Howell Automatic Rifle
Birmingham Small Arms Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1915
Also known as: BSA-Howell, Howell Self-Loading Rifle, M1915 Howell
Overview
The Howell Automatic Rifle is a British gas-operated, self-loading rifle created by converting the standard Lee-Enfield SMLE bolt-action rifle into a semi-automatic weapon. Developed around 1915 by Captain H. W. Howell, the design tapped propellant gas through a piston bolted to the right side of the barrel, which drove a contoured rear cam to cycle a modified SMLE bolt. It was one of the earliest British attempts at a practical semi-automatic infantry rifle and was chambered in .303 British, fed from 20-round detachable box magazines.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4309 g (152.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1130 mm (44.49") |
| Barrel Length | 640 mm (25.20") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 744 m/s (2441 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3120 J (2301 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2700 m (2953 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Left Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .303 British · primary — also known as .303 Mk VII, 7.7x56mmR, .303 Enfield
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Smle Conversion, Side Mounted Gas Piston, Rear Cam Bolt Cycling, Iron Sights
Service history
Operators
- British Home Guard · adopted 1940
- Royal Air Force · adopted 1940
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1915-1941
Only a small number of prototype and conversion examples were ever built; never mass-produced or adopted as a standard service rifle.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Captain H. W. Howell
Discontinued: 1941
Notes
The right-side gas piston reciprocated violently and interfered with the firer's handling, which contributed to the design never being adopted as a standard service rifle. Surviving examples are exceedingly rare.
Background
During the invasion-scare years of 1940-41, surviving Howell rifles were pressed into Home Guard service as improvised anti-aircraft weapons against low-flying German aircraft, the gun's punishing recoiling gas piston earning it a reputation for being almost as dangerous to the firer's hand as to the enemy.