#

..&.
SMALL ARMS

IDENTIFICATIONSER'ES

S P E C I ASLE R V I CLEE E - E N F I E L. D
OS'
C O M M A N D O& A U T OM O D E L S

.45 De Lisle CommandoCarbine,

Charlton, Howell & Rieder Rifles
and Howard FrancisCarbine
Notes & lllustrations

r.s.
s.A.
No. 13 Ian Skennerton
A . 4 5 D e L i s l eC a r b i n eG e n e a l o g y 5
. 4 5 D e L i s l eC a r b i n eS p e c i f i c a t i o n s 23
D e L i s l e P a t e n tS p e c i f i c a t i o n& D r a w i n g s 24
Lee-EnfielA
d u t o l o a d i n gC o n v e r s i o nG e n e a l o g y 30
S e l f - L o a d i n gR i f l e & C a r b i n eS p e c i f i c a t i o n s 35
C h a r l t o nS e l f - L o a d i n gR i f l e ,N . Z . 37
E l e c t r o l u xC h a r l t o nS e l f - L o a d i n gR i f l e 39
H o w e l l , R i e d e r& E k i n sS e l f - L o a d i n gR i f l e s 41
C o n t e m p o r a r yA u s t r a l i a nS . L . C o n v e r s i o n 43
7 . 6 5 m m H o w a r d F r a n c i sC a r b i n e 45
ldentification
& Markings 47
 IUillian GodfreyDe lisle at his
Rournemouthhomein 1980, with
prototype sappressed.22 rinfire
Rrowningautoloader.
lan Skennerton

0e lisle'sprototype.22Erowningautoloader,
engraved'DE llslE SIIENTAUT0.22CAIIBBE BIFTE ilL. t00t'
inscribedafterplansweremadefor.45 prodaction;theirnumbersstartedat 1002. llationatArny Museun
 . 4 5 D E L I S L EC O M M A N D OC A R B I N E

DE LISLE CARBINE GENEALOGY

B o r n i n S o u t h A f r i c a o n 2 9 t h M a y 1 9 0 5 , W i l l i a mG o d f r e yD e L i s l ec o m m e n c e ds c h o o l a t
K i n g sC o l l e g eS c h o o l ,W i m b l e d o n T . h e n h e a t t e n d e dL i n c o l ns c h o o lw h i c h h a d i n c o r p o r a t e d
t h e o l d L i n c o l n C a t h e d r a lG r a m m a r S c h o o l .S e c o n d a r ye d u c a t i o nw a s u n d e r t a k e na t
L o u g h b o r o u gC h o l l e g en, o w k n o w n a s t h e L o u g h b o r o u gU h n i v e r s i t ya, n d h e g r a d u a t e da f t e r
a 5 - y e a rc o u r s ei n M e c h a n i c a al n d E l e c t r i c aEl n g i n e e r i n gD. e L i s l ew a s t h e n e m p l o y e da s a
d e v e l o p m e net n g i n e e rw i t h S i e m a n sB r o s .a n d j o i n e dt h e A i r M i n i s t r yi n 1 9 3 5 . T h e A i r
M i n i s t r yl a t e r b e c a m et h e M i n i s t r yo f A i r P r o d u c t i o no r M . A . P .

D u r i n ga v i s i t b y t h e a u t h o rt o D e L i s l e ' sr e s i d e n c ea t B o u r n e m o u t hi n l a t e ' l 9 B OG , o d f r a yD e
L i s l e r e c a l l e dt h a t h i s f i r s t p r a c t i c a li n t e r e s ti n s i l e n c e rd e s i g n o c c u r r e d ' w h e n I w a s 76
years old, at school rn Lrncoln. lused to make up .22 rifle silencers for my school friends for
rabbit shootrng they were made from empty cocoa tins and were, with the lower velocity
.22, very effective. These thrngs were not illegal in those days, but the police learned what
I was dorng and asked me not to do any more and explarned the dangers from accidents
and particularly from crime if these thrngs got around. I never made up any more until the
last war, and then it was for a real purpose.'

D e L i s l e h a d a n a v i d i n t e r e s ti n f i r e a r m sa n d w a s w e l l a c q u a i n t e dw i t h m e m b e r s o f t h e
L o n d o ng u n t r a d e ; M a j o r H o l l a n d ,M a r k D i n e l y a , n d t h e W i l k e sB r o s .w h o h a d a g u n s h o pi n
B e a k S t . , S o h o .D e L r s l e ' sf i r s t p r o t o t y p es u p p r e s s e dr i f l e a t t h i s t i m e w a s a . 2 2 B r o w n i n g
'1943.
a u t o ' l o a d etrh a t h e s e t u p i n B e c k e n h a mi n 1 9 4 2 a n d The wood stockwas acquired
f r o m H o l l a n d sW , i l k e sa s s i s t e dw i t h t h e s t o c k i n g - u po f D e L r s l e ' s. 2 2 R F s u p p r e s s e dr r f l e ,

E a r l y 9 m m a n d . 4 5 p r o t o t y p e sw e r e f a b r i c a t e df r o m o l d m o v i e g u n s s u p p l i e db y M a r k
D i n e l yo f B a p t y ' s ,a l o n g e s t a b l i s h e dm o v i e g u n h i r e b u s i n e s s A . l l s e r v i c e a b l eL e e E n f i e l d s
h a d b e e n i m p r e s s e di n t o s e r v i c ed u r i n gt h e w a r ; n e w r i f l e sw e r e n o t a v a i l a b l eI .n t h e c o u r s e
o f i n r t r atle s t s ,s u p p r e s s e rdi f l e sw e r e ' f i e l dt e s t e d ' b y f i r i n ga t a l a r g eb r i c kc h i m n e yo n a
b u i l d i n ga c r o s st h e s t r e e t i n b r o a dd a y l i g h td u r i n gw o r k i n g h o u r s ,n e a r P i c c a d i l l yC i r c u si n
c e n t r a lL o n d o n .I n t h e c o l d w i n t e r w e a t h e r ,w i t h p e o p l es h u f f l i n go n f o o t p a t h sa n d a c r o s s
t h e s t r e e t ,n o b o d y l o o k e du p o r a r o u n da s t h e y w e r e u n a w a r eo f s h o t s b e r n gf i r e d . S o D e
L i s l ea n d t h e W i l k e sg u n s m i t h sk n e w t h a t t h e s u p p r e s s e d m u z z l er e p o r tw a s i m p e r c e p t i b l e .

T h e s ef i r e a r m si n c o r p o r a t e D d e L i s l e ' sp r i n c i p l e fso r ' s i l e n c i n g ' a f i r e a r m ,n r o r ef u l l y d e

s c r i b e dr n D e L i s l e ' sP a t e n tS p e c i f i c a t i o n sT.h e . 2 2 r i m l i r ee x p e r i m e n t ahl a s a b a r r e l e n g t h
o f a b o u t 7 . 5 - i n . ,e n c l o s e di n a n o u t e rc a s i n g T . h e m u z z l er s f l a r e di n t o a " G e r m a nn o z z l e "
s o a s t o i n d u c et h e g a s s e st o f o l l o w t h e c u r v e ;t h e b a f f l e sf o r m a s p r r a li n o r d e r t h a t t h e
L l d 5 5 e 5 tU- ^e ^L;;. r^r, L, t;^U+ r^ d t e o .

W . G . D e L i s l e ' sp e r s o n a .l 2 2 R F B r o w n i n gi s c o n s i d e r e d t h e f i r s t p r o t o t y p e ;i t a n d a S t e r l i n g
. 4 5 D e L i s l eC o m m a n d oC a r b i n ew e r e p u r c h a s e db y t h e a u t h o r i n 1 9 8 1 f r o m G o d f r a yD e
L i s l e ,a l o n g w i t h r e l a t e dr e c o r d sa n d m e m o r a b i l r aT. h e y w e r e e v e n t u a l l yp a s s e do n t o t h e
NationaA l rmy Museumin ChelseaL , o n d o n ,a s t h e r e w a s n o w a y u n d e r e x i s t i n gB r i t i s ho r
A u s t r a l i a nf i r e a r m sl a w s t h a t t h e s e i t e m s c o u l d b e h e l d o r o w n e d b y a n i n d r v r d u aclo l l e c t o r .

T h e o v e r a l l e n g t ho f t h i s e x p e r i m e n t acl a r b i n ei s 2 9 . 3 i n . , a n d t h e a c t i o n h a s b e e n s l i g h t l y
m o d i f i e db y t h e a d d i t i o no f w e r g h tt o t h e b r e e c hb l o c k f o r t h e p u r p o s eo f r e t a r d i n gt h e b o l t
o p e n r n g t; h i s c o n s i s t so f a n e n l a r g e dt h u m b g r i p o n t h e c o c k i n gp i e c e .T h i s p a r t i c u l a r i f l e
i s f i t t e d w i t h a G r e a t W a r v i n t a g es u r p l u sP e r i s c o p i Pc r i s mC o . t e l e s c o p r cs i g h t , s e t u p o n
"DE
o v e r h e a dm o u n t s . O n t h e l e f t s i d e o f t h e r e c e i v e ri s e n q r a v e d L I S L ES I L E N TA U T O " .
 5?9,169. Gua rilence,rg. LISLE, W. G. Dn. May 8, 1943, Nos. 3756 aud 7964.
[Class92 (ii)]
Iiolates to gun eiloncers of F rG . 2 .
the kind in which baffie plates t4, ,1
in the forrn of spiral discs 50
a.re arranged in a tubular
casing 14 specd eccontrically
round tho gun barrol 12 to
cause the gun gaaes to ewful
\ about a,n axis that is offset
X from the pa,th of the projectile
x
which passos through eccen-
\ tric perforations in tho plates,
o< According to the invontion,
the bafflo plates situated to-
wards tho front of tho casing
I havo each a, redial slit, the portions on adjacont 50 are supported on rods 40 and the peri-
t\
z eides of the slit, Fig. 4, being bent to lie at pheries ofthe discs aro rpaced frorri tho interior
hI opposito sides of tho gonoral plano of the disc. of the casing, the front flat disc 56 having
The ca"sing 14 extends rearwardly around tho holes providing front'openings at tho bottorn.
barrel to form a rearwardly-closed expansion Irr a modification ehown in Fig. 7, a front
chamber r between the muzzle and the gun group of spiral plates 50 is combined with a
A< receiver. To prevont the formation of a roar group of flat plates 72, 74, 76 and the
s partial vacuum at the gun muzzle, a rrauzzle intorior of the rear portion of the casing is
\ attachmont comprising a flared nozzlo 62 and providod with a liner in tho form of sound-
t\
R a rearwardly-extending ehiold 66 is provided, doadoning matorial 82 enclosed in a thin metallic
t
l\r
the shiold masking a numbor of gaa escapo shoath.
\ holos 70 formod in tho gun barrol. The discs

Oddly enough,the main field testing of this exercisein silencerdesign was in quietly
despatchingsmallgameon the BerkshireDowns.At this time, food rationingwas in opera-
tion and the game meat endedup on the De Lisledinnertable, a most welcomefare.

Anotherclosefriend of De Lislewas StanleyHand,a directorof the UnitedDevelopment

AssociatedPlasticsLtd. at the PlasticraftWorks, High Wycombeand Major Sir Malcolm
Campbellof CombinedOperationsHO had approached UDAPaboutthe possibilityof manu-
facturing plastic bullet-proofshields.This projectwas unsuccessfulbut in the courseof
conversationwith Campbell,Hand mentionedDe Lisle'ssilent rifle. Campbellexpressed
interestfor a militaryapplicationin covertoperationsand he requesteda meetingwith De
Lisle.Sir Malcolmand son Donaldlaterachievedinternational fame for successivelandand
water speedrecordswith their'Bluebird'machines.

Not long after meetingCampbell,De Lislebroughtthe carbineto Londonfor examination

and its likelyfirst, though albeitunofficial,test was beingfired from the Adelphibuilding
into the RiverThames.The low sound levelswere confirmedby the inattentionof those
passers-by on an otherwisenormalworkingday in London.The assembledpersonnelwere
quite impressedwith its performanceand Campbellrequesteda 9mm modelbe fabricated.
Principallybecauseof the 9 x 19mm cartridgeballistics,De Lisleadvisedagainstthis, but
as the 9mm roundwas alreadyin service,Campbellinsisted.

When Sir MalcolmCampbellfirst inquiredabout a militaryapplication,De Lislesuggested

the US .45 ACP round,but Campbellinsistedon gmm due to serviceavailability.Attempts
to reducebulletvelocitybelowthe speedof soundby drillingholesalongthe barrelresulted
in jacket shavingspeelingoff. De Lislealso consideredthe lighter,reducedvelocity9mm
had poor stoppingpower. Only one 9mm experimentalmodelwas reportedlyassembled;
De Lislesaidthat he carriedout the conversionat Bapty'sworkshop.A Remingtonsporting
rifle actionwas used but De Lisleconsideredthe projectunsuccessfulso it was scrapped.

After the demiseof the 9mm experimentalproject,De Lisleassembleda .45 versionat

Bapty'sLondonworkshops.The .45 A.C.P.roundwas sub-sonicand the heavierprojectile

6
 "knock-down power".
has better muzzle and residualenergies"or Upon completion of this
model, it was submitted to Campbellfor practicaltesting, from which it emerged success-
f u l l y . T h i s p a r t i c u l a rw e a p o n w a s e v e n t u a l l yp r e s e n t e db y D e L i s l et o M a r k D i n e l y f o r t h e
B a p t y f i r e a r m s c o l l e c t i o n .T e s t s w i t h t h i s , t h e f i r s t . 4 5 D e L i s l e s i l e n c e d c a r b i n e , w e r e
c o n d u c t e d o n t h e s e a s h o r e .A t d i s t a n c e so v e r 5 0 y a r d s , t h e s o u n d w a s u n l i k e t h a t o f a
f i r e a r m b e i n g d i s c h a r g e da n d i t w a s p a i d s c a n t a t t e n t i o n b y c a s u a l b e a c h - g o e r s E. v e no n a
d a r k n i g h t , n o m u z z l ef l a s h c o u l d b e p e r c e i v e dw h e n t h e s u p p r e s s e dc a r b i n ew a s f i r e d .

A s a r e s u l t o f t h e s u c c e s s f u l i n i t i a l t e s t s , C a m p b e l la s k e d D e L i s l e t o a s s e m b l e a s m a l l
n u m b e r o f c a r b i n e sf o r u s e b y c o m m a n d o si n r a i d so n t h e F r e n c hc o a s t . D e L i s l ew a n t e d t o
m a k e t h e s e a t H o l l a n d s o r B a p t y ' s b u t C a m p b e l li n s i s t e d t h e y b e m a d e u p a t t h e F o r d
D a g e n h a mf a c t o r y j u s t o u t s i d e L o n d o n . S i r M a l c o l m C a m p b e l lw a s o n t h e b o a r d o f d i r e c -
tors of Ford and perhapsfelt he would have more control over the security and manufacture
o f t h e c a r b i n e sa s t h e y w e r e b e i n g p r o d u c e df o r C o m b i n e dO p e r a t i o n s .

