RSAF No. 2 Mk I** .38 S&W Top-Break Revolver – 1943 Limited-Production DAO Tanker Variant
Produced in 1943 at the Royal Small Arms Factory, this No. 2 Mk I** revolver represents the short-lived, double-action-only variant built for armored vehicle crews during WWII. Its wartime black enamel finish, bobbed hammer, and automatic star extractor mark it as a purpose-built service sidearm that saw limited manufacture from late 1942 to mid-1943 before the pattern was withdrawn for safety review. Collectors value this model for its scarcity, intact military proofs, and early Bakelite Mk II grip panels—among the first mass-issued synthetic pistol grips.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good – Shows some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained with minor wear marks.
Rifling Condition: Good – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Minor scratching, scuffing, and blemishing are present on the exterior surfaces.
What’s Included
- RSAF No. 2 Mk I** .38 S&W revolver
The Mk I** designation distinguishes this revolver from the more common Mk I* by its factory-bobbed hammer and true double-action-only trigger group, a configuration intended to simplify operation inside cramped armored vehicles.
Serial number 89608 appears on both the cylinder and top strap, matching the frame and confirming its original assembly. Clear broad-arrow military acceptance marks, crown/BP commercial proofs, and the 3 ½ TONS pressure stamp document its British service history and proof testing.
The 5-inch carbon steel barrel and six-shot cylinder retain much of their wartime black enamel/blued finish, complemented by the fixed blade front sight and V-notch top-strap rear sight—standard issue for quick, snag-free aiming.
An automatic star extractor provides simultaneous case ejection when the top-break action is opened, speeding reloads under field conditions. The brass grip disk, still in place, was intended for unit identification and adds to the revolver’s period authenticity.
Original black Bakelite Mk II grip panels remain tight and free of cracks, showcasing one of the earliest military uses of synthetic materials to reduce production time and wartime resource demands.