Unidentified Weapon

L

lazysod

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Hey everyone, found a picture of my grandfather training men at Petawawa in the mid to early 40's. Does anyone know what kind of gun this is in the picture? IF so, any chance I can find someone to fire one? I would love to! Thanks for your help. BTW the picture is a little fuzzy and I can get a clearer one, I just thought some of you experts would know.


http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r526/lazysod303/Photoon12-09-30at721PM.jpg
 
Thanks geoff and desporterizer. Now down to a little brass tax (pun intended) Any chance of firing one of these things in Canada? Does anyone have one? I would just like to shoot one once, just for the experience.
 
It is indeed a Boys anti-tank rifle but I'm not sure of the exact version. The chambering is actually .55 Boys (13.9x99mmB) but some were later converted to .50 BMG. They were made by BSA in England or Inglis here in Canada. If I remember correctly they have a couple examples at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa...to look at only! They are de-activated just like every other firearm in that place.
 
The reason I would like to fire one is simply to experience a TINY bit of what my grandfather did. It would really be an honour if someone graciously gave me a chance to do so. I doubt there are any here in Manitoba.
 
lazysod said:
The reason I would like to fire one is simply to experience a TINY bit of what my grandfather did. It would really be an honour if someone graciously gave me a chance to do so. I doubt there are any here in Manitoba.[/QUOTE]

Boyes (correct spelling) .55 calibre anti-tank rifle Mark II. And don't be to doubtful of any here in Manitoba! Where do you live?

.
.CORRECTION.

.As pointed out, I stand corrected on the name. It should be "BOYS". .
.
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buffdog said:
lazysod said:
The reason I would like to fire one is simply to experience a TINY bit of what my grandfather did. It would really be an honour if someone graciously gave me a chance to do so. I doubt there are any here in Manitoba.[/
Click to expand...

Boyes (correct spelling) .55 calibre anti-tank rifle Mark II. And don't be to doubtful of any here in Manitoba! Where do you live?
.
Click to expand...

I believe that is incorrect as the round was named after the guy that developed it...Captain H.C. Boys.
 
There is one about halfway between LAZYSOD and BUFFDOG which gets used on occasion.

LAZYSOD should get out of the city and to some of the matches at Virden and Shilo.

You NEVER know what's going to pop up.
 
VLT79 said:
I believe that is incorrect as the round was named after the guy that developed it...Captain H.C. Boys.
Click to expand...

Absolutely right. The correct spelling is indeed "Boys".

The round was originally developed in 1934 as a .50 calibre and the rifle was known as the ".5 inch Stanchion", and Capt. Boys was on the Design Department team at Enfield. He died in late 1935 and in December it was decided to rename the rifle in his honour. Due to less than acceptable armour penetration the calibre was increased to .55 inch in 1936.

regards
TonyE
 
What generally is not mentioned is that opening up the .50 casing to a .55 (with a .562" slug) enabled the Boys Rifle to put out 44% MORE power than a .50 BMG.... and do it at lower pressure.

It passes the .50 BMG AP 100-yard test..... at 500 yards. Nothing to sneeze at.

It is TRULY a Monster!
 
TonyE said:
Absolutely right. The correct spelling is indeed "Boys".

The round was originally developed in 1934 as a .50 calibre and the rifle was known as the ".5 inch Stanchion", and Capt. Boys was on the Design Department team at Enfield. He died in late 1935 and in December it was decided to rename the rifle in his honour. Due to less than acceptable armour penetration the calibre was increased to .55 inch in 1936.

regards
TonyE
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I stand corrected on the Name. I was going on a "google" that gives the spelling as "Boyes".

Shown is the Mark II Boys with the slimmer muzzle brake and the bipod. The Mark I Boys is easily recognizable by the monopod, and the large round muzzle brake on the end of the barrel.

If anyone is interested, there is a video on Youtube, made in Canada during WWII, called "Stop that Tank". It shows the operation of the Boys, however it is labeled "Boyes" when you Google it. If you "google" the words "Boyes anti tank rifle" several references will show up, scroll down to "videos" and there are some 1944 Canadian Military instruction videos.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq3psVj3LI4&feature=player_embedded
.
 
smellie said:
There is one about halfway between LAZYSOD and BUFFDOG which gets used on occasion.

LAZYSOD should get out of the city and to some of the matches at Virden and Shilo.

You NEVER know what's going to pop up.
Click to expand...


.
HORRORS. I do believe SMELLIE is mistaken. The last pictures I saw, there were actually TWO of them.
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Laugh2
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Hey I'm in the 'peg.
I'll help you find some ammo if you let me shoot it!!! :yingyang:
It's a non-restricted rifle, we can go to the pits.
 
lazysod said:
The reason I would like to fire one is simply to experience a TINY bit of what my grandfather did. It would really be an honour if someone graciously gave me a chance to do so. I doubt there are any here in Manitoba.
Click to expand...

I would not be surprised if John Hipwell of Wolverine supplies has one, he is located in Virden, MAN
 
There are two that I know of in MB. I have one in .50 cal, and a friend just outside Winnipeg has one in .55 cal. According to that online registry from a number of years back, there is/was a third registered in MB in 55 cal as well, but where it is hiding is a mystery to me. With the registry gone, there could be more in MB, but there is not a whole lot of movement on these rather rare guns. I believe there was somewhere between 30 and 50 registered in Canada.

I was letting guys shoot mine at a gunnutz day at the E.Selkirk range a number of years back. It hasn't really been out since. The 50 BMG is really the way to go in order to have a reliable source of ammo. I doubt my friend would part with any of the few .55 rounds he has left. Before anyone starts about reloading, neither he or I reload, so it is a moot point.

I will let lazysod know if I ever bring it out to the range again near Winnipeg.

Here is a shot of the two rifles waiting there turn to shoot. This was at a battle of the bulge match a number of years back. They are accompanied by one of the russian 14.5s.
71d70r4.jpg
 
I fired one many years ago. Once was enough! pushed me back aboiut a foot!

Did remember a funny story about them The rifle has a flat muzzle brake with the holes going out horizontaly on each side. A fellow purchased one with the muzzle break not fitted. He ignored the washers in the transit case and simply screwed the brake all the way down on the barrel, This meant the holes on the brake were vertical instead of horizontal. He then proceeded to fire it on a gravel berm!:rolleyes:
You can guess what happened!
 
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