S e v e n t e e n. 4 5 p r o t o t y p e c a r b i n e sw e r e m a d e a t F o r d D a g e n h a mu s i n g r e j e c tS M L E a c t i o n s
a n d b u t t s . D e L i s l ew a s a s s i s t e db y t w o o f t h e f a c t o r y f o r e m e n a n d m a c h i n i n gw a s d o n e i n
t h e F o r d t o o l r o o m w i t h t h e a s s e m b l yb e i n g e f f e c t e d i n t h e m a n a g e r ' sA R P d u g o u t . B a r r e l s
were converted from Thompson sub-machinegun spares;there are quite a few differences
b e t w e e n t h i s F o r d p r o t o t y p e b a t c h a n d t h e e n s u i n gS t e r l i n gp r o d u c t i o nm o d e l s .

Ouite obvious difference are the sights, muzzle, fore-end and short magazine guide. The
s i l e n c e rc a s e i s p h o s p h a t e ds t e e l w h e r e a s t h e S t e r l i n gm o d e l i s a l l o y . T h e f o r e s i g h t i s a n
SMLE blade set in a ramp and the protectingwings have holes to admit light onto the
f o r e s i g h t , r e m i n i s c e n to f t h e . 3 0 3 P a t t e r n 1 9 1 4 r i f l e . T h e b a c k s i g h ti s a s i m p l e ' V ' n o t c h
w i t h s l i d i n g s t e p p e d r a m p t o a d j u s t e l e v a t i o n s ,s i m i l a r t h a t f o u n d o n m a n y W i n c h e s t e r
s p o r t i n gr i f l e s .T h e i l l u s t r a t e dF o r d m o d e l i s m a r k e d ' T H E D E L I S L EC O M M A N D O C A R B I N E '
a l o n g t h e t o p o f t h e s i l e n c e rj a c k e t , a l o n g w i t h t h e f i r e a r m ' s n e w s e r i a ln u m b e r .

A n u n s e r v i c e a b l eM k l l l S M L E r i f l e w a s u s e d f o r t h i s p a r t i c u l a rc o n v e r s i o na n d o n l y t h e
o r i g i n a lL e e - E n f i e l db u t t , a c t i o n a n d r e a r p o r t i o no f t h e f o r e - e n dw e r e r e t a i n e d .T h e c h a r g e r
bridge was removed and a long ejector fitted into the left side of the receiver with the nib
p r o j e c t i n gi n t o t h e b o l t w a y . T h e n e w . 4 5 c a l i b r eb a r r e le x t e n d sf o r m o r e t h a n 2 - i n . i n t o t h e
o r i g i n a lb o l t w a y , n e c e s s i t a t i n ga s h o r t e n e db o l t b o d y . D u e t o t h e u s e o f a r i m l e s sc a r t r i d g e ,
the face of the bolthead has been recessed and a special extractor fitted.

Ford Dagenhannodel (top) with fore-woodnissing, conpared with Sterling production (botton). M0D Patternfroon
T h e m a g a z i n ei s t h a t o f a U S M o d e l 1 9 1 1 C o l t a u t o m a t i cp i s t o l ,m o d i f i e di n t h a t a r i b h a s
b e e n f i t t e d o n t o t h e b a c k s o a s t o e n g a g e t h e o r i g i n a lS M L E m a g a z i n ec a t c h . A s l i g h t
m o d i fi c a t i o n h a s a l s o b e e n e f f e c t e dt o t h e m a g a z i n el i p s a n d p l a t f o r m .A p l a t e w a s i n s e r t e d
i n t o t h e o r i g i n a lm a g a z i n ew a y , a t t a c h e dt o t h e S M L E t r i g g e r g u a r d , a n d a c a s i n g e x t e n d s
f o r a b o u t 1 - i n . b e l o w t h e s h e e t m e t a l o l a t e a n d a c t s a s a o u i d e f o r t h e m a o a z i n e .T h e
o r i q i n a lS M L E s a f e t v c a t c h w a s r e t a i n e d .

S p e c i f i c a t i o n so f t h e p r o t o t y p e c a r b i n ea r e -
Calibre: .45-in. Weight: B lb.4.75 oz. (3.9 kg)
Cartridge: US Colt Auto Pistol Overalllength: 37 .2 in. (946 mm)
-l.25
Rifling & twist: 6 groove, L.H. Effective brl length: in. (184 mm)
Magazine capacity: 7 rounds Sighting radius: 13.6 in. (338 mm)

T h e s e w e r e p u t s t r a i g h t i n t o a c t i o n b y C o m b i n e d O p e r a t i o n si n d e m o l i t i o n r a i d s o n t h e
F r e n c h c o a s t , m a r n l y u s e d t o t a k e o u t s e n t r i e s .A s t h e c a r b i n e s w e r e s p e c i a l o r d e r s f o r
C o m b i n e dO p e r a t i o n s ,t h e y w e r e n o t l o g g e d i n t h e g e n e r a ls e r v i c eo r d n a n c es y s t e m .

D e L i s l e ' sw o r k i n t h e M i n i s t r y o f A i r c r a f t P r o d u c t i o nc o n t i n u e dt h r o u g h t h e w a r a n d h e w a s
r e s p o n s i b l ef o r a n u m b e r o f i m p r o v e m e n t si n a i r c r a f ta n d a e r o e n g i n ed e s i g n .P a t e n t st a k e n
o u t i n t h i s p a r t i c u l a r f i e lwd e r e N o . 5 6 2 , 3 9 ' l o f 1 9 4 2 , a n d N o s . 3 , 7 5 6 , - 1 , 9 6 4& 1 6 , 4 5 3 o f
' B u n n i e 'i n c i n e r a t o r a , g a r b a g ed i s p o s a l
1 9 4 3 . L a t e r i n v e n t i o n si n c l u d e dt h e W a n d s w o r t h
u n i t a n d a s e l f - o p e n i n vg e n t i l a t i o nf a n . A l e s s p u b l i c i s e d e s i g n o f W i l l i a mG . D e L i s l e ' sw a s
'secret p i s t o l .
h i s r e m o t e t r i g g e r m e c h a n i s mf o r "a agent' waist-belt

D u r i n gt h e e a r l i e ry e a r s o f t h e w a r , a s a f i r e a r m se n t h u s i a s t ,G o d f r a y D e L i s l e o f t e n v i s i t e d
t h e W i l k e sB r o s .a t t h e i r B e a k S t . , S o h o g u n s h o pa n d o n o n e o f t h e s e o c c a s i o n sa n o f f i c e r
f r o m t h e W a r O f f i c e c a m e i n t o t h e g u n s h o p w i t h a r o u g h p a t t e r n f o r a n u n d e r c o v e rb e l t
p i s t o l w i t h a r e m o t e ,h a n d - o p e r a t e dt r i g g e r i n gm e c h a n i s m .D e L i s l e o f f e r e d t o i m p r o v et h e
p a t t e r n a n d b u i l d s o m e m o d e l s a r r d h e a s s e m b l e da b o u t 2 4 d u r i n g a b o u t o f b r o n c h i t i s
w h i l s t o n a f e w d a y s s i c k l e a v e .H e r e c a l l e dm a k i n gt h e m u p i n h i s d r e s s i n gr o o m u s i n g a
f e w s m a l l h a n d t o o l s ,s u i t a b l y a t t i r e d i n p y j a m a sa n d d r e s s i n gg o w n .

T h e w a i s t b e l t p i s t o l c o m p r i s e da C o l t . 3 2 a u t o p i s t o l m o u n t e do n t o a s t e e l p l a t e f i t t e d o n t o
a s e r v i c ew e b b i n g w a i s t b e l t . T h e r i g w a s t h e n p o s i t i o n e do n t h e r i g h t s i d e o f t h e w e a r e r ' s
body and a Bowden cable run from the pistoltriggerto a remotetrigger on a brass ring
w o r n o n t h e f i n g e r . T h e e x t e r n a lt r i g g e r c o u l d t h e n b e o p e r a t e d b y t h e t h u m b . W i l k e s
a s s e m b l e da n u m b e r o f t h e s e u n i t s f o r c o v e r t o p e r a t i o n si n E u r o p e ;o n e w a s u s e d a t t h e
p a r t i s a n a s s a s s i n a t i o no f H e y d r i c h o n 2 7 t h M a y , 1 9 4 2 . T h e b e l t p i s t o l w a s w o r n u n d e r -
n e a t h a c o a t o r j a c k e t a n d t h e c o n c e a l e dw e a p o n c o u l d b e f i r e d r e m o t e l yt h r o u g h t h e c o a t ,
e v e n w i t h s h o o t e r ' sh a n d s p l a c e d o n h i s h e a d o r r a i s e di n t h e m a n n e r o f s u r r e n d e r .

Anotherclandestine
firearm of IAorH War 2.
the belt pistol designed
and fahricatedhy Mr.
IU.G.Delisle.
M0DPatternBoom

a
W . G . D e L i s l e n o t i f i e d t h e O r d n a n c eB o a r d o f h i s c a r b i n ea n d a s a m p l e f o r w a r d e d t o
C h e s h u n tf o r p r e l i m i n a r yt r i a l s o n 2 9 t h M a y 1 9 4 3 w a s r e t u r n e dt o C a m p b e l la t t h e H O
C o m b i n e dO p e r a t i o n so n 3 ' l s t M a y , 1 9 4 3 . A f e w m o n t h s l a t e r , D e L i s l ew a s i n t e r v i e w e d
b y m e m b e r so f t h e O r d n a n c eB o a r da n d h e b r o u g h tt w o o f h i s c a r b i n e st o t h e m e e t i n g .

Personnel present: Mr. W. G. De Lisle Colonel Burchett (CEAD, Small Arms)

Colonel Lugard (O.8. Chairman) Captain Roberts U.S.R.B.)
Major Parsons (O.8.) Captain White (,4.3)

Mr. De Lisle produced two weapons with silencers-

/. O.45 inch CARBINE (SILENT) - based on the No. / Rifle
Butt and action: No. / rifle with shortened bolt, modified bolthead, ejector, &c.
0.45-in. barrel (c. B in. long) fitted with face of the barrel about halfway along the body so
that a shortened bolt is required. An adaptor for the O.45-in. Colt SL pistol magazrne fits
into the rear part of the normal magazine opening. The silencer is about 2 3 rnches rn
diameter, approximately 75 7B inches long.

Other detatls -
Accuracy: 2-in. group at 5O yds. (claimed).
Sights: Radial backsight on silencer, barleycorn foresight.
Bayonet: Can be fitted.
Flash: Nil blaimed)
Norse: lnaudible at 50 vds. (claimed)
Weight. Approx. 7 lb.

2. .22 inch SELFLOADING CARBINE(SILENT)

Very well made commercial type weapon, with magazine (tube type) in butt.
Barrel: Approx. 7% ins.
Silencer: Approx. 72ins.
Scope: Fitted with large No. 32 type scope above ltarrel, no iron sights.
Flash: Nil (claimed)
Noise: Slight mechanical noise.

O n 1 2 t h J a n u a r y , 1 9 4 4 , D e L i s l ew a s a d v i s e dt h a t t r i a l s h a d s h o w n p r o m i s ea n d f u r t h e r
t e s t s w e r e t o b e c a r r i e do u t a t C h e s h u n t .T h r e e r e p o r t sw e r e t a b l e d o n 2 1 s t J a n u a r y -
1 . F u n c t i o n i n g& A c c u r a c yT r i a l s - C h i e f I n s p e c t o rA r m a m e n t ,W o o l w i c h
2 . N o i s eM e a s u r e m e n T t e s t s - N a t i o n a lP h y s i c a Ll aboratory
3 . V e l o c i t y M e a s u r e m e n t s- C h i e f S u p e r i n t e n d e nAt r m a r n e n tR e s e a r c h

R E P O R TB Y C . I . A . /W . O F F U N C T I O N I N & G A C C U R A C YT R I A L S . 1111943
Weapon: 1 D e L i s l eC a r b i n e Accessories: 1 Magazine
A m m u n i t i o n . ' . 4 5 - i n c hW . R . A . Object: T e s t c a r b i n ef o r f u n c t i o n i n g ,
a c ( ; u r a c ya n d p e n e t r a t i o n .
Details:
A . F u n c t i o n i n g : F i r e 2 0 r o u n d sh o r i z o n t a l l a
y n d 1 O r o u n d e a c h a t B O d e g r e e se l e v a t i o n
and deoression.
. T h e c a r b i n ef u n c t i o n e dc o r r e c t l yw i t h e a c h s h o t f i r e d .
B . A c c u r a c y :F i r e3 x 5 r o u n d d i a g r a m s ,o v e r c o v e r , a t 3 0 y d s .
'Hri1ilrril""'n:l"tt:J;i;J.
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R E P O R TB Y N . P . L O . N COMPARATIVE M E A S U R E M E N TO S F N O I S EO F S I L E N C E DA R M S
Weapons: M k 1 S t e n( u n s i l e n c e d l 21112143
'1 ( s i l e n c e d )
Mk 1 Sten
D e L i s l eC o r n m a n d oC a r b i n e( s i l e n c e d )
A n ' r r r r u n i t i o r -9rr:n n r M k 1 z 1 9 4 2
.45 Auto Remington
N o r s eM e a s u r e r r r e ar rt t3 5 y d s b y N P L n o i s em e t e r

B u l l e t sf i r e d t h r o u g hv e l o c i t ys c r e e n s a v e r a g e( p h o n s )
M k I S t e n( u n s i l e n c e d ) 111
M k l l S t e n( s i l e n c e d ) 91
D e L i s l e( s i l e n c e d ) 95
No screens: Mk ll Sten ( s i l e n c e d ) 89.5
D e L i s l e( s i l e n c e d ) B5 . 5
T h e v e l o c i t ys c r e e n sw e i ' ef o u n d t o s i g n i f i c a n t l iyn c r e a s et h e s o u n d l e v e lo f t h e D e L i s l e
c a r b i n e ,p r o b a b l yd u e t o g r e a t e rc a l i b r ea n d h i g h e rv e l o c i t yo f t h e b u l l e t .T h e r e s u l t s
r , v i t h o utth e s c r e e n sw e r e a m o r e r e a l r s t i c o m p a r i s o nf o r f i e l d c o n d i t i o n s .

R E P O R TO N V E L O C I T I E S 21i12i43
A m m u n i t i o n :9 m m M k 1 z 1 9 4 2
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O . V . ' sa t 5 f t . r e c o r d e db y W e i b e lc h r o n o g r a p h
A v e r a g eo f 6 r e a d r n g s :
Mk I Sten 1117fps
M k l l S t e ns i l e n c e d 731 fps
De Lisie 865 fps
T h e M k l l S t e n w a s f i t t e d w i t h t h e W e l s i l e n c e(rI S R B )T. h e 9 m m a m m u n i t i o ni l s e d w a s
1 9 4 2 M k 1 z a n d g a v el o w e rv e l o c i t i e bs y a b o u t2 5 0 f p s t h a n c u r r e n t y p e s .T h i sw o u l d
r l e a n a n i n c r e a s ei n t h e n o i s e l e v e l o f b o t h S t e n g u n s , a p p r e c i a b l yr n a g n i f y i n gt h e
d i f f e r e n c eb e t w e e nt h e S t e n q u n s a n d t h e D e L i s l e .

