SAS marked Enfield No.2 Mk1??????

[alnukem]

I own a small gunshop & bought this yesterday with 2 long guns, they were all cruddy & I bought them cheap. I removed the cylinder & grips, cleaned the bore & started carding to clean the crap off. I was very surprised. Does anybody know if this stands for the "Special Air Service"? Thanks!

Information

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[Daan Kemp]

This seems to be a Mk1* with the spurless hammer, but dated 1932, which indicates early production of Mk1. Possibly updated in the war but not renumbered.

The short barrel and spurless hammer? SAS 52? Leave that to the experts.

[browningautorifle]

I doubt the SAS marked any of their equipment to pinpoint them as owners...

[alnukem]

I doubt the SAS marked any of their equipment to pinpoint them as owners...

Remember, they weren't always "spooks".

[Gil Boyd]

Agreed

[Woodsy]

I cannot imagine the SAS marking their weapons so conspicuously, especially when you consider the clandestine nature of their activities. I suspect SAS means 'Spuriously Applied Stamps'!

---------- Post added at 03:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:30 PM ----------

Upon reflection I suspect SAS stands for the Small Arms School based at Warminster. Peter Laidler would be the man to know.

[Jacob]

I agree with Woodsy, S.A.S. in that format is on a number of firearms in the small arms school, particularly on ones that were obtained before the move the Warminster from Hythe.

[alnukem]

I cannot imagine the SAS marking their weapons so conspicuously, especially when you consider the clandestine nature of their activities. I suspect SAS means 'Spuriously Applied Stamps'!

No, I totally disagree. These markings have been on there since it's military days. I have sold in excess of 120,000 guns across the counter in my career & handled many more. I have seen my share of fakes & enhancements. This gun came out of the woodwork, not from a online sellor or gun show. This is a Pre-Import marked gun, meaning it was imported prior to 1968. It was a cheap gun then at $15 with no collector value. It was probably bought for a house gun or shooter & then fell into dis-use. I had to use a carding wheel (a soft, fine, rotary wire wheel that is soft enough to put your skin on it & not hurt) to even read the markings. I don't know what the markings mean, but they where put there in it's military career by a trained person.

[Jacob]

Here is an example of the Small Arms School marking on a .22 Lee Metford that was for sale in the UK a few years ago which appears to be the same format as on the No2.

I would assume the number beneath SAS is the year it was brought in to the collection.

[Daan Kemp]

What would the SAS have had in mind with such a bulky revolver as well as the short barrel? Many better options available.

Was the short barrel a standard Enfield production?