URL : https://www.valka.cz/GBR-Boys-Anti-tank-Rifle-Mark-I-protitankova-puska-t28444#540550
Version : 0
The Boys Anti-tank Rifle was introduced into service in November 1937 under the name Stanchion. After the untimely death of its designer, Captain H.C. Boys, who died just days after its introduction into armament, it was renamed Boys in his honour. There were three main versions of this anti-tank rifle. The original model, referred to as the Mark I, was manufactured primarily by the English company Royal Small Arms Factory. It was characterized by a round muzzle brake and an inverted T-shaped bolster. A later model, designated the Mk I*, was manufactured primarily by the Canadian firm of Jonathan Inglis in Toronto. It differed from the original version by having a U-shaped bipod and a square stretch brake. The third model, produced for airborne troops, had a shorter barrel (762 mm) and was not equipped with an air-brake.
At the time of its creation, the weapon was primarily intended for tank combat and, given the thickness of the armour of tanks of the time, it was fully sufficient for this task. The .55 Boys Mark I cartridge pierced 16 mm armour at 100 yards (90 m) on a perpendicular impact, and thus at the beginning of World War II was able to shoot through the armour of German light tanks Pz.Kpfw I and Pz.Kpfw II respectively without much difficulty. With the advent of medium and heavy tanks, however, its role as an anti-tank vehicle came to an end. However, it was successfully used as a means of combat against armoured cars, armored gun emplacements or bunkers until the end of the war. With the Mark II round, for example, it shot through a 36 cm thick brick wall or a 25 cm thick sandbag.
Several hundred Boys rifles were supplied by the British in 1940 to the Finns defending themselves against Soviet attack. The rifle was well regarded by the Finnish soldiers, as it easily shot through the armor of most Soviet tanks and armored cars. The rifle was also used successfully in combat in the Pacific theatre against lightly armoured Japanese tanks, or in defeating their strongpoints. In all, more than 60,000 examples of this rifle were produced.
Technically, the Boys rifle was a repeating weapon with a cylindrical slide, into which cartridges were inserted from a 5-round magazine located on the top of the breech housing. Open sights with a dioptric sight offset to the left (due to the top-mounted magazine) were used to sight the weapon. The strong recoil caused by the powerful cartridge helped to dampen the round muzzle brake, replaced from the Mk. I* by a rectangular brake with five holes in the sides. This was much more effective in dampening recoil, but if the rifle was placed on the ground while firing, the gas discharge would hit the shooter's face along with dirt and dust. Due to the heavy weight of the gun, it was usually mounted on a variety of vehicles, most commonly armored personnel carriers Universal Carrier.
A certain number of rifles were captured by the German Wehrmacht at Dunkirk and incorporated into their armament under the designation 13.9 mm Panzerbüchse 782(e).
Boys Mk.I*, všimnite si iný tvar oporných nožičiek
Boys Mk.I*, nový typ úsťovej brzdy
URL : https://www.valka.cz/GBR-Boys-Anti-tank-Rifle-Mark-I-protitankova-puska-t28444#540571
Version : 0
Reklama
This post has not been translated to English yet. Please use the TRANSLATE button above to see machine translation of this post.
Rozborka Boys Mk.I
URL : https://www.valka.cz/GBR-Boys-Anti-tank-Rifle-Mark-I-protitankova-puska-t28444#140209
Version : 0
Join us
We believe that there are people with different interests and experiences who could contribute their knowledge and ideas. If you love military history and have experience in historical research, writing articles, editing text, moderating, creating images, graphics or videos, or simply have a desire to contribute to our unique system, you can join us and help us create content that will be interesting and beneficial to other readers.