T h e D e L i s l es h o w e ds u f fi c i e n tp r o m i s et o w a r r a n tf u r t h e rt r i a i s ,s o o n 1 9 t h F e b r u a r y1 9 4 4 ,
'1
t w o c a r b i n e sN, o s . O 1 5 a n d 1 O O 2 ,w e r e t e s t e da t C h e s h u n ft o r a c c u r a c ya n d s i l e n c i n g
a g a i n s tt h e M k l l ( S ) S t e n . T h e D e L i s l e p r o v e dt o b e l e s s n o i s y a n d g a v e a b e s t S - s h o t
g r o u p a r 2 0 y d s o f 1 % x 1 i n . , c o m p a r e dw i t h a b e s t o f 4 x 2 ' / , i n . f o r t h e S t e n .

N e x t w a s t h e 5 , 0 0 0 r o u n d e n d u r a n c et r i a l , t e s t i n g g r o u p s i z e e a c h 5 O O r o u n d s .B a r r e l s
w e r e c l e a n e da n d w e l l o i l e de v e r y 1 , 0 0 0 r o u n d s ,b u t t h e s i l e n c e r sw e r e n o t d i s m a n t l e do r
c l e a n e dt h r o u g h o u t h e t r i a l .A g a i n ,t h e D e L i s l ew a s t e s t e da g a i n s tt h e S t e n , b u t t h i s t i r n e
b o t h t h e m a c h i n ec a r b i n e sw e r e s i l e n c e dm o d e l s t; h e M k l l f i t t e d w i t h W e l s i l e n c e ar n d t h e
M k l l ( S ) . M i n o r a d j u s t m e n t sw e r e r e q u i r e dt o t h e D e L i s l ee x t r a c t o ra n d f i r r n gp r n p r o t r u
s i o n ,w h i l e t h e W e l s i l e n c e dS t e n g a v e c o n t i n u a dl o u b l et a p s w h i c h r e s u l t e di n t h e s i l e n c e r
a s s e m b l yb e i n gf i t t e d t o a n e w g u n a f t e r 2 , 5 0 0 r o u n d s .T h e M k l l ( S ) w a s f i t t e d w i t h a n e w
s e a r a t 5 0 0 r o u n d s a n d a t 3 , 5 0 0 r o u n d s t h e s e a l i n gf e l t s w e i ' e r e p l a c e da s t h e y w e r e
completelV c h a r r e dT. h e D e L i s l ec a r b i n er : s e di n t h e s et r i a l sw a s g u n n u m b e r1 O O 2 .

T e ns h o t ,3 5 y d . g r o u ps i z e sr a n g e db e t w e e n1 / l e x 2 3l a i n . a n d B x B % i n . f o r t h e D e L i s l e ,
u n t i l a b o u t 4 , 5 0 0 r o u n d s ,w h e n t h e y w e n t w i l d d u e t o t h e f r r s t b a f f l eb e i n g s t r u c k a n d
b e n t . C o m p a r a t i v eg r o u p s i z e sf o r t h e W e l s i l e n c e dS t e n w e r e b e t w e e n 2 1 / zx 2 % i n . a n d
4 ' , , x 9 i n . , a n d 2 x 3 i n . t o 2 O ' / ox 1 3 % - i n .f o r t h e M k l l ( S ) .

U p o n e x a m i n i n gw e a p o n sa f t e r t h e t r i a l sr t w a s f o u n d-
D e L i s l e : H e a v r l yc o k e du p a n d i m p o s s i b l et o r e m o v et h e o u t e r c a s i n g ,d e p o s i t so {
c a r b o n1 / 1 6 - i n t. o 1 / B i n . t h i c k o n b a f fl e s ,v e n t u r ia n d b a r r e l .

10
 ford Dagenhanconversion(top)with SterlingEngineering nodelat hotton; Sterlingversiondoesnot havecharger
guiderivet holesfilled. Ilote serialnumher129ontheharrelandin chargerguiderecess. M.0.0.Patternfl00m

W e l - s i l e n c e r : S t r i p p e de a s i l ya n d c a r b o n a b o u t . 0 5 - i n .t h , i c ko n b a f f l e s .R u b b e rs e a l
a t f r o n t s l i g h t l y c h a r r e da n d e v i d e n c eo f b a f f l e s b e i n g h i t b y b u l l e t s .
M k l l ( S ) : B a r r e l a n d 1 3 b a f f l e s e a s i l y r e m o v e d , b u t r e m a i n d e ri m p o s s i b l et o r e -
move, Baffles and barrel more heavily coked than Welsilencer,but not as
h e a v y a s D e L i s l e .S e a l i n gf e l t s c o m p l e t e l yc h a r r e da n d u n s e r v i c e a b l e .

F u r t h e r n o i s e m e a s u r e m e n t sw e r e c a r r i e do u t o n 3 r d M a y 1 9 4 4 b y t h e N a t i o n a l P h y s i c a l
L a b o r a t o r yw i t h t h e D e L i s l ea g a i n s t t h e u n s i l e n c e dS t e n M k l l a n d S t e n M k l l ( S ) . P r o b l e m s
w e r e e n c o u n t e r e dw i t h d a m a g e d b a f f l e s a g a i n a n d t h e D e L i s l e r e s u l t s w o r s e n e d a s t h e
s o u n d b a f f l e s b e c a m e m o r e d a m a g e d .A t f i r s t , t h e M k l l t S ) S t e n p e r f o r m e dm o r e q u i e t l y
t h a n t h e D e L i s l e b u t n o i s e l e v e l si n c r e a s e da s t h e f e l t s b e c a m e c h a r r e d .D e L i s l e c a r b i n e
N o . 1 0 1 5 w a s u s e d i n t h e s e p a r t i c u l a trr i a l s .

Because of the confidential classificationof the De Lisle, patents were not taken out until
o f f i c i a l a p p r o v a lw a s g i v e n . O n t h e 2 3 r d M a r c h 1 9 4 4 , p e r m i s s i o nw a s g r a n t e df o r a p p l i c a -
t i o n o f p a t e n t s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d R u s s i a .T h e B r i t i s hp a t e n t s h a d b e e n a p p l i e df o r i n
1 9 4 3 a n d D e L i s l e ' sl i s t e d 4 3 B e l g a v eR o a d , L o n d o nS W 1 a d d r e s sw a s a s e c u r i t y b l i n d .

B o t h D e L i s l e c a r b i n e si n t h e l a s t t r i a l s w e r e d a m a g e d s o t h e O r d n a n c e B o a r d r e q u e s t e d
t h a t M r . D e L i s l es u p p l y m o r e f o r f u r t h e r t e s t s . T h e r e w e r e n o n e t o b e h a d a s t h e r e m a i n d e r
o f t h e f i r s t b a t c h w e r e i n s e r v i c e i n c o m m a n d o r a i d s o r g a n i s e db y C O H O . S o D e L i s l e
r e q u e s t e dt h e r e t u r n o f g u n s N o , 1 0 0 2 a n d 1 O 1 5 t o r e b u i l dt h e m i n t o o n e w o r k i n g c a r b i n e .

Two more were ordered as new trials were proposed with a silenced US M3 and the Sten.
B y A u g u s t 1 9 4 4 , t h e D e L i s l e w a s i n p r o d u c t i o n b y S t e r l i n g E n g i n e e r i n gC o . A g a i n , t h e
p r o d u c t i o no r d e r w a s f o r C o m b i n e dO p e r a t i o n s n , o t d i r e c t l ya c c e s s i b l eb y o r r e s p o n s i b l et o
t h e u s u a l o r d n a n c ec h a n n e l s .S o t h e C o m m i t t e ep l a c e da n o r d e rf o r t w o a d d i t i o n a lc a r b i n e s
f r o m S t e r l i n g .T h i s c o n t r a c t w a s d a t e d 6 t h O c t o b e r 1 9 4 4 , b u t c a n c e l l e do n 1 6 t h N o v e m b e r
w h e n t w o w e r e m a d e a v a i l a b l ef r o m t h e C O H O c o n t r a c t .

1 1
 Stripped Sterling EngineeringDe lisle carhine with casingand baffles disassenhled. M.0.0. PatternEoon

CIose-upol netal baffles, spacersand casing with lanchester type sight. M.0.0. PatternBoon

12
T h e S t e r l i n gc o n t r a c t f o r 5 0 0 ( 2 9 4 1 X M 1 K . 9 4 2C o n . X M d a t e d 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 9 4 4 1 w a sc a n c e l l e d
o n 2 0 ' h D e c e m b e r 1 9 4 5 , b e f o r e c o m p l e t i o n .O n l y 1 0 6 c a r b i n e s w e r e r e c o r d e df r o m t h e
S t e r l i n gc o n t r a c t b u t a f e w m o r e w e r e a s s e m b l e dl a t e r w h i c h t o o k t o t a l p r o d u c t i o nt o a b o u t
1 3 0 . W h e n t h e c o n t r a c t f o r 5 0 0 c a r b i n e sw a s s e t , i t w a s p r o p o s e dt h a n s e r i a ln o s . 4 5 1 t o
5 0 0 b e A i r b o r n e m o d e l s w i t h f o l d i n g s t o c k s ; o n l y o n e o r t w o p r o t o t y p e sw e r e f a b r i c a t e d .

C a r b i n e s n o s . 4 0 a n d 9 7 w e r e f o r w a r d e d t o t h e O r d n a n c e B o a r d f o r t r i a l s , d e l i v e r e di n
M a r c h o f 1 9 4 5 b y w h i c h t i m e t h e s e t r i a l s h a d b e e n c a n c e l l e da n y w a y .T h e r e a s o nf o r t h i s
d e c i s i o nw a s t h a t i t w a s c o n s i d e r e dm o r e d e s i r a b l et o f i t a s i l e n c e rt o t h e . 3 O 3 S M L E r i f l e
a n d u s e r e d u c e d l o a d a m m u n i t i o n ,a s t h e G e r m a n sh a d d o n e w i t h t h e K a r g 8 k .

C o m m a n d o C a r b i n es e r i a ln u m b e r s w e r e m a r k e d a l o n g t h e t o p o f t h e b a r r e l ,e . g . ' T H E D E -
L I S L EC A R B I N EC . O . S . D 2. 1 1 1 S . E . C . O .C' O S D i n d i c a t e dS p e c i a lO p e r a t i o n sE x e c u t i v e ' s
S t o r e sD i v i s i o n 2, 1 1 1 w a s t h e c o n t r a c tn u m b e r ,a n d S E C Ow a s S t e r l i n gE n g i n e e r i nC g o .D e
L i s l e c a r b i n e n u m b e r s c o m m e n c e d i n t h e l O O Or a n g e ,h e n c e c a r b i n e n o . 4 0 w o u l d h a v e
b e e n n u m b e r e d 1 O 4 0 . T h e F o r d p r o t o t y p e sa r e s t a m p e d a l o n g t h e t o p o f t h e b a r r e lj a c k e t ,
e.g.'rHE DE LTSLE C O M M A N D OC A R B T NC E A L . 4 5 A . C . p .N O . 1 0 1 O p A T .p E N D t N G ' .

A M a r k l l D e L i s l e C a r b i n ee x a m p l e i s r e c o r d e d ,m a r k e d o n t h e j a c k e t ' T H E D E L I S L E
C O M M A N D O C A R B I N EM K l l ' a b o v e t h e u s u a l S O E a p p e l l a t i o na n d s e r i a l n u m b e r ( t h e
a f o r e m e n t i o n e nd o . 1 0 1 5 ) w i t h r u d i m e n t a r yf l i p - o v e rL a n c h e s t e M r k l " b a c k s i g h ta n d p r o -
t r u d i n g m u z z l e n o z z l e n o r m a l l y t y p i c a l o f t h e F o r d D a g e n h a mp r o t o t y p e s .N o o t h e r r e f e r -
e n c e t o a M k l l m o d e l h a s b e e n n o t e d a n d t h e d i f f e r e n ts t y l e o f m a r k i n g a n d f i t t i n g s w i t h
n o n - t y p i c a ls e r i a l n u m b e r p l a c e a q u e s t i o n m a r k a t l e a s t o v e r t h i s p a r t i c u l a re x a m p r e .

S o m e c o n j e c t u r ee x i s t s t o d a y r e g a r d i n gt h e n u m b e r o f c a r b i n e sm a d e a n d s e r i a l n u m b e r s .
D e L i s l e ' s. 2 2 p r o t o t y p e i s n u m b e r e d 1 0 0 1 , B a p t y ' s p r o t o t y p ew a s O O l a n d t h e F o r d b a t c h
f r o m 1 O O 2t o 1 0 1 8 . l t f o l l o w st h a t t h e S t e r l i n gc a r b i n e sc o m m e n c e da t n o . 1 0 1 9 a n d r a n
t o a b o u t 1 1 5 0 a l t h o u g h L a i d l e ri n ' G u n s o f D a g e n h a m ' r e p o r t s a S t e r l i n g m a d e c a r b i n e
n u m b e r e d1 0 1 5 a n d c a r b i n e sn u m b e r e d2 O B 9 o r 2 0 9 0 , w i t h m a t c h i n gn u m b e r b o l t s .T h e
l o s s o f S t e r l i n gD e L i s l eC o m m a n d oC a r b i n er e c o r d si n a w a r t i m e G e r m a nV - b o m b f i r e d o e s
n o t h e l p t o r e s o l v et h e s i t u a t i o n r e g a r d i n gs e r i a l n u m b e r a n o m a l i e se i t h e r .

I t h a s b e e n f o u n d t h a t s p e c i a lo r d e r sp a r t i c u l a r l yt,r i a l s a n d e x t r a - s e r v i c ep r o d u c t i o n ,o f t e n
r e s u l t i n d i s p a r a t eg u n s e r i a l n u m b e r s .A b s e n c e o f p r o d u c t i o nl i n e n o r m a l i t y i s c e r t a i n l ya
c o n t r i b u t i n gf a c t o r t o s u c h i n c o n s i s t e n c i e sa n d t h e D e L i s l e c a r b i n e sw e r e a l l h a n d - f i t t e d
individuap l i e c e s .T h e f i n e l y - m a d e( n o m i n a l )o n e h u n d r e d . 2 2 N o . 5 t r i a l s r i f l e s a t B S A ' s
Shirley p l a n t l a t e i n W W 2 , n o r m a l l yt y p i c a l o f p r e c i s eB r i t i s hm a n u f a c t u r i n gp r o c e s s e s a , re
l i s t e d i n l C l a m m u n i t i o n t r i a l s r e p o r t s .T h e s e s h o w a t l e a s t f o u r r i f l e s w i t h r e p e a t e ds e r i a l
n u m b e r s a n d a t o t a l q u a n t i t y e x c e e d i n gt h e 1 0 0 o r d e r .S t e r l i n g ' sw a r t i m e e f f o r t s o n w h a t
w a s m u c h m o r e h a n d - f i t t e du s i n g r e c y c l e da n d s p a r e c o m p o n e n t s ,i s e v e n m o r e l i k e l y t o
e x h i b i td i s t i n c ts e r i a ln u m b e ra n o m a l i e sg i v e nt h e e n v i r o n m e n t .

