With concerns that the Mark 1 bullet might not be appropriate according to Art. 23(e) of the Hague Convention, the British Small Arms Committee commenced with trials late in 1936 and into 1937 with a jacketed bullet to replace the round-nosed lead bullet used. Various types were tested and designs “CARTRIDGE SA BALL REVOLVER .380-inch MARK II” and “CARTRIDGE SA BALL REVOLVER .380-inch MARK IIz” were accepted in October 1937. The 380 Revolver Mk. 2 was manufactured at the Royal Laboratories at Woolwich, Kynoch and ROF as well as by Australia, Canada, India, Norway, South Africa and Argentina. The Roman numeral was changed from Mark II to 2z in 1944. It was retired from service in 1963, but the 38 S&W continues to this day. (Erlmeier, Brandt Ref. 377)

The first specimen is Egyptian. F.M.C ‘S.L’ (Fabrica Militar de Cartuchos San Lorenzo) is Argentinian. The F.M.M.A.P ‘B’ factory (Fabrica Militar de Municiones para Armas Portátiles de Puerto Borghi) was renamed during 1950 to the Military Ammunition Factory ‘San Lorenzo’. On the 1st of April 1951 the FMC ‘SL’ and the Military Artillery Ammunition Factory were merged under the command of Lieutenant Colonel José Blanco and the name changed to Military Factory, San Lorenzo. The 2 circles dnote Government property. The second specimen from FN with nickel case is in all probability a pressure test round. The specimen with GT headstamp was a contract loading for Pakistan by Gevelot France. The last specimen is by Kirkee Factory India.

The first two specimens are from Chartered Industries, Singapore. The Australian headstamp with MG is by Small Arms Ammunition Factory N°2; Footscray and MQ is by Small Arms Ammunition Factory N°5, Rocklea