Boys anti-tank rifle

Boys anti-tank rifle
Boys anti-tank rifle Mk I
Type	Anti-tank rifle
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1937–1998
Used by	See Users
Wars	Second Sino-Japanese War[1] Winter War World War II Greco–Italian War Continuation War Hukbalahap Rebellion[1] Greek Civil War 1948 Arab–Israeli War[2] Malayan Emergency[3] Korean War[1] The Troubles[4]
Production history
Designed	1937
Manufacturer	Royal Small Arms Factory
Produced	1937–1940
No. built	~62,000
Variants	Mk I, Mk I*, Mk II
Specifications
Mass	35 lb (16 kg) unloaded
Length	5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
Barrel length	36 in. (910 mm); Airborne: 30 in. (762 mm)
Cartridge	.55 Boys (Kynoch & RG)
Calibre	0.55 in (14 mm)[5]
Action	Bolt-action rifle
Rate of fire	~10 round/min
Muzzle velocity	Mk I: 747 m/s (2,450 ft/s) Mk II: 884 m/s (2,900 ft/s)
Effective firing range	100 yards (91 m): 23.2mm penetration at 90° [6] 500 yards (460 m): 18.8mm penetration at 90° [6]
Feed system	5-round detachable box magazine

The Boys anti-tank rifle (officially Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55in, Boys, and sometimes incorrectly spelled "Boyes") is a British anti-tank rifle used during the Second World War. It was often nicknamed the "elephant gun" by its users due to its size and large 0.55 in (14 mm) bore.^[7]

There were three main versions of the Boys: an early model (Mark I) which had a circular muzzle brake and T-shaped monopod, built primarily at BSA in England; a later model (Mk I*) built primarily at the John Inglis and Company in Toronto, Canada, that had a rectangular muzzle brake and a V-shaped bipod; and a third model made for airborne forces with a 30-inch (762 mm) barrel and no muzzle brake. There were also different cartridges, with a later version offering better penetration.^{[citation needed]}

Although adequate against light tanks and tankettes in the early part of the war, the Boys was ineffective against heavier armour and was phased out in favour of the PIAT hollow charge weapon mid-war.