Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
Thank you. Those are unit markings for which unit it was issued to and the British crown stamp. The II stands for the British designation for the 2nd model, Mark II.
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The way I understand those markings from Pate's US Handguns of WWII is the top arrow stamp is called the "broad arrow" and signifies government ownership of the weapon. Below that is the military inspector's mark that usually consists of a crown over a number/letter combination signifying the inspector and his/her location. In the case above, E is for the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield. And finally, the II, as Jim states, is for the 2nd model S&W .455 hand ejector.
Somewhere on the gun there should be a "sold out of service" stamp which is two broad arrows positioned tip to tip. If it is missing, then the gun likely made its way here by a different route than through normal surplus import.