De Lisle Carbine
Sterling Armaments Company · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1943
Also known as: De Lisle Commando Carbine, De Lisle Silent Carbine
Overview
The De Lisle carbine is a British bolt-action integrally suppressed carbine developed during World War II for commando and special-forces raids. Built on a modified Lee-Enfield SMLE action rebarrelled for the subsonic .45 ACP pistol cartridge and fed from adapted M1911 magazines, its large integral suppressor makes it one of the quietest firearms ever produced. Only around 130 were built, seeing clandestine use with British Commandos and the Special Operations Executive.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3740 g (131.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 902 mm (35.51") |
| Barrel Length | 210 mm (8.27") |
| Width | 51 mm (2.01") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 253 m/s (830 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 477 J (352 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 185 m (202 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 365 m (399 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 20 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45 ACP · primary — also known as .45 Auto, 45 ACP, 11.43x23mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Integral Suppressor, Subsonic Ammunition, Modified Lee Enfield Action, Modified M1911 Magazine
Variants
- De Lisle Commando Carbine (Airborne) - Folding Stock Prototype
Service history
Operators
- British Commandos · adopted 1943
- Special Operations Executive · adopted 1943
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Malayan Emergency (1948-1960)
Production
Estimated total produced: 130 · Production years: 1943-1945
About 17 prototypes by Ford at Dagenham plus roughly 129 by Sterling Armaments; exact totals vary between sources
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: William Godfray de Lisle
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
Roughly 17 prototypes were built by the Ford Motor Company at Dagenham; the bulk of production (about 129 examples) was completed by the Sterling Armaments Company. A folding-stock 'Airborne' variant was prototyped for paratroop use but not mass-produced.
Background
So quiet that the loudest sound was the firing pin striking the primer, the De Lisle registered around 85 dB on test - quieter than many modern suppressed rimfires - letting commandos take out sentries without alerting nearby troops.