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boys anti tank rifle

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 4:36 pm
by paul.mercer
Gentlemen,
Does anyone know anything about the Boys Anti-Tank rifle?
I believe it was of .55 calibre and packed a mighty kick to those firing it, but what sort of tank would it be used against, as I cannot believe it would do much more than scratch the paintwork of a Panzer or Tiger and how would it compare against a modern .50 cal rifle?

Re: boys anti tank rifle

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 3:55 pm
by marcelo_malara
Hi Paul, it was created in WWI, when the tanks had far less armour than in WWII, would be useless against a WWII tank.

Regards

Re: boys anti tank rifle

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 4:38 pm
by wadinga
Hello All,

All you could wish to know is here starting with its development in 1934.
Between the two World Wars, early in the 1932, a requirement was perceived for an up-to-date British anti-tank rifle, and design work was initiated in 1934, with trialling early in 1936 and first issue in the following year.
https://www.rifleman.org.uk/Enfield_Boy ... _Rifle.htm

including its use to sink a German midget submarine and against Japanese flying boats!

There weren't any Tigers or Panthers when it was designed, early panzers were tinclad by comparison.
how would it compare against a modern .50 cal rifle?
It appears from this site it was the origin of the long range 0.50 calibre thousand yard sniping rifle.

All the best

wadinga

Re: boys anti tank rifle

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2019 9:52 am
by paul.mercer
Thanks very much for that Wadinga, the article was very interesting, particularly about the recoil
One statement says, "We had an anti-tank rifle which temporarily incapacitated the firer after every round" Another said, " In an anti-tank rifle report on the 'Boys' it acquired the unsubstantiated name of 'Charlie the Bastard' due to it's painful recoil"
At around 34 pounds I would imagine it was not a particularly popular item to have to carry around!
Thanks again for the info.