British .280 battle rifle

[Nightstalker]

Interesting video, Brits testing a new battle rifle in .280. It looks like what a FAL/TAVOR baby would look like . Looks to be way ahead of its time in 1950. However the US rejected the cartridge considering it to be too weak and went with the 7.62x51 M14, but years later adopted the 5.56 round which is almost similar. But I still like that rifle

 

[cyclone]

Be sure to watch the series Forgotten Weapons is doing in anticipation on the book on British bullpups; also, I think Ian actually shot one of the two EM-2 rifles remaining in existence...

 

[BattleRife]

Your first exposure to the EM2? They certainly must have turned heads at the time, one wonders if they would have worked well or just ended up as the L85A1, 30 years earlier.

 

[BattleRife]

...I think Ian actually shot one of the two EM-2 rifles remaining in existence...

That doesn't sound right, why would there be only two left? I haven't shot one, but I have held one, if the experience is that rare, I will be sure to feel special...

 

[Nightstalker]

Your first exposure to the EM2? They certainly must have turned heads at the time, one wonders if they would have worked well or just ended up as the L85A1, 30 years earlier.

Never heard of one till I saw this video. Wonder if any of the Boffins still had the idea of the design and then went on to design the L85AI ?

 

[Suther]

That doesn't sound right, why would there be only two left? I haven't shot one, but I have held one, if the experience is that rare, I will be sure to feel special...

Was the EM-2 ever fielded? It was apparently adopted, but did they ever ramp up production or anything? If they did, it seems unlikely only two would have survived?

 

[lerch641]

Was the EM-2 ever fielded? It was apparently adopted, but did they ever ramp up production or anything? If they did, it seems unlikely only two would have survived?

They were fielded for trials before adoption, but I believe they were unadopted quickly enough that Enfield never got a chance to churn out numbers.

 

[sail32]

I came across this article while looking for information on the FN .280 rifle.

Extremely Early Bullpups: Canada’s Contribution to the EM-2

https://calibremag.ca/the-worlds-first-bullpup-canadas-contribution-to-the-em-2/

https://www.forgottenweapons.com/photos-of-1950s-light-rifle-prototypes/

 

[rhino62]

If you want to know the history of the EM-2, The following book details the development of the EM1 and EM2 along with the 280 cartridge.
They where also manufactured in Canada by Arsenals ltd in the compromise 7 mm x 51 cartridge - serial No's 1-10

EM-2 Concept & Design - a rifle ahead of its time - by Thomas B Dugelby
Collector Grade Publications

 

[c1a1]

I had an opportunity to buy one in 1976. Serial number was 13. Price was $750, a lot of cash in those days.

 

[guess_kto]

Calibre magazine had a good article about this rifle with nice quality pictures. If you are not getting that magazine, perhaps it is time for you to sign up with CSSA and support the cause.

 

[Robbs]

I had an opportunity to buy one in 1976. Serial number was 13. Price was $750, a lot of cash in those days.

That happened a lot.