It became evident in World War I that tanks were going to be a
big problem. It was decided that "Anti Tank Guns" were needed to
stop the big metal monsters. The first anti-tank cartridge was the 13.2x92mm for the Mauser style bolt action, Abwehr Gewehr M1918 Rifle, during World War I.
The 55 Boys "Anti Tank" Rifle was developed by the Assistant Superintendent of Design for the British Small Arms Committee, Captain H.C. Boys, and was named in his honor after he died in 1937, just before the rifle was put into service for the United kingdom.
It became obvious in the early part of World War II that the
"Anti-Tank" rifle era was going to be short lived, due to the weight
and manpower needed to use it on the battlefield. As soon as World
War II was underway "Anti-Tank" rifles were replaced with rocket powered devices.
I believe this is the largest "belted" cartridge that was ever produced;
if I am wrong please let me know. Only made by Kynoch and RG
(Royal Ordnance) the .55 Boys or 13.9x99mm is a huge cartridge with a
(over 900 grain) steel armor piecing projectile that can penetrate up to
3/4 inch (20 mm) of armour plate steel at 100 yards. Long Obsolete. |