R e g a r d i n gn e w s e r i a l n u m b e r s s t a m p e d o n t h e D e L i s l ec a r b i n e s ,t h e e x a m p l ea t t h e M O D
P a t t e r nR o o m , N o t t i n g h a m ,i s n u m b e r e d 1 2 9 o n t h e . 4 5 T h o m p s o n b a r r e le x t e n s i o ni n t h e
b o l t w a y a s w e l l a s 1 2 9 o n t h e f o r e - w o o d r e c e s sw h e r e t h e c h a r g e r b r i d g e w o u l d n o r m a l l y
f i t . T h e . 3 O 3 c a r t r i d g e c h a r g e r b r i d g e s w e r e r e m o v e d i n t h e c o n v e r s i o np r o c e s s . S o m e
o r i g i n a l. 3 0 3 S M L E r i f l e m a r k s a r e u s u a l l ye v i d e n t ,i n c l u d i n gt h e o r i g i n a sl e r i a ln u m b e r o n
t h e r e c e i v e rr i n g . T h e M O D P a t t e r nR o o m e x a m p l es h o w n h e r e w a s o r i g i n a l l ya 1 9 1 8 B S A ,
r e f i t t e d w i t h t y p i c a l W W 2 b e e c h f u r n i t u r ea n d v a r i o u s s c a v e n g e ds p a r e c o m p o n e n t p a r t s .
T h e c a r b i n e ' sn e w s e r i a ln u m b e r , 1 2 9 , w a s a l s o s t a m p e d o n t h e b a c k o f t h e b o l t h a n d l e .

A t e c h n i c a li n f o r m a t i o nb u l l e t i n( r e s t r i c t e d' i n h o u s e 'o r d n a n c ep u b l i c a t i o n p
) r o v i d e sa s o m e -
w h a t h u m o r o u sr e p o r t o f a n e a r l y t e s t i n g -

13
 THE TRIAL OF THE DE LISLE SILENT CARBINE
The following account of the trial of this weapon on behalf of COHA was obtained by
the author from a usually reliable source and appears to bear repetition sua sponte. The
Source aforementioned states that he was ordered to accompanv a Senior Officer of the
Senior Service to perform the trials, which were to take place in the presence of the
inventor and Sir Malcolm Campbell in the grounds of the latter's estate.

At the conclusion of a series of more or less orthodox firings in which the weapon
achieved the necessary standards with some ease, representatives of COHA were asked
whether they wished to see any further tests, or to handle the weapon themselves. The
Senior Officer of the Senior Service replied that he would. Upon receiving the piece in
his hands he immediately brought it to his shoulder, presented it at one of a number of
duck which were feeding on the other side of the lake at a range estimated by the
Source at 4OO yards, and fired. The duck, less one, thereupon became airborne and
withdrew. A small boat was despatched to recover the victim, which was found to have
died from a large calibre gunshot wound in the neck. The Officer of the Senior Service
regarded it with enthusiasm for a minute or so and then remarked, "l'm rather out of
practice, so perhaps it's hardly fair to blame the gun. Actually I aimed at the head".

ln spite of the contretemps, the accuracy was considered adeguate and the carbine was
accepted for service.

T h i s a c c o u n tc l a i m st h a t t h e i n v e n t o rw a s p r e s e n t .D u r i n ga c o n v e r s a t i o n
i n 1 9 8 O ,G o d fr a y
D e L i s l ec o u l d n o t r e c o l l e c ts u c h a n i n c i d e n th a p p e n i n ga t C a m p b e l l ' sH e d d i n g l e ye s t a t e .

W h i l et h e s i l e n tc a r b i n ew a s a s u c c e s s f utlo o l i n t h e c o m m a n d ot y p e o p e r a t i o n sl e a d i n gu p
t o D - d a y a n d t h e N o r m a n d yl a n d i n g s ,i t s u s e w a s v e r y l i m i t e di n t h e m o r e c o n v e n t i o n a l
w a r f a r e t h a t f o l l o w e d . A c t i o n i n t h e F a r E a s t p r o v i d e d m o r e o p p o r t u n i t i e sf o r t h e s i l e n t
c a r b i n e ,w h e r e b a t t l e r a n g e sw e r e o f t e n c l o s e rd u e t o t h e j u n g l e a n d r u g g e dt e r r a i n .D e L i s l e
c a r b i n e sw e r e u s e d i n B u r m a .m a i n l yf o r i n f i l t r a t i o na n d o p e r a t i o n sb e h i n de n e m y l i n e s .

A n i n s t a n c er e p o r t e db y a s n i p e r ;w a s w h e n t h e D e L i s l ec a r b i n ew a s u s e d f o r ' p i c k i n g o f f
J a p a n e s et r o o p st r a v e l l i n gi n o p e n l o r r i e sb e h i n dt h e i r o w n l i n e s ' .B r i t i s ht e a m s l a y u p n e a r
t h e r o a d ,w e l l c a m o u f l a g e da, n d s i l e n t l yd e s p a t c h e da J a p a n e s es o l d i e ri n e a c h l o r r yw h i c h
p a s s e db y . I n m o s t c a s e st h e l o r r y w o u l d s t o p , b u t a s n o s h o t h a d b e e n h e a r d ,t h e J a p a n e s e
d i d n o t k n o w t h a t t h e y h a d b e e n f i r e d u p o n , o r i n d e e d ,e v e n i f t h e y h a d , f r o m w h e n c e t h e
a t t a c k c a m e . l n t h e r e p o r t e dc a s e ,t h e r e w e r e t w o o r t h r e e s u c h s n i p e r so p e r a t i n ga l o n gt h e
r o a d a n d t h e y a c c u m u l a t i v e l y ' b a g g et dh r e eo r f o u r i n e a c h l o r r y ' .D e L i s l ec a r b i n e sw e r e o n
i s s u e i n M a l a y a d u r i n g t h e E m e r g e n c ya n d u s e d b y a n u m b e r o f r e g i m e n t si n c l u d i n gt h e
G o r d o nH i g h l a n d e r sT. h e r e i s a l s o r e a s o n a b l e v i d e n c eo f D e L i s l ec a r b i n e sb e i n g u s e d i n
s u b s e q u e n tc o n f l i c t s b y B r i t i s hc o v e r t o p e r a t i o n sg r o u p s i n v a r i o u sc o r n e r so f t h e g l o b e .

D u r i n ga t a l k i n t h e o p e n t o v i s i t i n go f f i c e r sa t t h e F A R E L FT r a i n i n gC e n t r e ,a D e L i s l ef i r e d
5 r o u n d sw i t h i n 5 O y a r d s o f t h e a u d i e n c eb u t n o o n e r e a l i s e dt h a t a r i f l e h a d b e e n f i r e d .

A g o o d t e s t i m o n i atl o D e L i s l e ' sc a r b i n ei s p a i d i n t h e f o l l o w i n gr e p o r to n t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s
o f G e r m a ns i l e n c e r so n t h e i r 7 . 9 2 m m s e r v i c er i f l e ;t h e D e L i s l ew a s f o r c o m p a r i s o nT. h e s e
t h o r o u g h t e s t s m a d e u s e o f t h e w i d e s t r a n g e o f s i l e n c e df i r e a r m s i n a n y t r i a l t o d a t e -
o 7 . 9 2 m m K a r 9 B kr i f l e w i t h S c h i e s s b e c k et ry p e a t t a c h m e n ts i l e n c e r m , a r k e d" A " .
o 7 . 9 2 m m K a r 9 B k r i f l e w i t h b a y o n e t t y p e a t t a c h m e n t r i f l e s i l e n c e r ,m a r k e d " 8 " .
o . 3 0 c a l U . S . M 1 c a r b i n e( s i l e n c e dt o) C . E . A . D d. e s i g n .
n . 4 5 - i n c hD e L i s l ec a r b i n e( s i l e n c e d ) .
o 9mm Sten Mk 2 (silenced).
o 9mm Sten Mk 6 (silenced).

14
 View of internal mazzlewith bteed holesand baffte rods, fron the underside.TheGerman'nozzle'attachment
for the harrel nuzzle has beenunscrewed. M.0.0. patternfroon

left action view of De lisle conversion,note harrel extendedinto boltway, shortenedbolt body, new ejector with nih
protruding through the boltway wall, and filled in chargerguide rivet holes. M.0.0. PatternBoon

i5
T a r g e t sw e r e : 1 5 - i n c hs q u a r ex 1 m m m a n g a n e s es t e e lp l a t e s .
1 - i n c h d e a l b o a r d b o x t a r g e t s ( b o a r d ss p a c e d T z - i n c ha p a r t ) .

Tests comparedbullet penetrationof deal boards,accuracyand yaw to 2OOyards. penetratton

of 1mm manganesesteel plate and RV's to 200 yards. Effectiveiife of German silencerswas
consideredat about 20 rounds so varioustrialsto obtain the requiredcomparisonswere com-
b i n e da s f a r a s p o s s i b l eG
. e r m a ns i l e n c e r sw e r e u s e d w i t h s p e c i a rl e d u c e dc h a r g ea m m u n i t i o n .
T R I A L 1 . A t 1 0 0 y d s . r a n g e ,a 1 0 - r o u n dd i a g r a mw a s r e c o r d e da n d v e l o c i t i e sm e a s u r e d .
A d e a l b o a r d b o x w a s p l a c e db e h i n dt a r g e t s t o a s s e s sc o m p a r a t i v ep e n e t r a t i o n .
T R I A L 2 . A t 2 0 0 y d s . r a n g e ,a 2 0 - r o u n dd i a g r a mw a s r e c o r d e da n d v e l o c i t i e sm e a s u r e d .
A d e a l b o a r d b o x w a s p l a c e db e h i n dt a r g e t st o a s s e s sc o m p a r a t i v ep e n e t r a t i o n .
'l
T R I A L 3 . W i t h y a w c a r d sa t 4 0 f t . , 1 0 0 y d s . a n d 5 0 y d s . , 5 r o u n d sw e r e f i r e df r o m e a c h
w e a p o n , r e c o r d i n gt h e d e g r e ea n d o r i e n t a t i o no f b u l l e t y a w .
T R I A L 4 . R e c o r d i n gv e l o c i t i e sa t 9 0 f t . , a n d 2 5 0 y d s "

D i f f i c u l t l e sw e r e e x p e r i e n c e d
r e c o r d i n gv e l o c i t i e sw i t h t h e G e r m a na m m u n i t i o na t 2 O Oy d s .
a n d w i t h o t h e rt y p e s a t r a n g e so v e r 2 0 0 y d s . s o f r i a l 4 w a s n o t c o m p l e t e d T . r i a l2 h a d t o b e
s p l i t i n t o t w o s e p a r a t et e s t s , d e a l t w i t h h e r e a s 2 A a n d 2 8 .

T R I A L 1 . B e s t p e n e t r a t i o n sw e r e a c h i e v e db y t h e . 3 0 M 1 c a r b i n ea n d . 4 5 D e L i s l e ,e a c h
w i t h 4 % b o a r d s ,A l t h o u g ht h e . 3 0 b u l l e th a d g r e a t e rv e l o c i t y ,t h i s w a s c o m p e n s a t e db y t h e
h e a v i e rb u l l e t o f t h e . 4 5 . T h e r e w a s l i t t l e d i f f e r e n c ei n p e n e t r a t i o nb e t w e e n S t e n c a r b i n e s ,
a l t h o u g ht w o t y p e s o f a m m u n i t i o nw e r e u s e d , M k 1 z a n d M k 2 2 . f h e G e r m a n s i l e n c e r s
p e r f o r m e dw o r s t o f a l l i n t h i s t e s t a n d a l t h o u g hS i l e n c e rA h a d a 7 5 f p s v e l o c i t yd e f i c i ta t
9 0 y d s . c o m p a r e dw i t h S i l e n c e rB , a b e t t e rp e r f o r m a n c e w a s o b t a i n e df r o m A . T h e o r d e ro f
e f f i c i e n c yw a s : .30 cal M1 carbine 4/z boards
. 4 5 - i n c hD e L i s l ec a r b i n e 4/z boards
Sten Ml.<6 3 boards
Sten Mk 2 (S) 2Tz boards
G e r m a nS i l e n c e rA 2 boards
'l
G e r m a nS i l e n c e rB % boards

T R I A L2 A . | )Oyd diag. 2OOyd diag. 90ft Mean OV | 90yd Mean OV

.30 M1 carbine 6x 5in. 5 x 1 5i n . 932 fps 757fps
.45 De l-isle 1 7x 1 2i n . 24 x 43 in. 871 fps 783fps
G e r m a nT y p e A 17x 40 in. Bx14in. 824 f ps not obtained
G e r m a nT y p e B B x 1 2 i n . 24 x 55 in. 851 fps not obtained
M k 2 ( S )w / M k 1 z 1 Bx 2 2 i n . 16x 56in. 938 fps B O 4f p s
M k 2 ( S )w l M k 2 z 1 2x 1 2i n . 30 x 26 in. 981 fps 84'l fps
Mk6w/Mk1z 1 0x 1 9i n . 25 x 53 in. 866 fps 732 fps
Mk6w/Mk2z 1 Bx 1 6 i n . 37 x 53 in. 943 fps 8 O 1f p s

R e g a r d i n ga c c u r a c y ,t h e M 1 c a r b i n eg a v e t h e b e s t r e s u l t s ,e s p e c i a l l ya t 1 0 0 y d s . A n i n t e r -
e s t i n gr e s u l tw a s t h e G e r m a nS i l e n c e A r , w h i c h g a v e a b e t t e rg r o u p i n ga t 2 O Oy d s . t h a n a t
1OO y d s . This was p r o b a b l yb e c a u s et h e r u b b e rb a f f l e sc r u m b l e da n d e v e n t u a l l yb l e w o u t .
t h e b u l l e tv e l o c i t y ,a c c u r a c ya n d p e n e t r a t i o n .
n e g a t i n gt h e s i l e n c i n gv a l u e ,b u t i n c r e a s i n g

T R I A L2 8 . M a n g a n e s es t e e l p i a t e p e n e t r a t i o n- m a x i m u m d i s t a n c e s .
. 3 0 M 1 c a r b i n e( S ) 1 O - 1 5 y d s .
.45 De Lisle 1 O Oy d s +
G e r m a nS i l e n c e rA 1 5 0 - 1 7 5 y d s - d u e t o h i g h e rv e l o c i t i e sa s b a f f l e sw e r e b l o w n o u t .
G e r m a nS i l e n c e rB F a i l e dt o p e n e t r a t ea t 2 5 y d s .
Sten Mk 2 (S) 1 5 - 2 5 y d s . , d e p e n d i n gu p o n a m m u n i t i o nt y p e .
StenMk 6 F a i l u r e- 2 5 y d s . , d e p e n d i n gu p o n a m m u n i t i o nt y p e .

1 6
TRIAL3. Yaw up to 200 yds.
E x c e p tf o r t h e G e r m a n s i l e n c e r s ,a l l w e a p o n s g a v e t r u e s h o t s w i t h n o a c c o u n t a b l ey a w . l t
w a s n o t i c e d t h a t y a w d e c r e a s e dw i t h S i l e n c e rA o v e r 1 0 0 y d s . , w h i l e S i l e n c e rB g a v e a n
i n c r e a s i n ga n g l e a s t h e r a n g e sb e c a m e l o n g e r .

