New to me Enfield No. 2 Mk 1* .38/200

[imarangemaster]

Just put a hold at the gunshop where I work part time. Nice No.2 Mk 1* hammerless top break revolver. Comes with original "tanker"? open top holster with cartridge loops, cleaning rod, lanyard, and about 20 rounds of the issue 174 grain FMJs. I'll put it on 10 day Commiefornia hold this week. Years ago, when I was an FFL, I had a .455 Webley, .38 Webley, and .38 Enfield, (though it had the hammer spur) in my collection. I'm excited to get another.

I already load .38 S&W for my Cowboy Action Belly gun, a pre-1900 H&R top break 3". I'll pick up some 170s or 180-s, and load it to WW2 spec. I still have 100 rounds of 158 grain .360 cast I loaded for the Webley and Enfield I use to have. Pics to come.

I won't say price I paid for the whole package, but I will say that working there part time has its advantages! Certainly lower than just the pistols go for on Gun Broker!

[browningautorifle]

Long time too since I had one of those. I also had one that we converted to .22 which worked OK but wasn't very accurate. They seem to be getting scarce around here as I think they've all settled into collections and won't come out until estate...

[imarangemaster]

Also had a MK IV Weblet 38 come in the shop. I grabbed it too.

[imarangemaster]

No Enfield stamped on the right side. Maybe an HAC, Albion, or GCT? I know little about these, except what I have read. Serial is "R8116." Numbers match. Has "DI**" on right side where I have seen Enfield on others. It has the Broad Arrow stamp on the ride side. Also, any way to tell if it is a No 2 MK1* or MK1**? Here's pics.



Thanks in advance.

[green]

It is an Enfield. The D has a cross bar which is a combination of E and D which was the Enfield identifier (trade mark) from the late 1920s.

[imarangemaster]

Thanks! I am guessing it is a MK1* then. It is really tight. Lots of patina and external wear, but bore is awesome. I've got a few rounds of the 174 FMJs that came witrh it, but I am going to load some of Mac's Bullet Webley .38/200 lead 200 grainers.

[imarangemaster]

Any way to tell its year of birth, or whether it is a Mk 1* or MK1**. I have heard that the Mk 1** had some safety issues.

Thanks in advance. I am pretty well versed in US martial firearms, but UK not so much. I have always been fond of break tops, but I really like the British ones... I can't wait to get to the range to shoot both of these, after I load the .38/200 heavy slugs! (Wish I still had my .455 MK VI! That was a serious weapon!)

[Aragorn243]

Not an expert but I have a book which makes me dangerous. Due to the ** mark I'd assume it's an MK I** It was FTR'ed in 1954. Production of MK I** started in 1942, dated versions ended in 1945. Somewhere between 63,860 and 93,860 made. Differences are as follows: Trigger safety stop is deleted and the various holes and pins to hold it in place are omitted. I don't think this caused a problem with the safety of the pistol as Mk I* when this particular part failed just had them removed. They didn't always add the second * to them. R prefix is actually supposed to be an MK I* would be produced in 1942. S is supposed to be the first MK I ** but could be an error in the book or this is one they put the second * on. Five point star however is supposed to be "late" but thinking this also may be an error in the book as the MK I* had a five pointed star. I think an expert may need to decipher all this but I'd assume it was one of the first **'s produced at the end of R prefix or originally an MK i* that was later modified and marked.

[imarangemaster]

Picked up an extra latch spring from Gun Parts Corp for both the Webley and Enfield. That is the only part I ever had to replace on my prior English break tops. About $13 each, so good to have on hand.

[Baal]

I’m a bit late to the party. Haven’t been on the site in a long while.

Have you shot it yet?

It looks to me like an early Mk I**. What’s the date on the top of the barrel? ‘42 or ‘43? It would have been finished with black Suncorite during its FTR in ‘54. That finish would have been removed after it was surplused.