgington's added it so there wouldn't be any mistake as to calibre.

[Peter Laidler]

I think that you'd be in difficulty if you fired anything other than the old .38" S&W cartridge in a .38" Enfield, regardless of whether it 'fitted'. We have a couple of revolvers showing 'other' cartridges that have been fired. It's easy to see, due to tne fact that the chambers/cylinders have peeled back allowing you to look inside!

I read that there were thoughts about allowing 9mm Luger to be fired with No2 revolvers, using a plunger and spring mechanism in the ejector to a) hold the cartridge to the rear and b) eject it - after a fashion. But the trials were unsatisfactory.

I amk of the old school where if it says .38" Enfield and takes .38" S&W cartridges, then that's what I put in it. Old fashioned but...........

[Merle]

Maybe Crudgington's added it so there wouldn't be any mistake as to calibre.

That would make sense.

[A square 10]

to answer the question , yes it will drop in , albeit very loosely , but indeed it will be a bad experience should it be fired , i think it too long to allow the revolution of the cylinder and actuating of the fire control group but ... i never say never or always with enfeilds ...i will say DO NOT DO THIS ,

all that said , nice example of a mkI , shame you had to part with a fine example of a mkI** to get it , you really need both in your collection ,

[Nick S]

In my usual way of collecting serial numbers, I began collating Enfield revolver serials some time ago. Here's a rough yearly range, as normal, there are some guns where the date marking on the frame is earlier or later than the inspector date on the barrel.

1927, TR 1 & 3 (Peter knows No. 1 well)
1929, 1, 42, 52, 177 & 188
1930, 489 to 3965
1931, 4520 to A4796
1932, A4800 to B4447
1933, B5961 to C3635
1934, C4466 to D720x
1935, D5794 to D8944
1936, E7x to E439x
1937, E4760 to F9x
1938, F53x to F6234
1939, Mk1 F8367 to G3390 Mk1* G4620 to H2859

Bit of a bump!

I have a 1930 frame/1929 barrel serial number 429 which would extend your 1930 number range.