page_title: Boys anti-tank rifle
hierarchical_section_title: Boys anti-tank rifle
caption_attribution_description: English: Soldier of The Rifle Brigade prepares to fire a 0.55 inch Boys Anti-tank Rifle during a military exercise.
context_page_description: The Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55in, Boys, commonly known as the "Boys Anti-tank Rifle", was a British anti-tank rifle in use during the Second World War. It was often nicknamed the "elephant gun" by its users due to its size and large bore.
  There were three main versions of the Boys: an early model which had a circular muzzle brake and T-shaped monopod, built primarily at BSA in England; a later model built primarily at the John Inglis and Company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that had a square muzzle brake and a V shaped bipod; and a third model made for airborne forces with a 30-inch barrel and no muzzle brake. There were also different cartridges, with a later version offering better penetration.
  Although adequate against light tanks and tankettes in the early part of the war, the Boys was ineffective against heavier armour and was phased out in favour of the hollow charge weapon PIAT mid-war.
context_section_description: The Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55in, Boys, commonly known as the "Boys Anti-tank Rifle" (or incorrectly "Boyes"), was a British anti-tank rifle in use during the Second World War. It was often nicknamed the "elephant gun" by its users due to its size and large bore.
  There were three main versions of the Boys: an early model (Mark I) which had a circular muzzle brake and T-shaped monopod, built primarily at BSA in England; a later model (Mk I*) built primarily at the John Inglis and Company in Toronto, Ontario, 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 and tankettes in the early part of the war, the Boys was ineffective against heavier armour and was phased out in favour of the hollow charge weapon PIAT mid-war.
caption: Training
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