C o n c l u d i n gr e m a r k s w e r e t h a t t h e b e s t a l l - r o u n dp e r f o r m a n c ew a s g i v e n b y t h e D e l _ i s l e
w h i c h c o m b i n e df a i r a c c u r a c y w i t h t r u e b u l l e t f l i g h t a n d g o o d p e n e t r a t i o no f b o t h t y p e s o f
t a r g e t . T h e . 3 O M 1 c a r b i n ew a s m o d i fi e d b y t h e C E A D o n s i m i l a rl i n e st o t h e s i l e n c e dS t e n
c a r b i n e sa n d a l t h o u g h i t s h o w e d f i r s t c l a s s a c c u r a c y a n d p e n e t r a t i o no f t h e d e a l b o a r d , i t
failed to penetrate the steel target.

T h e G e r m a ns i l e n c i n ga t t a c h m e n t se m p l o y r e p l a c e a b l es o l i d r u b b e rb a f f l e s : T y p eA s i l e n c e r
w i t h t w o b a f f l e s a n d a r i g i d f o r m o f a t t a c h m e n ta n d t h e T y p e B i n c o r p o r a t i n gt h r e e b a f f l e s
w i t h a f l o a t i n g f i t a t t h e m u z z l e . Y a w e x p e r i e n c e dw i t h t h e G e r m a n a t t a c n m e n t s w a s
p r o b a b l yd u e t o t h e i n t e r f e r e n c ec a u s e d t o t h e b u l l e t i n p a s s i n gt h r o u g h t h e s o l i d b a f f l e s .
S i l e n c e rT y p e A w a s c o m p l e t e l yw o r n o u t a f t e r f i r i n g 8 3 r o u n d s ,a l t h o u g hT y p e B w a s s t i l l
e f f e c t i v ea t 6 0 r o u n d s .T h e D e L i s l ew a s m o s t e f f i c i e n tr e g a r d i n gs i l e n c i n g t, h e B o a r dn o t e d
'the
s u p e r i o r i t yo f t h e . 4 5 - i n c h D e L i s l ed e s i g n ' .

P r o d u c t i o nS t e r l i n g D e L i s l e c a r b i n e d i f f e r e n c e st o t h e e a r l i e rF o r d D a g e n h a m b a t c h a r e
l a r g e l yc o s m e t i c ;f o r e - e n ds h a p e , a l u m i n i u ma l l o y c a s i n g i n s t e a do f s t e e l a n d a b s e n c eo f a
m u z z l en o z z l ep r o j e c t i n gb e y o n d t h e s i l e n c e rc a s i n g .T h e F o r d m o d e l h a s a d i f f e r e n tf o r m o f
f o r e s i g h tp r o t e c t o r a n d b a c k s i g h t .

S i m i l a rt o t h e F o r d D a g e n h a m p r o t o t y p e s ,a n u n s e r v i c e a b l eS M L E r i f l e w a s s t r i p p e d a n d
t h e b u t t a n d a c t i o n r e t a i n e d .T h e c h a r g e rg u i d e w a s r e m o v e da n d a n e j e c t o r l e t i n t o t h e l e f t
s i d e o f t h e b o d y , s e c u r e d b y a s c r e w . T h e e j e c t o r n i b p r o t r u d e st h r o u g h t h e r e c e i v e rw a l l
i n t o t h e b o l t w a y . T h e t r i g g e rg u a r d w a s f i t t e d w i t h a s h e e t m e t a l p l a t e a c r o s st h e m a g a z i n e
r e c e s sa n d t u b u l a r c a s i n ga t t a c h e dt o p o s i t i o nt h e m o d i f i e dM o d e l 1 9 1 1 A C P m a g a z i n e .O n
t h e F o r d D a g e n h a mp r o t o t y p e s ,t h i s t u b e e x t e n d sf o r o n l y h a l f t h e l e n g t h o f t h e m a g a z i n e
w h e r e a s o n t h e S t e r l i n g ,i t i s f u l l l e n g t h . A n o p t i o n a l 1 1 - r d . c a p a c i t y m a g a z i n ew a s l i s t e d
for the De Lisle.

T h e b o l t b o d y w a s s h o r t e n e dt o 3 . 6 - i n . , t h e f a c e o f t h e b o l t h e a dr e c e s s e da n d a m o d i f i e d
e x t r a c t o r f i t t e d f o r t h e r i m l e s sA C P r o u n d . A n o t h e r i n t e r e s t i n gf e a t u r e i s a s m a l l B a k e l i t e
i n s e r td o v e t a i l e di n t o t h e u n d e r s i d eo f t h e b o l t - h a n d l es o t h a t t h e p h y s i c a lm o t i o n o f c l o s i n g
t h e b r e e c h - b o l tm i g h t b e m a d e m o r e s i l e n t . T h e b a r r e l w a s m o d i f i e d f r o m a T h o m p s o n
S M G s p a r ea n d i t e x t e n d sf o r n e a r l y2 . S - i n .b a c k i n t o t h e o r i g i n a lr e c e i v e rb o l t w a y . T h e f i r m
o f W . W . G r e e n e ri n B i r m i n g h a md i d t h e r e q u i r e dm a c h i n i n go n t h e T h o m p s o n b a r r e l s ,t h e
effective barrel length being about 7.25-in.

Shortened.4S0e lisle bolt lays

alongsidean unconvefted.303 SMIE
holt lor comparison.Thebolt.headface
of the De lisle bolt is recessedand a
new extnctor hasbeenfitted for the
.45 rinless ACPcartridge. Thenodified
bolts were re-numberedto the 'new"
carbineserial number.
M.0.0.PatternBoon

17
 SMIE.303holtconparedwith the.45Delisle
conversion.Thebolt hndyandfiringpin were
shortened, a nodifiedholtheadfitted anda
Eakeliteinsertdovetailedinto theunderside ol
theholt handle. M.0.0.Patternfroon

Relow- .45Magazine conparison.

Fron left to right: U.S.Coltaatopistol compared
with Delisle 7 roand& | | roundmagazines

18
 Iea f backsights utilis ed
from 9mmlanchester
nachine carbine
production. Thetop
sight is usaal Sterling
nodel while the botton
sight is an early
Ianchesternodel
moantedonto the
specimenwhich was
eventuaIIy sectionised.
llote the difference in
yard graduations.
Schoolof lnfantry
Museun,Warninster

T h e b a r r e l i s e n c l o s e dw i t h i n t h e s i l e n c e rc a s i n g a n d b e y o n d t h e t r u e m u z z l e i s a n e x p a n -
s i o n c h a m b e ra n d a s e r i e so f t h i r t e e nd u r a l i u mb a f f l e sw h i c h f o r m a n i n t e r r u p t e d' A r c h i m e d e s
s c r e w ' . T h e s e b a f f l e s a r e p o s i t i o n e do n t w o l o c a t i n g r o d s w h i c h a l i g n t h e b u l l e t p a s s a g e
h o l e s o f t h e b a f f l e s , a n d a n a l l o y e n d c a p i s s e c u r e db y t w o A l l e n k e y b o l t s . A n u m b e r o f
s m a l l b l e e d h o l e s a r e d r i l l e da t t h e b o t t o m o f t h e c a s i n g c a p f o r e s c a p i n gg a s .

A l e a f b a c k s i g h t ,s i m i l a rt o t h a t o n t h e e a r l y L a n c h e s t e rm a c h i n ec a r b i n e ,i s r i v e t e do n t o t h e
t o p o f t h e s i l e n c e rc a s i n g ; i t i s g r a d u a t e dt o 2 0 0 y d s . O n e p r o t o t y p e c a r b i n eh a s a 6 0 0 v d .
L a n c h e s t e sr i g h t f i t t e d . T h i s p a r t i c u l a re x a m p l ew a s l a t e rs e c t i o n i s e da n d s o t h e ' s e c t i o n i s e d
m o d e l ' m u s t b e c o n s i d e r e da ' o n e o f f ' , T h e L a n c h e s t e rS M G w a s t h e p r i n c i p a lf i r e a r m
m a n u f a c t u r e db y S t e r l i n gd u r i n g t h e w a r a n d m a n u f a c t u r ea n d m a c h i n i n go f m a n y o f t h e
c o m p o n e n t s w e r e s u b - c o n t r a c t e d ,i n c l u d i n g t h e b a c k s i g h t . T h e r e f o r e , u t i l i s a t i o no f t h e
b a c k s i g h tu n i t w a s q u i t e l o g i c a la n d t h e s e a r e u s u a l l yf o u n d w i t h t h e m a r k i n g' C F M ' w h i c h
i n d i c a t e sm a n u f a c t u r eb y C . F . M o o r e & S o n s , o f S e k f o r d eS t . , L o n d o nE C 1 .

T h e m a g a z i n ec o m p r i s e sa U S M o d e l 1 9 1 1 C o l t . 4 5 a u t o p i s t o l m a g a z i n ew i t h m o d i fi e d l i p s
a n d a h o r i z o n t a lr i b d o w n t h e b a c k t o a s t o a c c o m m o d a t et h e S M L E m a g a z i n el a t c h . A l t e r -
a t i o n s m a d e t o t h e a n g l e a n d s h a p e o f t h e s e l i p s a r e e v i d e n tf r o m t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n s a, s are
t h e S M L E t y p e r i b s f i x e d t o t h e b a c k . A l a r g e c a p a c i t y m a g a z i n ei s a l s o s h o w n h e r e a n d
a l t h o u g hi t i s n e a r l yt w i c e t h e l e n g t h o f t h e s t a n d a r dm a g a z i n e ,t h e c a p a c i t y h a s o n l y b e e n
i n c r e a s e db y f o u r r o u n d st o e l e v e n .B o t h s i d e so f t h i s p a r t i c u l a rm a g a z i n ea r e m a r k e d ' N O T
'FILL
M O R ET H A N 1 1 R O U N D S a ' nd TO HERE'.

S o m e o t h e r m a r k i n g sa r e l i k e l y t o b e f o u n d o n t h e s e S t e r l i n gm a d e c a r b i n e s ;S 1 2 9 w h i c h
w a s t h e w a r t i m ec o d e f o r S t e r l i n ga , n d ' S E C O ' a n d ' 1 2 9 ' i n s i d e a c i r c l e ,w h i c h a g a i n
i n d i c a t e sS t e r l i n gE n g i n e e r i n gC o . , D a g e n h a m .A n o t h e r d i v i s i o no f t h e S t e r l i n gg r o u p w a s
S t e r l i n gA r m a m e n t a t N o r t h a m p t o n , w h i c h w a s a l l o c a t e dt h e w a r t i m e c o d e M 6 1 9 . T h i s
c o d e m a y b e f o u n d m a r k e d o n m a n y o f t h e L a n c h e s t e rm a c h i n e c a r b i n e s "

A s a m p l e D e L i s l ec a r b i n er e t a i n e db y S t e r l i n gE n g i n e e r i n gC o . i s m a r k e d o n t h e l e f t s i d e o f
t h e s i l e n c e jra c k e t , ' T H ED E L I S L EC A R B I N E ' o v e r ' C O S D2 1 1 1 S . E . C O . 'T. h e r i g h t h a n d
s i d e o f t h e r e c e i v e rr e t a i n st h e o r i g i n a lS M L E r i f l e N o . 1 m a r k i n g s ,w h i c h m a y b e o f E n f i e l d ,
B S A , S S A o r L S A o r i g i n . l t i s p o s s i b l et h a t e v e n a n l s h a p o r eo r L i t h g o w a c t i o n b o d y w a s
u t i l i s e d ,a l t h o u g ht h i s i s l e s s l i k e l y . B o t h t h e M a r k s l l l a n d l l l * o r i g i n a la c t i o n t y p e m a r k i n g s
h a v e b e e n n o t e d . S l i n g s w i v e l s a r e m o u n t e d o n t o t h e b u t t i n t h e c o n v e n t i o n a lp o s i t i o n ,a n d
u n d e r n e a t ht h e f r o n t o f t h e s i l e n c e rc a s i n g , A t w o - p i e c e c l e a n i n gr o d w a s s u p p l i e di n t h e
butt trap, which is about 1S-in. long when screwed together. The rear portion of this
c l e a n i n gr o d i s o f l a r g e r d i a m e t e r a s t h e f o r w a r d s e c t i o n f i t s i n s i d e i t , s o a s t o p e r m i t
c o m p a c t s t o r a g ei n t h e b u t t t r a p .

19
 Airhorneprototypewith George Patchett'sfoldingstockin stowedposition.lrlotethelargecapacitymagazine,
pistol grip andfitting ol slingswivelsontheleft side. School
of lnfantryMuseun,Warminster

A n o t h e r i n t e r e s t i n gd e v e l o p m e n w
t a s t h e f o l d i n gs t o c k A i r b o r n em o d e l .F i f t y o f t h e A i r b o r n e
carbines were ordered, but never put onto the production line. Only one or two prototypes
appear to have been fabricated. lt was intended that, of the original contract 5OO De Lisle
c a r b i n e s ,n o s . 4 5 1 - 5 O Ow o u l d b e t h e A i r b o r n ef o l d i n g s t o c k m o d e l s .

T h i s s t o c k w a s d e s i g n e db y G e o r g eP a t c h e t t ;a p i s t o l g r i p i s f i x e d t o t h e r e c e i v e rw i t h t h e
f o l d i n g m e t a l b u t t h i n g e d t h r o u g h t h e r e c e i v e r ' sb u t t s o c k e t . A s p r i n g c l i p i s f i t t e d o n t o
e a c h s i d e o f t h e p i s t o l g r i p t o s e c u r et h e b u t t i n t h e e x t e n d e dp o s i t i o n .A s l o t m a c h i n e di n t o
t h e w o o d e n f o r e - e n da c c o m m o d a t e st h e b u t t p l a t ea s s e m b l yi n t h e f o l d e d - d o w n p o s i t i o n .

T h e A i r b o r n e m o d e l h a s s l i n g s w i v e l s o n t h e l e f t h a n d s i d e .T h e f o r w a r d s w i v e l m o u n t i s
r i v e t e do n t o t h e s i l e n c e rc a s i n g n e a r t h e m u z z l eb e l o w t h e f o r e s i g h t ,w h i l e t h e r e a r s w i v e l
i s m o u n t e dj u s t f o r w a r d o f t h e s a f e t y c a t c h . T h e a c t i o n , s i l e n c e r ,s i g h t s a n d b a s i c f o r e - e n d
a r e t h e s a m e a s o n t h e s t a n d a r dm o d e l . W i t h a f o l d e d l e n g t h o f 2 5 . 7 - i n . , i t i s a p r a c t i c a l
v a r i a t i o n ;i t s 3 5 . 3 - i n . e x t e n d e dl e n g t h i s a b o u t . 2 - i n . s h o r t e rt h a n t h e f i x e d b u t t t y p e .

S i g h t so n t h e D e L i s l ec a r b i n e sm a y b e r e - g r a d u a t e Ld a n c h e s t e M r k I s i g h t s( 5 0 , 1 0 0 , 1 5 0 &
2 O Oy a r d ) o r s i m p l i f i e df l i p - o v e rt y p e s p e r t h e M k l * L a n c h e s t e rM . o d i f i e d L a n c h e s t e rs i g h t s
w e r e s u p p l i e db y H . W e b b & C o . o f B r a n t w o o dR d . , L o n d o nN 1 7 , t h e i r w a r t i m e m a k e r ' sc o d e
w a s S 2 9 3 . E a r l y F o r d D e L i s l em o d e l s f e a t u r ea W i n c h e s t e rs t y l e r a m p a n d o n e e x a m p l ei s
e v e n r e c o r d e dw i t h a M k l l l S M L E s i g h t f i t t e d , a l i k e l ys e r v i c e a r m o u r e r ' sr e p l a c e m e n t .

