POTD: When They Say “Get The Boys” – The Boys Mark 1 Anti-Tank Rifle
Sam.S 06.06.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a powerhouse of a rifle. This is the Boys Mark I Anti-Tank Rifle. The British Boys AT Rifle developed in the 1930s, was a notable anti-tank weapon employed during World War II. It was a bolt-action rifle designed to fire the .55 Boys armor-piercing round. The weapon, weighing approximately 35 pounds, required a two-man crew to operate effectively. Despite its size and weight, the Boys AT Rifle played a significant role in the early stages of the war, particularly during the defense of Britain and in North Africa. However, its limited effectiveness against heavily armored tanks led to its eventual replacement by more advanced anti-tank weapons.
“Named for its designer, Captain Boys, the Boys Rifle was developed in the mid-1930s and was soon rendered obsolete for its original duty of tank hunting in the European Theater as developments in German armor left the proprietary 55 Boys cartridge behind. That said, the rifle was still put to good service through WWII, most famously by the Finns against the Soviets, as well as by the U.S. Marine Corps against the Japanese in the Pacific Theater, becoming one of the grandfathers of the modern “anti-material rifle” concept. Refitted with a 50 BMG chambered barrel in compliance with the National Firearms Act, this Boys is equipped with an early style disc-shaped muzzle brake, a hooded blade front sight, and a two-position peep rear sight. An assortment of British proofs are present, along with a set of American-style stamps on the receiver and barrel and “R.B.MkI” on the left side of the receiver. The barreled receiver is installed in a shock-absorbing rail frame stock, with an early pattern “T” bar bipod, a rear pistol grip with metal knuckle guard, hardwood cheekpiece, and a metal buttplate with integral oiler.”
Lot 2573: BSA Boys Mark I 50 BMG Anti-Tank Rifle w/Ammunition – Birmingham Small Arms Boys Mark One Bolt Action Anti-Tank Rifle, 50 BMG Conversion, with Ammunition, as Featured in Print and on Television by Bruce Canfield. (n.d.-t). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/72/2573/bsa-boys-mark-i-50-bmg-antitank-rifle-wammunition.
