Boys antitank rifle mount for T-16

Bert Sobers · #1 04-12-12, 18:22

I am searching for information on the type of mount used for the MK 1 Boys Antitank Rifle on the T-16. I have seen photos of it located in the lower port on the left front side of the vehicle but detailed information on the type of mount has not been found. I suspect that it was not "hard" mounted in a fixed pintle but used some type of recoil absorbing mechanism in addition to the internal buffer in the weapon. Thank you.

horsa · #2 04-12-12, 22:51

Shots attached of the original Boys A/T rifle mounts which were only included on very early production vehicles. Don't know if any of them ever went to the UK or not since the British had changed over to the PIAT by the time the T-16 started shipping. The Boys mounts shown are the same as you'll see in the wartime manuals for the gunner's "ready" position. There would have also been a pair of mounts over the engine compartment for transit purposes.

Bert Sobers · #3 05-12-12, 01:26

David: Thank you for your prompt and informative reply. It seems that it would not be too difficult to fabricate a copy. It appears that the cradle swivels on the axis and uses the gunner's shoulder as the second buffer. Is there a stop to limit rotation of the cradle? I am unable to ascertain the finer aspects of the design. If you have additional photos, it would be a great help. As to use, I wish to return my vehicle to one of the Canadian configurations used on D-Day; some of which carried the Boys. Again, thanks.

horsa · #4 05-12-12, 04:21

That's the only two shots I have of the early pattern Boys mounts. If you're building your carrier to represent Canada during Normandy, you'd need to set up as a 4.2-inch mortar platoon. They were the only unit that landed from what we've researched and they were set up with PIATs for A/T purposes.

Each of the Canadian infantry divisions had one T-16 carrier platoon.

Shots of examples of the Canadian 4.2-inch mortar platoon carriers that were originally sourced from Clive. Nigel's carrier book volume 2 has some additional shots.

"Capital Soldiers" by Reynolds also has some of the technical details of how the carriers were employed at Normandy as it is the history of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa and they had them.

sapper740 · #5 05-12-12, 16:54

Dave, there's a couple of good pics of a Boys ATR mounted in a UC on page 100 of your REVISED AND EXPANDED version of WEAPONS OF THE WWII TOMMY.
Also, PM me if either of you are looking for a Boys Mk I, a 4.2" mortar round, or 19 Set to finish off your carriers.

CHIMO!

Derek.

horsa · #6 05-12-12, 17:06

Hey Derek,

I think the early UCs having the Boys mounts is why the Ford engineers had them included with the original design of the T-16. The British tore them out and replaced the front swivel with a fixed wooded block that served as a generic weapon firing rest. And they then added new forward mounts to hold a PIAT since the Boys was being phased out for regular army use.

The photos in my book with the Boys rifle are all regular carriers but none really show the mounts clearly. Also not sure it they are different from the mounts I posted earlier in the thread which are in a 1943 production T-16.

Didn't know you had a Boys rifle. I traded my live one off to Rod in Arizona when I got my carrier. Is yours still live and if so, .50 or .55 caliber? Brennon here in Austin has talked about getting one so you might have an easy regional sale.

sapper740 · #7 05-12-12, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsa

Hey Derek,

I think the early UCs having the Boys mounts is why the Ford engineers had them included with the original design of the T-16. The British tore them out and replaced the front swivel with a fixed wooded block that served as a generic weapon firing rest. And they then added new forward mounts to hold a PIAT since the Boys was being phased out for regular army use.

The photos in my book with the Boys rifle are all regular carriers but none really show the mounts clearly. Also not sure it they are different from the mounts I posted earlier in the thread which are in a 1943 production T-16.

Didn't know you had a Boys rifle. I traded my live one off to Rod in Arizona when I got my carrier. Is yours still live and if so, .50 or .55 caliber? Brennon here in Austin has talked about getting one so you might have an easy regional sale.

I've had the Boys for a couple of years now, it was part of the deal when I sold my CMP. I like it and use it both on the range and in reenactments but I recently sold my M37B1 and I'm going through vehicle-withdrawal

I'm open to a cash deal or a swap for a running MB/GPW, M38, M38A1, or M151. I'm also looking for a SCAR 17S.

CHIMO!

Derek.

horsa · #8 05-12-12, 17:37

I'll tell Brennon it's available and he can get with you on it direct.

sapper740 · #9 05-12-12, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsa

I'll tell Brennon it's available and he can get with you on it direct.

10-4 Tell him to call me at (940) 206-5871

Michael R. · #10 06-12-12, 01:48

I would enjoy seeing a photo of a T-16 mounting a Boys rifle going into NW Europe '44-'45.

The Boys Anti-tank rifle in the Canadian (C31UCW) Mk. II* Welsh Stowage from the 1943 production is not uncommon in factory images showing stowage.
I do not have any showing the Boys in a Carrier in NW Europe '44-'45.

cletrac (RIP) · #11 06-12-12, 02:29

I thought the Boyes were phased out of European service in the Italian campaign, but were kept on in Asia against the weaker Japanese armour. The Americans even used them on the Pacific islands. I guess if you shot at soldiers taking cover in the rocks the spall would do a number on them. I also have a pic somewhere of a Kiwi using one for crocodile control in New Guinea. That sounds like fun!

Michael R. · #12 04-07-15, 21:39

All this time Nigel had publish an image of the Boys ATR in a British unit MK-III carrier in Germany. Nigel Watson, Universal Carriers, Volume II.