H o l l a n d& H o l l a n dm o d i f i e ds o m e o f t h e L a n c h e s t eM r k l s i g h t s f o r n i g h t u s e .T h e y d r i l l e d
t h e r e a r o f t h e f o r e s i g h tp o s t a n d s l o t t e d t h e r e a r s i g h ts o a s t o i n s e r t l u m i n o u s m a t e r i a lf o r
n i g h t a p p l i c a t i o n sa n d b r o n o f i x b l a c k e n i n ga p p l i e dt o a d j a c e n ts u r f a c e sf o r c o n t r a s t .

S o m e D e L i s l eC a r b i n e su n d e r w e n t F T R p r o g r a m sa t E n f i e l di n 1 9 4 8 a n d w e r e e n g r a v e do n
t h e b o l t h a n d l e s , ' F T R - 4 8 'T. h i s f i g u r e i s r e c o r d e da s b e i n gs o m e e i g h t c a r b i n e s .

In 1946, W.G. De Lisletransferredfrom the Ministry of Aircraft Productionto the Ministry of

Works, although he had had no further involvementwith the silenced carbine project after
assembly of the prototype batch at Ford Dagenham.The question of royalty payment was
investigatedand he was awardedthree shillingseach for the projectedfigure of five hundred
carbines.Fror''t!.is total of f75, he was taxed f.37110f . De Lisle'ssaid his only real gain was
his satisfactionin contributinoto the war effort. in additionto his MAP service.

20
Different views ol the Sterling EngineeringDelisle ConmandoCarhine.ltlote the serial nunher in the charger
guide slot, new ejector and the WW2 vintagello. I heechfore.end. M.0.0. PanernRoon,Alottingham

21
 trio of Sterling EngineeringDe lisle Carhines.Standardproduction nodel, instructional sectionised variant,
and the Airhorne prctltype nodel with folding stock extended. Schoolof lnfantryMuseun,ll/arminster

22
CARBINE,
.45 COMMANDO,DE LISLE

Lengths:
C a r b i n e ,o v e r a l l 2 ' f t . 1 ' l. 7 5 i n . [ 9 O B m mn] o r m a lb u t t
Barrel 7 . 2 5i n . [ 1 B 4 m m ]
Butt (from action bodyi 1 3 . 5i n . [ 3 4 2 m m ]

Weights:
Carbine B lb. 4 oz. [3.7 kg) with empty magazine
C a r b i n ewith cleaning gear B lb. 6 oz. [3.8 kg) storedin butt trap
Weight of pull-off F i r s to u l l 2 t o 3 l b s .
S e c o n do u l l 5 t o 6 l b s .
Barrel:
Calibre 45-inch
R i fl i n g 6 g r o o v e ,c o n c e n t r i c
R i f l i n gt w i s t . L.H.

M u z z l eV e l o c i t y 830 ft./sec . approximate

Sights:
Foresight B l a d e ,n o t a d j u s t a b l e .
tsacksight T a n g e n t l e a f o n r i v e t e db e d
G r a d u a t e d5 0 , 10 0 , 1 5 0 & 2 0 0 y d s .

E f f e c t i v er a n g e 275 yds.
Magazine 7 - r o u n di n - l i n e m
, o d i f i e dM ' 1 9 1 1 A C P
1 1- r o u n di n - l i n e o, ptional

S e r v i c eA c c e s s o r i e s . . . W e b b i n gS l i n g
Oil Bottle
J a g , b r a s s b r i s t l eb r u s h , s t e e l r o d ( T h o m p s o n t

CARBINE,.45 AIRBORNECOMMANDO, DE LISLE

Lengths:
'l
C a r b i n e .b u t t f o l d e d ft. 1 in. [330mm]
C a r b i n e ,butt extended 2 ft. 11.3in.[B96mm]
Barrel 7.25 in.[1B4mm]

Weights:
Carbine 7 lb. 2.5 oz. [3.3 kg] with empty magazine

Magazine 7 - r o u n di n - l i n e o
, p t i o n a l1 1 r o u n d i n - l i n e

ZJ
 5 7 9 , 1 6 8 c o M P L E T ES P E c t F l c A r l o N

\R
(!)
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lli
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24
Minor differences in the carbine configuration will be noted with more similarities to the
Ford Dagenham prototypes rather than the Sterling Engineering production. Obvious
examples of these differences are the muzzle extension forward of the front cap, shorter
length of tubular magazine housing and in the form of foresight assembly. The leaf
backsight, however, is more like the later Sterling model rather than the Ford production.
It is considered that these Patent Drawings were done later during the war.

Nevertheless, the Archimides-style spiral for discharging gasses, the combination of front
and rear metal baffles, the certain baffle bleed holes and end cap powder residue bleed,
the internal barrel nozzle and radial-drilled bleed holes on the barrel itself, remain
consistent and are the basis of De Lisle's design. The De Lisle carbine was intended to be
'self-cleaning'
and much less likely to coke or foul up from firing.

FIGURES
Fig l: Side elevation showing De Lisle's Commando Carbine.
Fig 2: Vertical longitudinal section showing silencer on scale larger than that of Fig. l.
Fis 3: Detailed sectional elevation on the line 3-3 in Figure 3, showing a baffle-plate.
Fig 4: Detail plan view showing several baffle-plates and rods, broken awav, mounted.
Fig 5: An end elevation of the silencer as viewed from the left-hand end of Fiaure 2.
Fig 6: Diagram of German nozzle.
Fig 7: Vertical longitudinal section showing another construction of silencer
Fig B: Enlarged vertical section taken on the line B-B in Figure 7.

V O C A B U L A R YL I S T
Ref No. Item Auantity
/4. Carbine, Ieft side view I assembly
/ 2. Barrel, .45 calibre, converted from
Thompson SMG replacement spare I

/ 4. Tubular casing mounted eccentrically;

rear end constitutes an expansion chamber
/6. Expansion chamber with surrounds the barrel x
t B . Baffle chamber extending in front of the nozzle I

24. Barrel nozzle, threaded 4

22. Circular mount, socket for rear end of casing

24. Circular mount, socket for rear end of casing of 22
26. Front end of action receiver af tO
28" Lock nut screwed on the barrel I

30. Pin, securing, short I

32. Casing slot of 14
34. Rear sight / assembly
36. Front sight I assembly
40. Baffle support rod, left, screwed into end wall (22)
42. Baffle support rod, right, screwed into end wall (22) I

25
 2 s.\ t:.f-r<;

,.$)
\

$\
d \
\' 1
t

26
44. End cap screw 2
46.& 48. Tube, baffle support rod 2
50. Baffle plate, spiral disc t3
52. Eccentric perforation in baffle plate for bullet passage of 5O
54. Radial slit in baffle plate for gas passage, forming spiral of 5O
56. End plate with bleed holes I
58. Powder dischargebleed holes, I or 9 of of 56
60. Gas discharge tube 7
62. Expansionnozzle 1
64. lnternal face of nozzle, shapedper fig. 6 of 62
66. Shield, cylindrical, mild steel I
68. Concentric annular space of 66
70. Vent holes. Gas discharge of 66
72. & 74. Baffle plate, flat, rear, positioned in absorbing liner 2
76. Baffle plate, flat, rear, large, outside absorbing liner I
78. Baffle plate, flat, end I
BO. Holes, arcuate part of 78
Bl. Perforationsin line with eccentric perforations (52) of 72-78
82. Sound absorbing liner I
84. Metal sheath, inner, brass, to protect sound liner I
86. Metal sheath, outer, brass, to protect sound liner I

Note: The sound baffle spacers (24 of) are not describedin the Patent Specifications,nor
are the spring washers for the front and rear nuts on the baffle support rods.

The shortened bolt requires a new (or modified) bolt body, bolthead, extractor and firing
pin as illustrated on the pages in this section.

27
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29
 Howell Aatonatic Bifle, a Great War design CharltonAutonatic Bifle, ilew Zealand
resarrected during WW2. Theillustrated designduring WW2,this IME-style
exampleis covertedl9l8 B.S.A.. conversionwas donein il.Z.
M.0.D. PatternRoon, IVottinghan Inperial WarMuseun,london

30
 AUTO-LOADING
LEE-ENFIELD
CONVERSIONS
LEE-ENFIIELD
RIFLE CONVERSIONGENEALOGY

P h i l i pC h a r l t o n ,N . H o w e l l , H e n r y R i e d e r ,W i l l i a m E k i n s ,l o n l d r i e s sa n d H o w a r d - F r a n c i s -
names associatedwith gas operatedconversionsof the Lee-Enfield. The first patent, however,
w a s t a k e n o u t i n 1 9 1 8 b y S i r A . T . D a w s o n a n d S i r G . T .B u c k h a m .

128,395. Dawson, Sir A. T., un.l Bucllham. Sir G. T. . l r . r i ' .1 9 . l l l l t

FIC ?

r I I
l - - l :
!i-:.-_.-

I)auson & Buckhum Putent. 1918.

T h e v a r i o u sa u t o - l o a d i n gL e e - E n f i e l dr i f l e s w e r e e s s e n t i a l l yw a r t i m e e x p e d i e n c i e sT
. he most
c o m m o n l y k n o w n a n d c e r t a i n l yt h e m o d e l c o n v e r t e di n g r e a t e s tn u m b e r sw a s N e w Z e a l a n d ' s
C h a r l t o n b u t t h e o r i g i n s o f a u t o m a t i c a n d s e l f - l o a d i n gL e e - E n f i e l d sg o e s b a c k a s f a r a s t h e
Great War"

C o n v e r s i o n se m a n a t e d f r o m a l l m a j o r c o u n t r i e s w h e r e t h e L e e - E n f i e l dw a s i n s e r v i c e -
E n g l a n d .A u s t r a l i a ,N e w Z e a l a n da n d S o u t h A f r i c a . C a n a d a ,t h e o t h e r g r e a t D o m i n i o ns e e m s
t o h a v e h a d i t s a u t o m a t i ci n g e n u i t ya p p l i e dt o w a r d st h e e n d e m i cR o s s .A n y c o l l e c t o rf o r t u n a t e
e n o u g h t o h a v e o w n e d , f i r e d o r e x a m i n e d a n y o f t h e s e c o n v e r s i o n si s l i k e l y t o b e q u i t e
s u r p r i s e da b o u t t h e p r a c t i c a l i t ya n d f u n c t i o n a l i t y o f t h e s e c o n v e r s i o n s .

T h e f i r s t o f f i c i a l r e f e r e n c et o a s e l f - l o a d i n gL e e - E n f i e l a
d p p e a r st o h a v e b e e n S i r A . T . D a w s o n
a n d S i r G . T .B u c k i n g h a mw h o t o o k o u t a p a t e n to n t h e i r d e s i g n , N o . 1 2 8 , 3 9 5 o f 1 9 1 8 . N o
p r a c t i c a le x a m p l e so r s u r v i v i n g r i f l e s o f t h e D a w s o n a n d B u c k i n g h a md e s i g n h a v e b e e n
n o t e d a l t h o u g h t h e r e i s a p o s s i b i l i t yt h i s w a s d e s i g n e db y a n A u s t r a l i a nL i g h t H o r s e t r o o p e r ,
lon L. ldriess. Excerptsfrom the ldriessdiary are included in 'AustralianAutomatic Lee-
'Collector'
E n f i e l d s ' ,a n a r t i c l e i n m a g a z i n e ,i s s u e n o . 1 .

A r m o u r e r - s e r g e a nKt i n g o f t h e N e w Z e a l a n dc o n t i n g e n t i n t h e M i d d l e E a s t a s s i s t e d l d r i e s s
i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n to f h i s p r o t o t y p e a t t h e N . Z . O r d n a n c eW o r k s h o p sa t K h a n Y u n u s .l d r i e s s
m a d e m e n t i o n o f a n E n g l i s hM a j o r ' S i r ' w h o d i r e c t e d h i m t o w a r d s ' r i f l e e x p e r t s ' t o a d v i s e
o n p r o d u c t i o n o f a w o r k i n g s a m p l e . T h e p r o t o t y p e l d r i e s s a u t o - S . M . L . E .r i f l e w a s t h e n
f o r w a r d e dt o E n g l a n di n m i d - 1 9 1 7 t o t h e ' N a t i o n a l M a c h i n eG u n F a c t o r y ' a n d n o m o r e w a s
h e a r d a b o u t i t . A n o t h e r t w i s t t o t h e t a l e i s t h a t a n A r m o u r e r - s e r g e a nK
t i n g a s s i s t e dP h i l i p
C h a r l t o ni n t h e N . Z . a u t o r i f l e c o n v e r s i o n s - w a s i t t h e s a m e K i n g i n v o l v e dw i t h l d r i e s si n
E g y p ti n 1 9 1 7 ?

T h e H o w e l l a u t o c o n v e r s i o n ,a n o t h e r B r i t i s h d e s i g n , a p p e a r s t o d a t e f r o m t h i s p e r i o d a s
w e l l . l t w a s a g a i n p u t u p t o t h e O r d n a n c eB o a r de a r l y i n W o r l d W a r 2 a s a m e a n s t o c o m b a t

31
 RiederAutonatic Bifle, a SouthAfrican Charlton type conversionhy Australia's
contenderwhich was suhnitted to the Electrolax Co.during WW2,a likely contract
Rritish Roardof 0rdnancein 1941. for Irl.Z.using more current S.M"I"E"rifles"
TheCastleMilitarvMuseum. Canetown lnfantry CentreMuseum,Singleton

32
G e r m a na i r c r a f tw h i c h w e r e r a i d i n gE n g l a n dd u r i n gt h e e a r l yy e a r s o f t h e w a r a n d t h e r e w a s
a s h o r t s u p p l y o f m a c h i n eg u n s f o r A . - A . D e f e n c e .

T h e C h a r l t o nw a s d e s i g n e db y N e w Z e a l a n d e rP h i l i pC h a r l t o na s a s t o p - g a p l i g h t m a c h i n e
gun and more than 1,50O such guns were converted from ageing 'Long Tom' Lee-Metford
and Lee-Enfieldrifles, assembled locally during World War 2. Australia produced a variant
duringthe same periodat the Electroluxfactory althoughthis was not in an LMG configuration
a s i t w a s c o n v e r t e df r o m a n S . M . L . E .A m e m b e r o f a r e n o w n e dA d e l a i d eg u n s m i t h f a m i l y ,
W i l l i a m E k i n s ,a l s o p r o d u c e ds o m e p r o t o t y p e sd u r i n g h i s a r m y s e r v i c e i n W W 2 .

