tanker? - The Firearms Forum

mara · 10-17-2010, 04:28 PM

this gun i know nothing about. i was told it coukld be a tankers modle. there are numbers on it but no nameon the body it says 38 7673 5 ton next to the grip I** on the cylinder 3j3987.

Jim K · 10-17-2010, 06:44 PM

It is a British Enfield revolver, officially the Pistol, Revolver No. 2 Mk I**, made by the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, 1943-1945. They were the standard British service revolver of WWII.

The caliber was designated as the Cartridge, Small Arms, Ball, Revolver, .380 inch, Mk II. We call it the .38 Smith & Wesson and it is available at most sporting goods and gun shops under that name. (Note that the cartridge name is ".38 S&W" no matter what make of gun it is used in.)

Those revolvers are solid guns, and reliable; the rough exterior is the result of wartime shortcuts and does not affect the funtioning of the gun. As you know, the gun can be fired only double action. The earlier guns had hammer spurs but reportedly they snagged on parts of tank interiors and the spur was removed. That is the source of the idea that they were "tanker" guns, but in fact from about 1943 on, the DA only models were in general issue. They have been criticized as low power compared with the U.S. .45 ACP and the German 9mm, but the British never considered a revolver as a fighting weapon, more a symbol of leadership, like a saber or a swagger stick.

The proof marks are British commercial proofs, put on when the gun was sold out of government stores, likely around 1957. The ".767" is the case length of the round, and the "3.5 tons" is the working pressure of the ammunition.

I don't see it in the pics, but the broad arrow British property mark should be on the top strap.

Current retail value is around $650, but that is what a dealer might sell it for, not what he would give you for it. Those guns make good home defense guns as it is difficult or impossible for a child to operate one.

Jim

mara · 10-18-2010, 04:49 AM

ty very much. u guys have been great.

Jim K · 10-18-2010, 12:33 PM

One clarification. The Pistol, Revolver No.2 Mk I went through several changes from the time it was adopted in June of 1932 to its formal discontinuance in the 1950's. It was the Mk I** version that was made from 1943 to 1945.

Jim

10-17-2010, 04:28 PM	#1
mara Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: maine Posts: 28	tanker? this gun i know nothing about. i was told it coukld be a tankers modle. there are numbers on it but no nameon the body it says 38 7673 5 ton next to the grip I** on the cylinder 3j3987. -->

10-17-2010, 06:44 PM	#2
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: tanker? It is a British Enfield revolver, officially the Pistol, Revolver No. 2 Mk I*, made by the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, 1943-1945. They were the standard British service revolver of WWII. The caliber was designated as the Cartridge, Small Arms, Ball, Revolver, .380 inch, Mk II. We call it the .38 Smith & Wesson and it is available at most sporting goods and gun shops under that name. (Note that the cartridge name is ".38 S&W" no matter what make of gun it is used in.) Those revolvers are solid guns, and reliable; the rough exterior is the result of wartime shortcuts and does not affect the funtioning of the gun. As you know, the gun can be fired only double action. The earlier guns had hammer spurs but reportedly they snagged on parts of tank interiors and the spur was removed. That is the source of the idea that they were "tanker" guns, but in fact from about 1943 on, the DA only models were in general issue. They have been criticized as low power compared with the U.S. .45 ACP and the German 9mm, but the British never considered a revolver as a fighting weapon, more a symbol of leadership, like a saber or a swagger stick. The proof marks are British commercial proofs, put on when the gun was sold out of government stores, likely around 1957. The ".767" is the case length of the round, and the "3.5 tons" is the working pressure of the ammunition. I don't see it in the pics, but the broad arrow British property mark should be on the top strap. Current retail value is around $650, but that is what a dealer might sell it for, not what he would give you for it. Those guns make good home defense guns as it is difficult or impossible for a child to operate one. Jim Last edited by Jim K; 10-17-2010 at 06:49 PM..*

10-18-2010, 04:49 AM	#3
mara Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: maine Posts: 28	Re: tanker? ty very much. u guys have been great.

10-18-2010, 12:33 PM	#4
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: tanker? One clarification. The Pistol, Revolver No.2 Mk I went through several changes from the time it was adopted in June of 1932 to its formal discontinuance in the 1950's. It was the Mk I** version that was made from 1943 to 1945. Jim