WW2 British Enfield Mki** Da 1943 Revolver (Original)
SKU: BRITISH ENFIELD MKI** DA 1043 REVOLVER
Original/Reproduction: Original
Availability: In-Stock
Manufacturer: Enfield
Date Manufactured: 1943
Model: Mki** Da
Serial Number: X137. Bbl
Caliber: .38/200 (also known as .38 S&W)
Capacity: 6-round cylinder
Action Type: Double-action only (DA)
Barrel Lenght: 5 inches (127 mm)
Finish: Typically parkerized or blued steel
Grips: Hard black plastic or Bakelite, with checkering
Bore: 9.5/10
Weight: Approximately 1.7 lbs (0.77 kg)
Condition: Near Mint
Price: $900.00
Seller Type: Classification: C&R / FFL
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code: PAA 593
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description:
This Original British Enfield Mki** Da Revolver Cal. 38 S&W. This revolver was manufatured in England in 1943. Blade front sight. Square notch rear sight. Matching numbers on frame, bbl., and cyl. Right side of frame marked "DI" for Enfield. Left side of bbl. has British sale proofs. Left side of frame has "ENGLAND" marking. Parts have varied British military proofs. Parkerized finish with some Suncorite small parts. Grooved black grips. Lanyard ring present on bottom of grip frame. CONDITION: grips show a crack at rear of left panel, some flaking, light chipping, dings & handling marks. Metal retains 85% dull arsenal blue with some edge wear, light oxidation & some dings. Action functions properly when hand cycled. Very Good bore.
*This Revolver was from the Estate Collection of Charles Wagner.
History:
The No.2 Mk I revolver was adopted by the British Army in 1932, replacing the larger Webley Mk VI revolvers. By 1942, wartime production demands led to the simplification of the design, resulting in the Mk I* and Mk I** variants. These changes were primarily to speed up manufacturing and simplify training.
The "D" marking typically indicates an official issue weapon, often marked by specific contracts or unit designations depending on the arsenal's practices at the time. The 1943 date places this revolver squarely in the middle of WWII, likely seeing service across multiple fronts—from the deserts of North Africa to the jungles of Burma, or in the hands of British troops during the Italian Campaign.
Design Features:
- Simplified Wartime Variant: The Mk I** was a streamlined version of the earlier Mk I and Mk I*, with the most noticeable change being the elimination of the single-action feature. This meant the hammer was "bobbed" and could no longer be manually cocked.
- Double Action Only: Designed for close-quarters combat and ease of training, the DA-only mechanism allowed soldiers to fire quickly without manual hammer cocking.
- Break-Top Design: The revolver featured a top-break frame with an automatic ejector, allowing spent cartridges to be ejected simultaneously when the action was opened.
- Rugged and Reliable: Built for battlefield durability, the Enfield No. 2 Mk I** was known for being robust and simple to maintain under field conditions.
By 1943, Britain was deep into the war effort, and rapid production was essential. The Mk I** was born out of necessity—less machining time, fewer moving parts, and simplified training for new recruits. Though some soldiers disliked the heavy double-action trigger pull, the revolver proved dependable in the field. It was commonly carried by tank crews, artillerymen, and officers.
