Anti-tank rifle Boys

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Anti-tank rifle Boys
Boys rifle cropped.JPG
general information
Military designation: Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55in, Boys
Country of operation: UK , Canada , USA
Developer / Manufacturer: Captain Boys, Royal Small Arms Factory , Birmingham Small Arms Company , John Inglis Company
Manufacturer country: UK, Canada
Production time: 1937 to 1942
Model variants: Mark 1, Mark 1 *, Mark 2
Weapon Category: Anti-tank rifle
Furnishing
Overall length: 1620 mm
Weight: (unloaded) 16.32 kg
Barrel length : 915 mm
Technical specifications
Caliber : 13.9 mm (.55)
Possible magazine fillings : 5 cartridges
Ammunition supply : Bar magazine, inserted from above
Cadence : 6 to 8 rounds / min
Fire types: Single fire
Closure : Cylinder lock with bolt handle
Charging principle: Multiple loaders
Lists on the subject

The Boys anti-tank rifle (English Boys anti-tank rifle ) was during the Second World War, widespread weapon of the allied forces. It was used in particular by the British Army and Commonwealth armies .

history

The massive armament of the German Reich after Hitler came to power alarmed the British army command. At the time, the British military had no armor-piercing weapons in their arsenals that were effective against modern main battle tanks. In 1934 the renowned designer Captain HC Boys was commissioned to design an anti-tank rifle. The development took place under strict confidentiality requirements. If anything, the weapon was a stanchion gun ( SUPPORTING GUN mentioned). In 1937 the Boys rifle was officially incorporated into the equipment of the British Army .

Structure and use

The main problem in developing a ballistic anti-tank rifle was mastering the immense recoil of the weapon. In order to develop armor-piercing effects at all, a bullet must be sufficiently heavy and fast. The resulting impulse when firing, however, also has an effect on the firing weapon. Classic anti-tank rifles are therefore only physically limited. In the case of the Boys rifle, the recoil was mitigated by a muzzle brake . In addition, the barrel and lock were able to slide back about 25 millimeters before they were stopped by a strong buffer spring. Still, the weapon was difficult to control. In addition, weapons of this type could not keep up with the rapid progress of armored vehicles and were increasingly used as large-caliber precision rifles over long distances. The penetration rate was 20 mm at a distance of 100 yards . A later developed cartridge with a tungsten bullet was intended to at least partially increase the penetration, but was no longer used. In total, more than 80,000 copies were made until the Boys was ousted by grenade anti-tank weapons such as the PIAT in 1943 . The anti-tank rifle was also used as main armament in the Marmon-Herrington Mk. II reconnaissance vehicle , in the Humber LRC and in the Standard Beaverette .

Web links

Commons : Boys anti-tank rifle  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files