Red Band on an Enfield No 2 Mk I*

[BruceHMX]

26655a by bigsargee7, on Flickr

Revolver is not DP marked. Any idea of the reason for the red band on barrel?

[Peter Laidler]

A red band usually indicated Z/UF. This was an artillery term for Z= Base Workshop repair only and UF = Unfit to Fire but I have seen it on other things, usually rifles - especially No8 rifles that have multiple bulges in the barrels. I would suspect that this is what's the matter with this pistol. A bulged barrel or deep cut or a pucker as a new barrel can only be fitted to a revolver at Base Workshops. But I could be wrong........

[mr.e moose]

Chambered for non standard ammunition perhaps? Lend lease 30-06 M-17 rifles had a red band painted on them to differentiate them from the .303 P-14. Slug the bore to see what diameter it is. S&W made Victory revolvers in .38 S&W as well as .38 special but I do not know if Enfield did the same.

[Peter Laidler]

Enfield revolvers were only made in .38 Enfield/S&W plus a few with a novel 9mm capability and some .22"

[BruceHMX]

So basically it was red banded, sent to a workshop. Barrel replaced and thrown in a unfit parts bin to be melted down later on. Then new barrel installed gun refinished and sent back to the unit. This one could have got caught up in the turn in of all and sold on surplus market. The gun is somewhat local so I'll check it out.

[browningautorifle]

Unfit to fire could still be employed in a classroom environment though. Not necessarily heading for the smelter...

[CINDERS]

Does having the hammer bobbed indicate AFV kit

[Peter Laidler]

The removal of the hammer spur for tank crews - or anything to do with tanks - is a total myth, perpetuated over many years. They didn't ask for this at all.