Royal Small Arms Factory No. 2 Mk I** .38 S&W Revolver – 1942 WWII-Era DAO, Top-Break, 5-Inch Barrel
Built in 1942 at Enfield for wartime service, this Royal Small Arms Factory No. 2 Mk I** revolver represents the simplified, double-action-only variant issued to British forces. The Y-prefix serial confirms late-1942 production, while an FTR/52 stamp shows the revolver received an official Factory Thorough Repair in 1952, extending its service life. Original black Bakelite grips with brass unit disc, intact crown proof marks, and the ENGLAND export stamp make this piece a well-documented example for collectors of WWII sidearms.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Minor scratching, scuffing, pitting, and blemishing are present on the exterior surfaces.
What’s Included
- Royal Small Arms Factory No. 2 Mk I** revolver
Produced during the height of WWII, the Mk I** pattern eliminated the spur hammer and some machining steps to speed production. This double-action-only mechanism was favored for rapid use under stress and prevents single-action cocking, aligning with British tank crew requirements.
The top-break frame combines quick reloading with a simultaneous star extractor, ejecting all six spent .38/200 cartridges at once. The 5-inch carbon-steel barrel retains clear fixed blade and square-notch sights, offering the sight picture specified in British service manuals of the era.
Factory crown/BNP and crown/BV proofs remain crisp, alongside the broad-arrow ownership mark. The brushed blue/black oxide finish is correct for RSAF production and continues onto the cylinder and frame, giving the revolver a uniform wartime appearance despite age-appropriate wear.
Collectors will appreciate the intact brass unit disc set into the right grip panel, a detail often replaced or missing on field-used examples. Combined with the documented 1952 FTR, this revolver shows both its WWII origin and post-war service history.