Boys Anti Tank rifles for the Carriers

[kevin powles]

Hi Tim, I have an early 'T' monopod, on both guns, I was just going to poke it through the front hole, on a MK1 there is a special breech rest with rubber strap and another on the gun port at the front.

I am looking for the 'V' style rest, I have half of one but want to borrow one to copy, I believe it's this style of rest which is stored under the rear battery box on a mk1.

Kevin.

[Scrivo18]

Hmm

Had not thought of that..

Will have a look see next week..

[Ben]

There's a Boys mount listed in the parts book for the Scout, I suspect its similar to the later MK 1 style slot rest. It mounts on the four holes under the slot (different to later carriers) sadly it was removed before Phillip found it. It may even be missing from the 40's.

[rob love]

I have had a Boys rifle with the V type bipod and it does not fit into those mk1 clips either. I would be interested to see the mount Ben is talking about. It seems many of the brackets and stowage on the mk1s were throwbacks from the earlier versions.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Kevin, I'm assuming you've tried to fit your Boys into the back of your Mk.1 carrier. If so, how did it go? I tried mine and think it can only fit if you remove the monopod (which we already knew) and also the wooden cheek rest?

The fit in the front is perfect and the rear bracket looks like it was made to fit the carriage and cheekrest.

[kevin powles]

Bruce, I have not tried it in the back, the tank hunter does not have the fittings, I have all the fitting for the standard stowage carrier but have not mocked it up as yet, I would say the rifle must fit complete and I am sure I have seen an official picture with it stowed complete, regarding the mystery rear clips under the radio battery box, could this be for a mk 1 bren gun front support legs, the extendable type?.

I have received back two metal cast receivers which are being drilled and machined this week, hope to have one near ready for War and Peace., still looking for a front site if you can help.

[kevin powles]

I have two cast barrels available, not the prettiest castings but a starting point for a replica rifle, they are £20 each if anyone is interested.

Kevin.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I've got more checking to do. My first problem is that the felt at the front is so hard the muzzle doesn't want to slide all the way forward. If I guess where the butt would be if it did it doesn't appear it would sit nicely on the narrow bracket at the back. The monopod may swivel sideways and drop down beside the tool box. I'll play some more and report back.

Here's a closer pic of my receiver. I won't tell where the repairs are...

Originally Posted by kevin powles

Bruce, I have not tried it in the back, the tank hunter does not have the fittings, I have all the fitting for the standard stowage carrier but have not mocked it up as yet, I would say the rifle must fit complete and I am sure I have seen an official picture with it stowed complete, regarding the mystery rear clips under the radio battery box, could this be for a mk 1 bren gun front support legs, the extendable type?.

I have received back two metal cast receivers which are being drilled and machined this week, hope to have one near ready for War and Peace., still looking for a front site if you can help.

[jamesguld]

Originally Posted by kevin powles

Hi Tim, I have an early 'T' monopod, on both guns, I was just going to poke it through the front hole, on a MK1 there is a special breech rest with rubber strap and another on the gun port at the front.

I am looking for the 'V' style rest, I have half of one but want to borrow one to copy, I believe it's this style of rest which is stored under the rear battery box on a mk1.

Kevin.

I saw your pictures in the old post but was wondering what it looked like from the inside. Does the T style monopod stay on or is it removed ? I’m doing a model of an Aussie MKI at Tobruk. Thanks for any help.

[kevin powles]

Hi, I’ve not seen how they mounted the Boys upfront in any detail, I believe the early carriers had a special recoil mount. The Mk1 T monopod works well on the glacier plate or on a sand bag. If anyone has some pics in detail ?

Have a look at this thread

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...s+mount&page=6

Kevin

[Lynn Eades]

James, What do you mean by "an Aussie MkI?

[jamesguld]

Kevin,
That other thread seems to provide the mounting answer, well at least for some of the photos I've seen.

Lynn,
Sorry for the confusion. I'm doing an Australian manned carrier at Tobruk.

It appears that a number of different style of possible mounts could have been used.

[Lynn Eades]

James there was no mount in The MkI, U.C. that connected the Boys rifle to the carrier except in stowage. The Boys sat on the rubber rest of the gun slot in the U.C.
You can see the boys mono pod in your last photo.
BTW welcome to the forum.

[jamesguld]

Lynn,
Thanks for the welcome. I have been on a number of years but usually find what I need by just searching the old threads. Says a lot about how good the site is. I do wonder though about the mounting of the Boys. In the picture above of the UC captured by Italian troops, right behind the monopod mounting arm there is another "arm" of some sort supporting the gun and then in the last photo PO2522.007, it appears to have the inside gun mount on the outside and the monopod arm modified to fit into it. We would need someone with 1:1 to take measurements to see if that is possible or even how the inside mount works. I only have the Riich MKI kit to go by. My Carrier references are slim. What is the rubber mount you mention ?