S o u t h A f r i c a n H e n r y J . R . R i e d e rc o n v e r t e ds o m e 1 8 r i fl e s t o h i s o w n d e s i g n i n C a p e t o w n
d u r i n g W o r l d W a r 2 a n d t h r e e s a m p l e sw e r e f o r w a r d e dt o t h e O r d n a n c eB o a r di n E n g l a n di n
J u n e o f 1 9 4 1 f o r e v a l u a t i o n .H o w e v e r ,n o n e h a v e b e e n i d e n t i f i e da s s u r v i v i n g i n E n g l a n d .
Rieder'sconversionwas fitted with a 25 or 3O-rd.magazineand it had a cyclic rate estimated
at more than 25O rounds per minute. A rather slow cyclic fire rate is a characteristic of
m o s t L e e - E n f i e l dS . M . L . E .r i f l e a u t o c o n v e r s i o n sT. h e C a s t l e o f G o o d H o p e i n C a p e t o w n i s
reported to have an example of the Rieder conversion.

T h e H o w e l l , C h a r l t o n , R i e d e r a n d H o w a r d F r a n c i sc o n v e r s i o n sa p p e a r r a t h e r a w k w a r d a t
f i r s t , a n d t h e i r m e c h a n i s m sr a t h e rc u m b e r s o m e e, v e n i m p r a c t i c a l B
. ut this is not necessarily
so. Having fired a privatelyowned Howell in Arizona,the smooth, cyclic action was surprising
a n d t h e r i f l e w a s c o m f o r t a b l et o h o l d a n d u s e .T h e c o m m o n f e a t u r eo f t h e C h a r l t o n ,H o w e l l ,
R i e d e ra n d E k i n sd e s i g n si s t h e o u t b o a r df u l l - l e n g t hg a s p i s t o n a n d a s s e m b l yf i t t e d o n t o t h e
r i g h t s i d e o f t h e r i f l e .T h i s a c t s d i r e c t l y o n t h e c u t - d o w n h a n d l e o f t h e b r e e c h b o l t v i a t h e
m e d i u m o f a c a m m i n g s l o t e x t e n s i o nt o t h e g a s p i s t o n .

T h e H o w e l l , C h a r l t o n , R i e d e r a n d E k i n s r i f l e s w e r e a l l i n . 3 0 3 c a l i b r e .H o w e v e r , w a r t i m e
E n g l a n ds a w a n o t h e r i n n o v a t i v ec o n v e r s i o no f t h e L e e - E n f i e l dt,h e H o w a r d F r a n c i s .T h i s
w a s a c a r b i n e w h i c h f i r e d t h e 7 . 6 3 m m M a u s e r p i s t o l c a r t r i d g e .D u r i n g a r e c e n t f i r e a r m s
a m n e s t y i n B r i t a i n ,a n e x a m p l e o f t h e H o w a r d F r a n c i sw a s d i s c o v e r e da n d n o w i s p a r t o f
t h e M i n i s t r y o f D e f e n c e P a t t e r nR o o m c o l l e c t i o ni n N o t t i n g h a m .

D e v e l o p e di n E n g l a n dl a t e i n 1 9 4 3 , t h e H o w a r d F r a n c i ss y s t e m w a s f o r t h e . 3 0 3 c h a m b e r
t o b e p l u g g e d a n d a n e w c h a m b e r f o r t h e 7 . 6 3 m m p i s t o l r o u n d , r e a m e d .T h i s c a r b i n e i s
s t o c k e d u p m o r e l i k e a s p o r t e r w i t h n e w a u t o p i s t o l m a g a z i n ep r o j e c t i n gb e l o w t h e n o r m a l
p o s i t i o n .T h i s i s a s i m p l e b l o w b a c k d e s i g n u s i n g t h e o r i g i n a l. 3 0 3 b a r r e la n d r i f l i n g a s t h e
7 . 6 3 m m b u l l e t s t a b i l i s e dr e a s o n a b l vw e l l w i t h t h e . 3 O 3 r i f l e b a r r e l .

OrdnanceBoard Proceedingsrecordtheir notificationof the Howard Francismachine carbine,

via the Admiralty. Possibly the Admiralty had been approached first as they had more
r e q u i r e m e n tf o r s u c h a c a r b i n e ,o r m a y b e t h e i n v e n t o r ( s )h a d n a v a l c o n n e c t i o n s .

HowardFrancismachinecarhine
0.8. Procs,1943

33
B u t t h e C h a r l t o nr e p r e s e n t st h e o n l y g e n e r a lp r o d u c t i o n( o r r a t h e rc o n v e r s i o n )a u t o - l o a d i n g
modelof the Lee-Enfield a n d i t m i g h t b e c o n s i d e r e da s t h e m o s t p r a c t i c a ld u e t o i t s r e l a t i v e
s u c c e s s .P a r t o f t h e c o n c e p t o f C h a r l t o n ' sc o n v e r s i o nw a s f o r s u b - c o n t r a c tp r o d u c t i o no f
n e w - m a d ec o m p o n e n tp a r t s
Cams M a c h i n eT o o l sL t d . , W e l l i n g t o n
Sprrngs N . W .T h o m a s& C o . L t d . ,W e l l i n g t o n
C o o l i n gf i n s P r e c i s i o nE n g i n e e r i n C
g o . L t d . ,W e l l i n g t o n
T i i g g e rs i d e p l a t e s P r e c i s i o nE n g i n e e r i n C g o . L t d . ,W e l l i n g t o n
Sideplates Motor Mowers Ltd., Hastings
C o c k i n gp i e c e s Motor Mowers Ltd., Hastings
P i s t o nr o d s & H a s t i n g sB o y s H i g h S c h o o le n g i n e e r i n gw o r k s h o p
Gas cylinders T o u r i s tM o t o r s , H a s t i n g sB o y s H i g h S c h o o l
engineering workshop
S o u t h w a r dE n g i n e e r i n g
L e v i n M a c h i n e T o o l s ,N . W . M o r r i s
P r e c i s i o nE n g i n e e r i n C
g o . L t d . ,W e l l i n g t o n

O r i g i n atl y p e 3 0 . 2 i n . l o n g b a r r e l sa r e n o m i n a t e di n d o c u m e n t a t i o n f o r t h e c o n v e r s i o n sa n d
t h e s e w e r e i n s h o r t s u p p l y ,e s p e c i a l l yw i t h s e r v i c e a b l er i f l i n g .S o m e n e w c o n d i t i o nl o n g
b a r r e l sw e r e a c q u i r e d ,e x - r i f l ec l u b t a r g e t m o d e l s w i t h n o b a c k s i g h tb e d s a s r i f l e c l u b
s h o o t e r su s e d r e m o v e a b l ea p e r t u r eb a c k s i g h t s .H o w e v e r ,t h e l o n g b a r r e l sa p p e a r t o h a v e
b e e n t r i m m e dt o t h e s h o r t r i f l el e n g t ho f 2 5 - i n c h e sm a k i n gt h e m t h e s a m e c o n f i g u r a t i o n as
h e a v yt a r g e t b a r r e l su s e d i n t h e N o . 1 M k l l l * H T s n i p e rr i f l e .T h e h e a v i e rb a r r e lw a s b e t t e r
s u i t e d f o r a u t o m a t i cf r r e ,a p r o b a b l er e a s o nf o r s h o r t e n i n gt h e o r i g i n a lp r o f i l e 3 0 . 2 - i n c h
b a r r e l sr a t h e rt h a n t r y i n g t o o b t a i n2 5 . 2 - i n .s h o r t r i f l eb a r r e l sT. h e s ew o u l d h a v e b e e n e v e n
h a r d e rt o o b t a i n a t t h e t i m e t h a n t h e o l d e r l o n q b a r r e l s .

S e r v i c e a b l eb o l t h e a d s w e r e a l s o i n s h o r t s u p p l y ,s o o r i g i n a lp a r t s w e r e r e m a c h i n e da n d
h e a t - t r e a t e dT. h e c o c k i n g p i e c e sw e r e a n o t h e rp r o b l e ma s t h i s h i g h l y - s t r e s s epda r t , s o m e
o v e r 5 0 y e a r so l d , c o u l d n o t b e h e a t t r e a t e df o r a n e w l e a s eo f l i f e ,m a i n l y d u e t o t h e a g e
a n d f l a w s i n t h e o l d m e t a l . N e w c o c k i n g p i e c e sw e r e u n o b t a i n a b l e f r o m A u s t r a l i ad u e t o
s h o r t a g e st h e r e ,s o m a n y o f t h e c o c k i n gp i e c e sh a d t o b e m a n u f a c t u r e df r o m n e w s t e e l .

T h e r a t e o f c o n v e r s i o nf o r t h e C h a r l t o n sw a s i n t e n d e dt o b e a s h i g h a s 2 O Op e r m o n t h b u t
b y J u l y 1 9 4 2 , o n l y 4 3 1 o f t h e c o n v e r s i o n sh a d b e e n e f f e c t e d a n d m o s t o f t h e s e w e r e t h e
o l d e r M . L . M . r i f l e s .A s s e m b l yw a s d o n e i n C h a r l t o n ' sM o t o r W o r k s h o pi n H a s t i n g s H
, awkes
B a y a n d a t o t a l o f 1 , 5 0 0 g u n s w e r e e v e n t u a l l yc o m p l e t e d M . o s t o f t h e N . Z . C h a r l t o nr i f l e s
w e r e d e s t r o y e di n a f i r e a t t h e P a l m e r s t o nN o r t h S h o w g r o u n ds e r v i c e ss t o r e s c o m p l e x a f t e r
the war.

A s 1 9 t h c e n t u r y M a g a z i n eL e e - M e t f o r da n d M a g a z i n eL e e - E ni ef l d r i fl e s w e r e t h e b a s i sf o r
t h e s e c o n v e r s i o n sr,i f l e st o o o l d t o b e c a l l e du p a g a i n ,e v e n f o r H o m e G u a r ds e r v i c e ,m o s t
o f t h e p r o b l e m se n c o u n t e r e dr e l a t e dt o t h e r e b u i l d i n go f o b s o l e t e o r d n a n c e .M a n y o f t h e
r i f l e sh a d l o n g a g o b e e n d o w n g r a d e dt o D r i l l P u r p o s e F . o r t h i s r e a s o na l o n e ,t h e p r o g r a m
m u s t b e c o n s i d e r e da s u c c e s s .

A l l o f t h e . 3 0 3 c o n v e r s i o n tsa p g a s f r o m t h e m i d d l es e c t i o no f t h e b a r r e la n d t h i s i s d i r e c t e d
o n t o a p i s t o n o r o p e r a t i n gr o d h o u s e d a l o n g t h e r i g h t s i d e t h e f o r e - e n d .A t t h e r e a r e n d o f
t h i s o p e r a t i n gr o d o r p i s t o n i s a c a m s l o t w h i c h o p e r a t e st o u n l o c k a n d m o v e t h e b r e e c h
b o l t . T h e m o d e o f t r a n s f e r o f t h i s e n e r g y a n d a t t a c h m e n tt o t h e b o l t b o d y i t s e l f o r t o t h e
b o l t h a n d l e .i s t h e p r i m e d i f f e r e n c eb e t w e e n t h e f u l l - b o r ec o n v e r s i o n s .

34
 RIFLE
N.Z. CHARLTONSELF-LOADING
Lengths:
R r lf e , o v e r a l l . . 1 1 5 . 6 c m [ 4 5 . 5 i n . ] w i t h n o r m a lb u t t
B a r r e l( l e s sc o m p e n s a t o r ) c . 6 3 . 5c m [ 2 5 . Oi n . ]
B a r r e l( w i t h c o m p e n s a t o r ) 6 6 . 0 c m [ 2 6 . 0i n . ]
Weights:
R i fl e 7 . 3 k g . [ ' 1 6l b O o z ]
R i f l ew i t h f u l l m a g a z r n e 8.2 kg tl7 lb.14 oz.l
B ar r e l :
Calibre .303-inch
R i fl i n g 6 g r o o v e , E n f i e l do r 7 g r o o v e , M e t f o r d
R i f l i n gt w i s t L . H . ,1 t u r n i n 1 0 i n
M u z z l eV e l o c i t y 2,4OO ft./sec. approximate
Sights:
Foresight B l a d e ,a d j u s t a b l ee l e v a t i o nw i t h r e p l a c e m e n t
B a ck s i gh t V - n o t c h ,f o l d i n gl e a f t o 1 , 8 0 0 y d s .
S i g h t i n gR a d i u s 53.4 cm [2'l in.]
Magazine 1 O - r ds t a g g e r e dr o w
3 0 - r d s t a g g e r e dr o w , o p t i o n a l

CHARLTONS.t. RtFtES
& ELECTROLUX
HOWELL,EKINS,RIEDER
Lenoths:
R i f l e ,o v e r a l l 134.1 cm [44.5 in.l with normal butt
B a r r e l( w / o f l a s h h i d e r ) 6 4 . 0 c m 1 2 5 . 2i n . l
Weights:
R i fl e 4.22 kg. t9 lb 6 oz) with empty magazine
R i f l ew i t h f u l l m a g a z r n e 5 . 2 4 k g t 1 1 l b . 1O o z . l
Barrel:
Calibre 303-inch
R i fl i n g 6 g r o o v e ,E n f i e l dc o n c e n t r i c
R i f l i n gt w i s t L . H . ,1 t u r n i n 1 O i n .
M u z z l eV e l o c i t y 2,4OO ft./sec. approximate
Sights:
F o r e s i gh t B l a d e ,a d j u s t a b l ee l e v a t i o nw i t h r e p l a c e m e n t
Backsight U - n o t c h ,t a n g e n t l e a f t o 2 , 0 0 0 y d s .
S i g h t i n gR a d i u s 4 8 . 2 c m [ ' 1 9i n . ] ,c . 3 0 i n . + o n E l e c t r o l u x
Magazine 1 0 - r d s t a g g e r e dr o w
2 0 , 2 5 , 3 0 r d s t a g g e r e dr o w o p t i o n so n s o m e

HOWARDFRANCIS,7.63-'
CARBINE,
Lenoths:
R i f l e ,o v e r a l l B ' 1 2c m t 3 2 . Oi n . l
Barrel 3 2 . 8c m [ 1 2 . 7 5i n . )
Weights:
R i fl e 3 . 8 k g t B l b . 1. 5 o z . l
Sights:
F o r e s i gh t Blade
'V',
B a ck s i gh t o n b r e e c hb l o c k
Magazine I l-ro
 ?&E
\fr
c-J
d
ccl
c:{

\-

H-:_+;
I I r 'l
q,
$

?
a

36
 N"Z. CHARLTONSETF-I.OADINGRIFLE

PhilipCharltontook out patentsin November1941; New Zealandwas desperatelyshort of

l i g h t m a c h i n eg u n s a n d i t u n d e r w e n tA r m y t e s t s o n 7 t h N o v e m b e r1 9 4 1. T h e C h a r l t o n
o u t w a r d l yr e s e m b l e sa t y p i c a l l i g h t m a c h i n eg u n w i t h e x p o s e db a r r e l ,c o o l i n gf i n s a n d
bipodjust forward of the gas take-off. lt was intendedfor use from the hip, shoulderand
bipodas a semi-automatic arm with full-autocapabilityin reserve.

T h e C h a r l t o nh a s t w o t u b e s a l o n gt h e r i g h t s i d eo f t h e g u n , t h e u p p e ro n e f o r g a s a n d t o
housethe operatingpiston,the lowerfor the returnspringand guiderod. A bufferassembly
is mountedonto the rear of thesetubes.The fire selectorswitch is on the left side above
the triggerwith settingsfor safe,repetitionandautomatic.Becauseof the additional fittings,
t h e w e i g h t o f t h e C h a r l t o ni s c o n s i d e r a b el t. h a s a n a d j u s t a b l e
b i p o da n d f o r w a r dv e r t i c a l
h a n dg r i p ,a s w e l l a s a r e a rp i s t o lg r i p n e a rt h e t r i g g e r .

