1937 Enfield RAF

[Goldsboro]

Hello everyone. I have a 1937 Enfield 38 sw. please see below. I would like to know if the grips are original. I could not tell after online research. That you!!

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

I would say no. Very home made look to them. Not made of wood usually, more early plastic.

(Google provided the picture, a 1937 Enfield revolver from an auction

 

[JohnB-40]

Not original.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Home made. Neato, though!

Love that it still has the hammer spur.

 

[Goldsboro]

They came from the factory with plastic grips?

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

They came from the factory with plastic grips?

Im not sure if it’s true that the earliest versions did, however certainly the later ones did. They have a brass disk on the right hand side which the grip screw threads into.

My gun was made in 1943 is a No.2MK.I*. The modifications to the barrel and the deletion of the lanyard ring happened in the 60’s when it was imported to the U.S.

If you want reproduction grips for the gun to wear, This company will make you a set for a reasonable price. Lots of colors available.

https://www.vintagegungrips.com/shop/enfield-2-mk-1-38-revolver/

 

[Goldsboro]

Thanks!!!!

 

[AlexanderA]

I disagree. Those are worn early original grips that have been (inexpertly) recheckered.

The following picture is of my 1930 No. 2 Mk. I Enfield revolver. It now wears the WW2 plastic grips associated with the Mk. I*, which I find to be much better. But below the gun, in the picture, are the original wooden grips that came with it. You can see that the original checkering was not that great anyway. (The lanyard is an original British issue lanyard, set up the way it's supposed to be.)

 

[Goldsboro]

That was exactly my thought! The checkering did not seem to be professional. Not bad, but not professional. That you all for your input!!!

 

[25-5]

Mine is 1939, not RAF stamped. The grips are original. I did research the and found a site with grips by year.
The lanyards would be blue for RAF.

 

[AlexanderA]

Mine is 1939, not RAF stamped. The grips are original. I did research the and found a site with grips by year.

There seems to have been an evolution in the grips. They started out as wood, with the checkering not reaching the top (as shown on the OP's and mine). Later, the checkering extended to the top (as on yours). Finally, they shifted to the plastic grips. The shape of the late plastic grips was almost a necessity with the DAO Mk. 1*.

Do you by any chance have the URL for the site mentioned?

 

[25-5]

I have lots info in my binder, but not that. Did a quick search and couldn't find it.
I do remember the checkering changed on the wood grips before plastic was used.
There are no markings on the grips, but matched for 1939.

 

[AlexanderA]

There are no markings on the grips, but matched for 1939.

Same here. Also, it seems to be some kind of cheap wood that did not take checkering well. As best I can tell, the checkering was not crisp, even when new.

I like the brass marking disk on the plastic grips. Mine has a Broad Arrow stamp, but is otherwise blank. It would be interesting to find unit markings there.

 

[25-5]

Same here. Also, it seems to be some kind of cheap wood that did not take checkering well. As best I can tell, the checkering was not crisp, even when new.

I like the brass marking disk on the plastic grips. Mine has a Broad Arrow stamp, but is otherwise blank. It would be interesting to find unit markings there.

The info on grips was not in my binder, but a book, right in front of me.
".380 Enfield No. 2 Revolver", by Mark Stamps and Ian Skennerton.
Small book from 1993, but info filled.

 

[Goldsboro]

Wow, so they may be original. Feeling better about them now.