The Boys Anti-Tank Rifle

The Boys was the Anti-Tank rifle used by the British Army and Commonwealth during the Second World War. Even at the beginning of the war tank armour had progressed past the Boys ability to penetrate it, in saying that the majority of German tanks in the first year which were of obsolete designs were vulnerable as were Italian tanks, by 1941 a replacement for the Boys was sought and eventually the Boys was replaced by the PIAT in 1943. The Boys was still used in the far east where it could deal with Japanese armour.

Several countries used the Boys Anti-Tank rifle during the war, a large number was sent to France and it was used to equip many Commonwealth countries.

The Boys fired a .55" AP round and was known for it's large recoil. There was at least 2 versions of the AP round fired by the Boys, the Mk II entering production around May 1940. 5 rounds were carried per magazine.

Boys Anti Tank Rifle characteristics

	Boys AT Rifle
Weight	36lb
Length	5'-4"
Calibre	.55
Magazine weight	2lb 7 oz

Boys Anti Tank Rifle performance

	Muzzle Velocity	Projectile Weight	Plate	Angle	100	200	400	600	800	1000
Mk I	2500	0.133
Mk II	2950	0.105lb	HH	0	22	20.8	18.5	16.4	14.4	12.4
Mk II	2950	0.105lb	HH	30	15	13.6	12.5	11.6	10.8	10.2

Production of Boys Anti Tank Rifles and ammunition by year (UK only)

	Pre War	Sep-Dec 1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945
Boys AT	11,161	4,201	13,827	7,313	22,319	6,225	-	-
.55" AP	1,970,000	1,398,000	3,284,000	5,027,000	10,787,000	6,710,00	-	-

Sources - AVIA 22 467-514,