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I don't think you can enlarge the recoil plate's firing pin hole on an Enfield No2 - it's already far oversized! The hammer body stops when it contacts the frame, the nose doesn't strike anything if a round is not loaded. I've seen photos of the dry fire device, that was for the Webley Mark VI. Never seen one in person, though. Still, I'd avoid excessive dry fire a with any classic firearm. It's interesting to note that a WWI-era British combat revolver book mentions that dry firing should be practiced until one can cycle the pistol in double action at least sixty times in one minute with no major fatigue to the hand or arm muscles.Reese Williams wrote:You won't damage the firing pin nose, but you can enlarge the hole in the recoil shield where the firing pin goes through. In general dry firing is not a good idea unless you use snap caps or some other dry firing device. There was a purpose made dry firing piece for Webleys. It was a spring steel and leather piece that slipped over the hammer.
That's a handsome, very early example you've got. I believe 1929 was the first year of regular production, after the prototypes and toolroom samples. The dating coincides with what you've determined. The hammer block safety was first added in early 1931 after reports of accidental discharges if the revolvers were dropped or struck on the hammer. Odd the hammer block safety would be removed late in the wartime years as a cost saving measure.m3bobby wrote: It originally had no hammer stop or groove and was returned to the factory to be upgraded.
Hate to grave dig, but there is some info on your Lieutenant online...Drake wrote:This particular revolver was carried by Lieutenant John Seymour Pears during the invasion of Italy in 1943. His name and address is on the backstrap. Unfortunately since WWII records aren't public information yet I can't request a copy of his medal card or any other information.
http://hooverae.com/upload/files/190509/1245446.jpeg[/pic]
Harry Pears was the son of Kilby Pears, a pharmaceutical chemist who had set up a manufacturing chemist company in the early 1870’s, operating from 16, Western Road, Hove, Sussex. Harry joined his father in the business about 1890, and the company changed its name from Kilby Pears Pharmaceutical Chemist to Kilby Pears & Son. The company disappeared between 1899 and 1909, and the whereabouts of the Pears family is unknown until 1924, when Harry W K Pears arrives at Newchapel House. The Pears’ made few alterations to the house during their ownership of nearly thirty years, except installing a staircase leading from the music gallery to the second floor, and adorn the walls of the hall with a selection of arms and armour that Harry Pears had acquired from the Mapleton Collection.
The Pears family included a son, John Seymour and a daughter, Nira Kathleen, although local legend suggests that there was a second son who was killed in World War II, but to date no details have been found. What is known is that John was born in 1915, and attained a BA at Trinity College. With the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted with the Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons), Royal Armoured Corps. He was part of the Allied forces that invaded the Italian mainland on 3rd September 1943, but his active service was cut short as he lost his life on 20th October the same year. Lieutenant John Seymour Pears, 13257, was buried in Minturno War Cemetary, in Italy. The Pears family were said to be devastated, not only had they lost a son, or possibly two, but also they no longer had an heir to whom Newchapel House would pass.
Very nice photos and great discussion...thanks guys!
