Following the conclusion of the First World War, the British Government decided to replace the large Webley service revolvers, which chambered the .455 round, with a smaller and lighter sidearm. The new preferred weapon was a .38 caliber revolver that fired a long, heavy 200 grain soft lead bullet. The .455 cartridge had established its effectiveness in stopping enemy combatants, but its significant recoil complicated marksmanship training. The authorities initiated a search for a double-action revolver characterized by reduced weight and recoil, enabling quick mastery by minimally trained soldiers, with the goal of maximizing the probability of hitting a target with the first shot at extremely close ranges.
The technical advantage sought in the new design involved the use of a long, heavy, round-nosed lead bullet within the .38 caliber cartridge. This combination resulted in a bullet minimally stabilized for its weight and caliber, which tended to 'keyhole,' or tumble longitudinally, in flight. This effect was intended to increase the wounding and stopping ability against human targets at short ranges. This specific cartridge, the .38 caliber Smith & Wesson with a 200-grain lead bullet, was already a popular cartridge in civilian and police use, where it was known as the ".38 Super Police".
The British firm Webley & Scott responded to the authorities' requirements by tendering their Webley Mk IV revolver in .38/200 calibre. Instead of adopting the Webley design directly, the British authorities transferred the design to the Government-run Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield. The Enfield factory subsequently developed a revolver designated the "Revolver, No 2 Mk I," which was similar to the Webley Mk IV .38 but featured internal differences. The Enfield-designed pistol, which featured a single/double action mechanism and a hammer spur, was adopted in 1931. This was followed in 1938 by the Mk I* variant, which had a lightened trigger pull and a spurless, double-action-only hammer, and finally the Mk I** in 1942, which was simplified for wartime production.
Webley sued the British Government for £2,250, claiming this amount as the "costs involved in the research and design" of the revolver. Enfield contested the action, asserting that the Enfield No 2 Mk I was designed by Captain Boys, the Assistant Superintendent of Design, with only assistance from Webley & Scott. While Webley's claim was denied, the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors awarded Webley & Scott £1,250 by way of compensation.
The original Mk I was produced until 1939 and featured wooden handgrips and a double-action/single-action mechanism, allowing the shooter the option to thumb-cock the hammer for a lighter trigger pull. Approximately 55,000 Mk Is were manufactured, and an unknown number were converted to the Mk I* standard during factory repair. The Mk I* was characterized by a spurless hammer and a double-action-only operation, consistent with its intended role as a close-range weapon. The handgrips for this variant were made of plastic, designed to improve grip during rapid double-action fire. The majority of the Enfield No 2 revolvers produced were either Mk I* models or were modified to this standard. RSAF Enfield was unable to manufacture sufficient No. 2 revolvers to meet the military’s wartime demands, and as a result, the Webley Mk IV was also issued as a substitute standard for the British Army.
This particular No. 2 Mk I* is all original. It is in excellent condition with a nice tight lock up and flawless functionality on double action. The lock up between the frame and barrel is excellent with no wobble or shake.
The grips are original and matching. They are both in excellent condition with no chips or cracks.
The finish is very good with only some minor wear on the edges and high spots.
*This weapon was made after 1899 and MUST be shipped to Federal Firearms License holder for transfer. Never bought a gun through an FFL before? Give us a call at (262) 473-5444 and we'd be glad to walk you through this simple process
