Charlton automatic rifle
| Charlton automatic rifle | |
|---|---|
 Charlton's automatic rifle at the Vaiora Army Museum in New Zealand. | |
| Type of | self-loading rifle / light machine gun |
| A country | New Zealand |
| Service History | |
| Years of operation | 1942–1945 |
| Adopted | |
| In service | New Zealand |
| Wars and conflicts | |
| Production history | |
| Constructor | Philip Charlton |
| Designed by | 1941 |
| Years of production | 1942–1945 |
| Options | Electrolux SMLE Model |
| Specifications | |
| Weight kg | 16 lb (7.3 kg), unloaded |
| Length mm | 44.5 in (1150 mm) |
| Cartridge | .303 British |
| Caliber mm | 0.3125 inch (7.938 mm) |
| Work principles | Butterfly valve |
| Rate of fire rounds / min | 600 |
| starting speed bullets , m / s | 744 (2,440 ft / s) |
| Sighting range , m | 1,000 yards (910 m) |
| Maximum range, m | 2,000 yards (1830 m) |
| Type of ammunition | box magazine for 10/30 rounds |
| Aim | Sliding ramp rear sights, fixed post front sights |
Content
History
A number of old copies of Lee-Metford and Lee-Anfield were converted into experimental self-loading rifles , for example, according to the Howell project or the Ryder project ( South African Union , 1940). The more famous is the design of an automatic rifle proposed by a New Zealand engineer Philip Charlton [1] .
During World War II, most of the New Zealand units operated away from their homeland, in northern Africa. Japan's entry into the war posed a threat to the islands and discovered a shortage of machine guns for local defense. The lack of machine guns " Bren " forced to look for ways to convert old weapons into automatic. Since 1942, more than 1,500 units were manufactured for the New Zealand government [2] , made, in particular, from Lee-Metford rifles.
Remaining Copies
About 1,500 Charlton rifles were produced in New Zealand, and almost all of them were destroyed in an accidental fire at the Palmerston Nord warehouse shortly after the end of World War II.
A small number of converted rifles are preserved in museums and private collections.
A Charlton automatic rifle (model with a handle), made in New Zealand, exists at the Imperial War Museum in London - another is on display at the Vaiora Army Museum in New Zealand, and the other at the Army Museum in Bandian, Australia.
Notes
- ↑ Special Service Lee Enfields: Commando and Auto Models by Ian Skennerton. Published by Ian D Skennerton, PO Box 80, Labrador 4215, Australia, 2001. ISBN 0-949749-37-0 .
- ↑ Skennerton (2007), pp. 37-38
See also
- Huot Automatic Rifle