For those looking for that "rare" enfield to add to their collection

[Lance]

If you have been good and saved your money for the next purchase, then:

EXTREMELY RARE BSA-HOWELL M1916 SELF-LOADING CONVERSION OF THE SMLE RIFLE.

*◊ EXTREMELY RARE BSA-HOWELL M1916 SELF-LOADING CONVERSION OF THE SMLE RIFLE.

SN 73698. Cal. .303 British. Extremely rare M1916 BSA Howell self-loading conversion of a standard SMLE #1 Mark III, chambered in .303 British. To increase firepower in the trenches of WWI, several concepts were floated to convert the iconic SMLE from bolt action to semi-automatic. Most of these weapons were hastily completed in base workshops. The Howell Automatic Rifle design was one of the first attempts, tapping gas from the barrel with a simple gas piston bolted onto the right side of the rifle which engaged an ingenious contoured cam at the rear to cycle a modified SMLE bolt. To protect the user, a crude stamped handguard and faceguard were added in addition to a stamped tubular pistol grip. The front and rear sights, stock, and trigger were also modified. The weapon was reasonably reliable in use, though firing, with the fully exposed operating cam and bolt mechanism was exciting, but it was heavy, unbalanced, the pistol grip and handguard were awkward and the cycling bolt interfered with handling and accuracy. The sights were modified with folding left-side extensions to both front and rear sights to allow the firer’s face to be held to one side to lessen the danger from the exposed reciprocating parts. Howells were though issued and used later, during WWII, mainly as an AA weapon for the Home Guard due to the shortages of weapons in 1940-41. Surviving examples are exceedingly rare, and usually only seen in the most advanced government collections. This Howell is all original, complete, and is one of the very few ever made available to private collectors. It is marked “BSA & Co.” on the right, Z 76398 on the receiver and modified rear sight, H 76718 on the muzzle while the bolt is marked 6223. The numeral “2″ is stamped in several places on the stock and handguard. British proofs appear on the metal components to include the receiver. Includes a standard ten-round magazine and a special twenty-round extended magazine original to the rifle. PROVENANCE: Ex-Visser collection, Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Overall good, serviceable condition. Mechanically fine, with tight, crisp mechanism. Finish shows an even, blue-gray patina on all metal components, Stock has numerous handling marks, light scratches, and a three inch repairable crack at bottom wrist. Bore is dark with strong lands and grooves but should clean up. Both magazines are in very good condition with edge wear only. 4-53192 DW4 (20,000-27,500)

Information

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[Warren]

THAT is just a small teaser of what Geoff had in the collection.
The ONLY time I lost my breath looking at a collection was looking at Geoff's collection before it left the UK and his rare stuff was not British.
It had come to the point that there was nothing left to find for him........If only

[25-5]

How wonderful to see and read about. Thanks.
A similar conception was tried on a couple of M1903 Springfield's. I think in 1906.

[Surpmil]

Yikes, what an abortion. "H. Robinson & R. Goldberg, Consulting Engineers."

I nominate this design for the the small arms Carbuncle Cup as it is indeed a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of much-loved and elegant friend"!

Doesn't compare well to the Huot automatic rifle either!

[Peter Laidler]

I don't ever recall seeing one of these monstrosities trialled or tested for the old War Department in any shape or form within the Ordnance Board minutes. Has anyone else?

I agree whole heartedly with Surpmill.

[Warren]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..................:-)##

[Ridolpho]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..................:-)##

True, Warren, but comare this with a Federov Model 1916 "Avtomat"! The modified SMLE is pure "steampunk".

Ridolpho

[Peter Laidler]

True Warren, again. But even the workmanship doesn't look particularly impressive. Only my take on things of course. Compare that with one of the BSA-Ainley rifles. Quite useless (?) but the workmanship is to Rolls Royce quality

[Roy]

Ive been wanting to make a steampunk enfield for some time on a welded up shortened MLE mk1* That contraption to operate the bolt handle is brilliantly clunky.

[Surpmil]

Attachment 56121Attachment 56119Attachment 56120

True Warren, again. But even the workmanship doesn't look particularly impressive. Only my take on things of course. Compare that with one of the BSA-Ainley rifles. Quite useless (?) but the workmanship is to Rolls Royce quality

Speaking of the Ainley rifles, where is the one with the Patt. 18 scope and mount these days?

The Small Arms Committee turned up their noses at Col. Acland's rifle and offer, but from what I read in Skennerton, that may just be what they told the Colonel. In late 1937 Acland contacts the War Office. In January 1938 Capt. Barlow goes to see Acland and his rifle and not long after...

In 1938, a special new sniper rifle was suggested built on the No.3 [Rifle]. This was to have a special high velocity cartridge and to be fitted with a German telescope [sight]....The special sniper rifle referred to above was the .276" experiment "Ainley Rifle"....Six of these were fabricated in the late 1930s by a design team headed by Capt. J. Ainley, at Enfield....The original specifications required a muzzle velocity of 3,700 ft/sec...problems were encountered with the cartridge development and the project was abandoned by 1940.

Not very cricket to give the Col. no credit, or was it just a coincidence that Col. Acland came calling with his rifle less than a year before the Ainley rifle appeared?

Why they wanted 3,700 ft. per second is anyone's guess - avenge the failure of the Patt.13?? It would have been such a flash and bang whoever used it in combat would only do so a few times.

What do the S.A.C. Minutes for later in 1938 say about the Ainley Rifle, anyone got copies?