Enfield No. 2

Enfield No. 2 Mk I. Original configuration with spurred hammer - .38 S&W

Enfield No.2 Mk.1* - .38 S&W

Enfield No.2 Snubnose - .38 S&W

History

The successor to the Webley Mk VI service revolver. Introduced in 1931. It had a smaller frame and was in .38 S&W instead of the bigger .455 Webley caliber. One of the examples shown here was known as the No.2 MkI*. It had a bobbed 'anti snag' hammer due to troubles reported by tank crewmen. Supposedly the first model's hammer spur would catch and snag. This was the official sidearm for the British Army until 1957 when it was replaced by the Browning Hi-Power which is still in service today.

Though it resembles the Webley Mk IV revolver it has significant engineering differences.The Webley Mk IV was introduced by Webley in 1923 as a potential police revolver. The British government at the same time had decided to go to a smaller caliber revolver and liked the 38 caliber load that the Webley Mk IV fired, but in the post war years financial austerity was the watchword. The British government did not want to pay Webley for it's design. In 1926-1927 the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock made changes to the lockwork and trigger mechanism, largely in the provision of a hammer safety lock and a separate cylinder lock. With these modifications the revolver was designated the Enfield No.2. It's full title was Pistol, Revolver, Number 2 Mark 1. Ironically in World War II with demand outstripping the ability to produce the Enfield No.2 the British government purchased a large number of the Webley Mk IV for issue. So while the two models look alike they are very different.