Enfield .38 inch No 2 Mk I service revolver, 1935

Manufactured by Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield. This revolver shows the rough finish of wartime refurbished weapons.

The Enfield No 2 was the standard issue revolver for British and Commonwealth forces during World War Two (1939-1945). The demand for sidearms during the war led to Webley and Scott's Mark IV revolver, on which the Enfield's design drew on, also being adopted, along with the Smith and Wesson Victory Model revolver. Although the .38 inch calibre revolver did not have the stopping power of previous .455 inch service weapons, it was easier to use, as it was lighter in weight and had less of a recoil. The Enfield No 2 Mk 1 was adopted in 1931. The Mk 1* was a variant produced from 1938 with a lightened trigger pull that cocked and released the hammer in one double-action. The Mark I** Enfield was a simplified variant produced in 1942, designed to increase production but safety issues led to its discontinuation. Service use of Enfields and Webleys continued into the 1960s until they were replaced by the Browning Hi-Power semi-automatic pistol.

Donated by the Logistics Executive (Army)