I need some info/advice on a revolver. think it's an enfield

drslav

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So someone I know wants to see a what I believe is an enfield revolver that looks like this one in the picture. Now... it's in 38 calibre. Has two letter four digit serial. Marking is something like I* what i can tell. Looks like it had paint but it's all scratched up. Bore is great locks up fairly tight but needs cleaning. What would be approximate value of this thing? I may buy it if it's cheap enough. Any info will be appreciated.
PICTURE FROM INTERNET.
Enfield%20MK%20IV.jpg
 
It's chambered for a round the Brits call the 38/200. To bad they didn't stick with the 200grn lead bullet though.

38S&W will chamber and should shoot reasonably well. Your bore should measure out to .360 or larger. My pistol likes hollow base cast bullets very much as they obdurate into the lands.

38S&W can be very difficult to find at times but if you are into it you can cut down 38spl brass which seems to be plentiful.

The pistol in your pic is double action only. They usually have a horrendous trigger pull as well.

They used to sell for $20 about 45 years ago. Not anymore. Now $200 to $300 is about the going rate.

The pistol with the original 200grn load at 700fps was a formidable threat. Very similar to the 45acp but with a better BC.

If you have small to medium hands you will find the grips very ergonomic.

These top break pistols were the cream of the combat revolvers. They were easily cleared of spent cases and easily reloaded under stressful conditions.

A fellow armed with one of them was just as well armed as with any other pistol of the period. That should draw a lot of controversy. The thing is, even the later full metal jacket bullet still weighed out at 174 grains and was driven faster. For a well trained operator the pistol was indeed a formidable weapon.
 
I can agree with bearhunter untill the second half of his post. I've never seen anything that suggested the 38/200 was an effective round.

They chamber 38 s&w and shoot well, but a DA only model like the one picture is an abysmal target shooting device..they are a neat historical artifact though. To collect, if it's less then 200 it's a good deal. To shoot, if its more the 100 find something else!
 
Appreciate your insight. Yes this gun has hard trigger. I was hoping to get it for about 150. Left grip was sanded on top to obviously accommodate someone with small hands. I do like it as a piece of history and I would shoot it.
 
you can cut down 38spl brass which seems to be plentiful.

Tried that. Maybe if you're desperate, but the case diameter is smaller enough, that you will get badly bulged cases at the least.
 
The 38/200 is .38 S&W with a 200 grain lead bullet. Case dimensions aren't any different.
.38 S&W ammo is not exactly easy to come by these days. It is not just a short .38 Special. The Special's rim is 4 thou thicker for one. And it uses a .360" bullet, but you can get by with a cast .358".
Winchester and Remington load it(145 grain lead only), but it'll likely be a special order thing through your local gun shop.
That revolver is an Enfield No. 2 Mk I*. A so-called 'Tanker'. DA only. Value will depend on its condition. Marstar wants $299 for one they say is in Good to Very Good condition.
 
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