Boys Anti-Tank Rifle

Boys Anti-Tank Rifle Mk I

The Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55in, Boys commonly known as the "Boys Anti-tank Rifle" was a British anti-tank rifle in use during World War II. The Boys is often incorrectly spelled "Boyes". There were three main versions of the Boys, an early model (Mark I) which had a circular muzzle brake and T shaped bipod, built primarily at BSA in England, a later model (Mk I*) built primarily at Jonathan Inglis in Toronto, Canada, that had a square 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. Although adequate against light tanks in the early part of the war, the Boys was ineffective against heavier armour and was phased out in favour of the PIAT mid-war.

Boys Anti-Tank Rifle in The War That Came Early

Although the French did not produce their own anti-tank rifle, during the Battle for France, the French acquired the British Boys bolt-action anti-tank rifle. Czechoslovak soldier, Vaclav Jezek managed to find a rifle of a dead French soldier, and was able to put it to good use, taking out Panzer I's, II's, and armoured cars. He later used it as a sniper rifle hitting targets as far out as between one and half to two km away.