Can someone identify this revolver?
- Thread starter gxceb0t
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British 38 Webley,. used in quite a few conflicts over time.
British Enfield 38cal No2 Mk1* or a No2 Mk1** variation (should be so stamped on the right side plate).
Made/proofed in 1943 so it could be the Mk1** version which came out in '42. again check the side plate for the marking.
Mk1** was a Double action only simpler made version of the slightly earlier No2Mk1*,,which was also DA only but a conversion of the SA/DA No2Mk1 original version.
Cal 38S&W in American speak.
RSAF Enfield made most of these. But some were made and marked Albion (Motor Co), those were made in Scotland during 2nd War.
A very few were made in Australia (less than 400 or500), marked HAV (Howard Auto Cultivator Co (?sp) .
Very rare to find one of these,,if it is an HAV,,it is a highly sought after pistol!.
Even an Albion marked No2Mk1* is kind of hard to find and any of these are zooming ever upwards in prices of late.
The revolver was a standard issue sidearm of the British and Commonwealth Soldiers in WW2. It remained a secondary issue and in use in many parts of the world into the 70's, probably later in the off the beaten path parts of planet.
Made/proofed in 1943 so it could be the Mk1** version which came out in '42. again check the side plate for the marking.
Mk1** was a Double action only simpler made version of the slightly earlier No2Mk1*,,which was also DA only but a conversion of the SA/DA No2Mk1 original version.
Cal 38S&W in American speak.
RSAF Enfield made most of these. But some were made and marked Albion (Motor Co), those were made in Scotland during 2nd War.
A very few were made in Australia (less than 400 or500), marked HAV (Howard Auto Cultivator Co (?sp) .
Very rare to find one of these,,if it is an HAV,,it is a highly sought after pistol!.
Even an Albion marked No2Mk1* is kind of hard to find and any of these are zooming ever upwards in prices of late.
The revolver was a standard issue sidearm of the British and Commonwealth Soldiers in WW2. It remained a secondary issue and in use in many parts of the world into the 70's, probably later in the off the beaten path parts of planet.
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Back in the early 60's these revolvers flooded the used military firearms market. One could order one by mail or buy one at various outlets like Sears. He probably paid $15-$25 for it back then. They were used by the British. Probably no great collector value. Have a qualified gunsmith go over it, if you decide to shoot it and get the correct (low powered) ammo.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
An Enfield, as noted.
They used to be cheap. No mas. They bring decent money now.
They used to be cheap. No mas. They bring decent money now.
Sawfish
Member
I had one and it was a pretty good shooter once you got used to the DAO action,
Yes, I think he got it mail order.
Like other UK guns fair workmanship and material and butt ugly. I had lots of them when I was a kid in early 60s. $10 in the store, gun shops wouldn't give you anything on trade for one. Kliens sold tons of them and other undesirable mil surps for $10 and had specials on assortments. Today most of those $10 pistols are collectors items. I got the brite idea to buy the assortment. At the time you cold fill out the order and statement you were 21 and mail order them. I did in my dads name and when they came he made me send them back. The only one I remember Roth Styer
8mm. All were autos with hard to find ammo.
8mm. All were autos with hard to find ammo.
Thuer
Member
MCorps0311
US Veteran
Does it still fire?
Don't know yet. Just got it home.
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Yes they were once quite common and very, very cheap. Not the case anymore and prices have gotten a lot higher. They are still one of the cheapest WWII service handguns to collect (when compared to most other countries guns) though some variations (Albion Motors, Howard Auto Cultivator and the early Enfield made models) often bring a nice premium. The OP's is one of the most common versions but I recently sold off a couple I had to finance another purchase and they went for $350 and $400. Not bad for guns that I had picked up years ago for a lot less. Rarely see one at most gun shows anymore.
As to shooting they are fun to shoot. They will chamber the standard 38 S&W cartridge though the lighter weight bullet does shoot low compared to the sights which are set for the original service load (originally 200 grain lead, later a 178 grain jacketed bullet). Mild recoil and the DA only action is usually fairly smooth and easy to handle.
