Boys Anti-Tank Rifle: Mk I and Mk I* Improvements

The British Boys Anti-Tank Rifle, chambered in .55 Boys, was a formidable WWII weapon with a 950-grain bullet achieving 2,500 fps and over 13,000 ft-lbs of energy. Despite its power, capable of penetrating 20-25mm of steel and Level 3+ body armor, it was notorious for its punishing recoil, earning it the nickname 'Collarbone Breaker'. Its rarity is compounded by conversions to .50 BMG, making original ammunition and rifles scarce.

The Boys Anti-Tank Rifle, a .55 caliber bolt-action rifle, was developed by the British between the World Wars. Initially intended to counter early tanks, its effectiveness diminished as armor improved. The rifle's role shifted to anti-materiel, and it was famously used by US Marines, including during the Makin Raid. Soldier confidence was boosted by propaganda films, and many civilian-owned examples are now re-chambered in .50 BMG.

The Boys Anti-Tank Rifle, designed by Captain H.C. Boys, was a formidable bolt-action rifle chambered in .55 caliber, effective against early WWII tanks. Despite its recoiling action for recoil absorption, it was notoriously unpleasant to fire. Its design featured a massive bolt, a unique stock with an oiler, and a distinctive muzzle brake, later upgraded. Classified as a 'Destructive Device' under the NFA due to its caliber, it remains a transferable item.

This video delves into the history and features of the Inglis Boys Mk I* Anti-Tank Rifle. Despite being largely obsolete upon its 1937 introduction, the rifle saw service with British and American forces in WWII, particularly against thinner-armored Japanese tanks in the Pacific. The description highlights its massive size (35 lbs, 5'2"), its .55 Boys caliber with a steel-core bullet capable of piercing .91" of armor, a 5-round detachable magazine, muzzle brake, and bipod. It also touches upon post-war imports and conversions to .50 BMG. The video references a range test by Forgotten Weapons.

Anti-tank rifles were not sniper rifles due to significant disadvantages in weight, logistics, ammunition consistency, and barrel life. While powerful, their armor-piercing rounds lacked the precision of match-grade sniper ammunition. Furthermore, their extreme recoil and rapid barrel erosion made them unsuitable for sustained, accurate long-range shooting, despite rare exceptions like Carlos Hathcock's record shot.

The PIAT, a British spigot mortar, was developed as an infantry anti-tank solution when the Boys rifle became obsolete. It utilized a powerful spring and blank cartridge for propulsion, firing a hollow-charge round capable of penetrating 3-4 inches of armor. Despite its difficult cocking mechanism and short effective range, its lack of backblast made it effective for concealed firing.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

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This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.