Conversionswere turn-of-the-century
Lee-Metfordand Lee-Enfield
rifles.By the end of the war,
1,5OOhad beenconverted.SMLE1O-rdmagazines or a 3O-rdmodifiedBrenmagazinewere
The gunswereassembled
available. in Charlton'sMotorWorkshopin Hastings,HawkesBay.

Localmachineshopswere contractedto supplypartsrequiredin the conversionand some

o r i g i n acl o m p o n e n t s u c h a s b o l t h e a d sa n d c o c k i n gp i e c e sr e q u i r e dh e a tt r e a t m e n to r t h e
manufactureof new sparesdue to the age and state of the old metal.

37
 Ieft and upperleft views of the Irl.Z.Charlton.Largecapacity magazinewas optional hut not available until
end of production.llote the N.Z. issuenarkings of the original MagazineLee-Enfieldrifle on the hrassbutt
tang, with unit and rack numbersstanped below the ltlewZealandserviceownershipmark.
M.0.0.Patternfr00n,Nottinghan& lnperialWarMuseun,london

'r;1:Tz:.WrJ7t/t
+ _.._+l?'-Fi*_*
a + \ . s } r . \ \ \ \ r \ \ \

Trigger& sear of lI.Z.nodel

38
 ELECTROLUX (Aust.)CHA R LTONSELF-LOA
D I N G RI FLE
An Australianvariation of Charlton'sdesign was made by ElectroluxPty. Ltd., of Alexandra
A v e . , S o u t h Y a r r ai n M e l b o u r n e ,V i c t o r i a .A N o . 1 M k l l l * S . M . L . E .r i f l e w a s u t i l i s e df o r t h i s
particularconversion.Originalfurniturewas retainedas was the magazine,sights and nosecap.
S h e e t m e t a l g u a r d sc o v e r t h e m e c h a n i s mo n t h e r i g h t s i d e o f t h e r i fl e s o t h a t , f r o m t h e r i g h t
s i d e a t l e a s t , i t b e a r s l i t t l e r e s e m b l a n c et o t h e o r i g i n a lN e w Z e a l a n dm o d e l .

O n t h e l e f t s i d e o f t h e E l e c t r o l u xm o d e l , a s o m e w h a t s i m i l a r t y p e o f s e l e c t o r s w i t c h i s
m o u n t e d . T h e r e a r p i s t o l g r i p a l s o i s r e m i n i s c e n to f t h e N e w Z e a l a n d v e r s i o n .T h e s i g h t
a r r a n g e m e n ti s q u i t e d i f f e r e n t ,a s i m p l e a p e r t u r ea t t h e r e a r ,p r e c l u d i n gr a n g e a d j u s t m e n t .
T h e p r o j e c t w a s d i s c o n t i n u e db y J u n e 1 9 4 4 . T h i s e x a m p l e i s s t a m p e d ' N Z C H A R L T O N
AUTOMATIC' on the left side of the conversion receiver sideplate.

T w o m a c h i n e d p l a t e s a r e a t t a c h e d t o t h e o r i g i n a lr e c e i v e ra t t h e f r o n t , a r o u n d t h e r e c e i v e r
r i n g a n d a l o n g t h e l e f t s i d e o f t h e a c t i o n b o d y .O n t o t h e s e f l a t p l a t e sa r e m o u n t e d t h e f i r e
s e l e c t o rs w i t c h a n d m u c h o f t h e n e w s e l f - l o a d i n gm e c h a n i s m .A c o c k i n g k n o b i s a t t a c h e d
to the forward portion of the bolt and it has a knurled alloy knob to provide a better grip for
c o c k i n g . A s o l d e r e ds h e e t m e t a l d u s c t o v e r e n c l o s e st h e g a s p i s t o n a s s e m b l y a n d r e t u r n
s p r i n g .T h e o r i g i n a lc h a r g e r g u i d e h a s b e e n r e m o v e d .
'S'
T h e t h r e e - p o s i t i o n so n t h e f i r e - s e l e c t o sr w i t c h o n t h e l e f t s i d e a r e ' F ' , ' I a n d i n s t e a do f
' R ' , ' S ' a n d ' A ' f o r r e p e t i t i o ns, a f e a n d a u t o m a t i c A . s i m p l ea p e r t u r es i g h t i s
t h e m o r eu s u a l
mountednearthe back of the receiverw , i t h t h r e e d i f f e r e n t r a n g e h o l e s ,a l t h o u g h n o r a n g e
d i s t a n c e sa r e n o m i n a t e d .

It appearsthat few of these Australian ElectroluxCharlton prototypes were assembled and

t h e o n l y e x a m p l e sk n o w n o n p u b l i c d i s p l a ya r e a t t h e S i n g l e t o nl n f a n t r y C e n t r e M u s e u m i n
New South Wales and the Ministry of Defence Pattern Room, Nottingham"

39
 Ekins modified trigger (at topt
with the service rifle seals
illustrated below for comparison.
' The
double pull trigger principle
has been dispensed with for the
auto rifle. On the Ekins drawing,
the action is not cocked whereas
the service trigger below is in the
cocked position"

{
\
l'

\
{

Sgt. William Ekins

design drawings,
24th March 1944

40
 HOWELL, RIEDER& E'(TNSSELF-LOADINGRIFLES
T h e A u s t r a l i a nE k i n si s s i m i l a ri n p r i n c i p l et o t h e H o w e l l a n d R i e d e rw i t h s o m e r e f i n e m e n t s .
O n t h e s e f u l l - b o r ec o n v e r s i o n st,h e o p e r a t i n gp i s t o n h o u s i n gl i e s a l o n g t h e r i g h t s i d e o f t h e
r i f l e w i t h t h e g a s b l e e d - o f f p o r t o n t h e f o r w a r d s e c t i o n o f t h e 6 E r r e l ,T h e r e a r e n d o f t h e
p i s t o n c o n n e c t s t o a c a m m e d s l o t w h i c h o p e r a t e st h e m o d i f i e d b o l t h a n d l e .T h e s e 1 9 4 4
drawings are titled'Attachment for SMLE Rifle for Automatic Firing',Ekins was from a
w e l l - k n o w n A d e l a i d eg u n s m i t h f a m i l y .

T h e E k i n s S M L E d r a w i n g d a t e d 2 4 t h M a r c h 1 9 4 4 a p p e n d e dn o t e s a r e -
|. Bolt handle knob removed, modified to use a roller in cam slot of attachment.
New bolt actuator handle fitted.
2. Connecting link attached to piston (3).
3. Piston driven against return spring (5) within cylinder (6).
4. Threaded plug in end of cylinder.
5. Double helix return spring.
6. Cylinder fabricated from motor-cycle .. (?).
Muzzle end secured to rifle using an inner barrel band"
7. Gas take-off port in barrel 3.S-in. from muzzle (N" 60 drill dia.).
fSome difficulties locating gas port; first test rifle had this port too close to the breech,
result- case separations and destruction of the bolt.l
B. Pistol grip (Owen gun?) attached to butt by bolt (9) screwed into collar
(welded/brazed?) on stock bolt.
9. Pistol grip bolt.
I O. Bearing bracket attaching mechanism to action f rame at charger bridge.

N o t e s f o r t h e c u t - a w a y d r a w i n g o f E k i n s 't r i g g e r m o d i f i c a t i o n s :
(a) Lower limb of sear ground to modified and shortened shape"
(b) lJpper limb of trigger ground to the modified and shortened shape.
(c) Elongated screw hole fitted to trigger"
(d) V-springs fitted behind trigger and under trigger nose where modified upper limb
engages modified sear. (SMLE extractor springs?)

T o t a lw e i g h t o f E k i n sa t t a c h m e n tw a s a b o u t 1 5 o z s . ,c o n v e r s i o nc o u l d b e m a d e b y p r o f i c i e n t
a r m o u r e r su s i n g p a r t s f r o m a s t a n d a r d a r m o u r e r s 'k i t . E k i n s w a s w o r k i n g o n a 3 O - r o u n d
m a g a z i n ef o r t h e r i f l e b u t w a s t r a n s f e r r e df r o m A l i c e S p r i n g sa n d d i d n o t c o m p l e t e i t .

T h e a u t o l o a d i n gr i f l e c o n v e r s i o no p e r a t e d e f f e c t i v e l y a n d h u n d r e d s o f r o u n d s w e r e f i r e d
w i t h n o s i g n i f i c a n td i f f i c u l t i e so r s t o p p a g e s .E k i n s ' c o n v e r s i o nu n d e r w e n t e x t e n s i v et e s t i n g
b y t h e A r m y a t A l i c e S p r i n g s a n d d e t a i l sw e r e s e n t t o M e l b o u r n e .W h i l e t h e d r a w i n g s a n d
r e c o r d so f E k i n s ' c o n v e r s i o nh a v e b e e n p r e s e r v e d ,n o e x a m p l e sa r e k n o w n t o e x i s t .

Bieder'sconvetsion
CastleMilitaryMuseun
41
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42
 CO NTEMPO RARYAU STRALIANSEI.F-
LOAD'NG RIFLE
T h i s i s a m o r e r e c e n t c o n v e r s i o na n d p e r h a p st h e m o s t p r a c t i c a l . F r o m a d a t e o n t h e b a c k
o f t h e d r a w i n g , i t w o u l d a p p e a rt o h a v e b e e n d o n e i n t h e e a r l y 1 9 5 0 ' s a n d t h e c o n v e r s i o n
w a s e f f e c t e d a t a n R . A . A . F .b a s e i n N e w S o u t h W a l e s , A u s t r a l i a .

A B r i t i s h1 9 0 1 S p a r k b r o o kM . L . E .M k l * r i f l ea c t i o nw a s u t i l i s e d t, h e o t h e r a s s o r t e dS . M . [ - . E .
p a r t s a p p l i e dw e r e p r o b a b l yc h o s e nf r o m a n y a v a i l a b l ea t t h e t i m e . T h e g a s t u b e i s m o u n t e d
a l o n g t h e t o p o f t h e b a r r e lw h i c h w o u l d o b s c u r et h e c o n v e n t i o n a sl i g h t s . I n t h i s c a s e , t h e
o r i g i n a lM a g a z i n eL e e - E n f i e l d
r i f l e w a s a N e w S o u t h W a l e s i s s u e ,r a c k n u m b e r e d8 6 8 9 a n d
i s s u e d a t e d S e p t e m b e r1 9 0 6 .

U n l i k ee a r l i e rL e e - E n f i e l cd o n v e r s i o n st,h e g a s - o p e r a t i n g
s y s t e m i s q u i t e a d v a n c e di n d e s i g n
a n d m o r e c o n t e m p o r a r yw i t h t h e p a r t i c u l a rd e v e l o p m e n tp e r i o di n t h e 1 9 5 0 ' s . T h e r e i s n o
c o c k i n g p i e c e r e q u i r e da n d t h e t r i g g e r s e a r m e c h a n i s m p e r m i t s s e l f - l o a d i n go n l y , r a t h e r
t h a n b e i n g a u t o m a t i c o r s e l e c t i v ef i r e .

LATE AUSTRALIANS.M.L.E.
SELF-LOADIN G CONVERSION -
BOLT/PISTONGROUP
Gas piston rod (37), striker mount (44)
and stem (54) which incorporates the
firing pin (55). The striker stem (54)
operates in a cam slot (52) cut into
the original S.M.L.E. bolt rib (53).
Rearward movement of the rod
"5"
acting via the shaped t//t. 44
slot in the bolt (50) 3 1 ---/' - .> '
t"",
/,7r7 /tt,,
imparts a rotary
action to open
and close the .-/
''/
breech bott.
.\
4h-.'
I r-\
l l \ I
,r a,- :
\'J , , -/
: :2'" \52
't -'t',
' . +/ r rJ4

4 <2

5t
The threaded section of the barrel near the muzzle is for mounting and securingthe gas
b l o c k . T h e g a s p i s t o n i s a f u l l - l e n g t ht y p e w i t h a b r a s s h e a d a n d i n t e r n a lc o i l r e t u r n s p r i n g .

T h e f i r i n g p i n i s i n t e g r a l w i t h t h e p o s t a n d i t o p e r a t e si n t h e b o l t c a m s l o t . T h i s o n e - p i e c e
a r r a n g e m e n ti s a t t a c h e d t o t h e g a s p i s t o n . T h e z i g - z a g s l o t c u t i n t o t h e b o l t r i b s e r v e s t o
c a m t h e b o l t i n t o t h e o p e n i n g a n d c l o s i n g p o s i t i o n s ,d u r i n g m o v e m e n t b a c k w a r d s a n d
f o r w a r d s . T h e o n e - p i e c ef i r i n g p i n a n d o p e r a t i n g p o s t o p e r a t e s d i r e c t l y t h r o u g h a n d u p o n
the middle section of the bolt which resultsin a positivecyclic action.

T h e s e a r o p e r a t e s o n a n i b u n d e r n e a t ht h e b o l t a n d t h e r e f o r e d i s p e n s e sw i t h t h e n e e d f o r
t h e o r i g i n a lS . M . L . E .c o c k i n g p i e c ea t t h e r e a ro f t h e b o l t . T h e c o c k i n g h a n d l ei s f i x e d t o t h e
f i r i n g p i n / p o s t a r r a n g e m e n ta n d t h u s r e c i p r o c a t e sw i t h t h e b o l t . T h i s h o w e v e r , i s a d e c i d e d
disadvantage.

43
The trigger sear mechanism is innovative.lt permits self-loading(semi-auto)only, the trigger
c a n n o t h o l d t h e s e a r d o w n b e c a u s ei t r e q u i r e ss e p a r a t et r i p p i n g f o r e a c h c y c l e . T h e s e a r
post works inside a block which replacesthe originaltrigger/cockingpiece sear bent. Trigger
a n d b o l t s e a r s a r e o n t h e s a m e v e r t i c a l p l u n g e rw h i c h o p e r a t e si n s i d e t h e m u c h - m o d i f i e d
s e a r b e n t . T h e l o w e r t r i g g e r s e a r p o r t i o n i s o n a t o g g l e l i n k s y s t e m w i t h a n e x t e r n a lc o i l
s p r i n g b e h i n d i t , s o a s t o k e e p t h e s e a r i n t h e r e t u r n e dp o s i t i o n .

B e c a u s eo f t h e u n i q u et r i g g e rm e c h a n i s m ,t h e f o r e - w o o di s i n t w o p i e c e s ,s p l i t l o n g i t u d i n a l l y
and secured by two transverse brass screws positioned near the front of this otherwise
sporting style fore-end. This example is an inventor's prototype and function test model.
T h e a b s e n c eo f p r o v i s i o nf o r a n y s i g h t s w o u l d a l s o s e e m t o c o n f i r m t h i s .

Screw holes drilled into the rear of the action body and at the top of the butt at the wrist
would indicatethat some type of protectiveshield was fitted, probably similarto that
shown on the Howell pattern.

O n l y t h e N e w Z e a l a n dC h a r l t o n w a s s e t u p l i k e a l i g h t m a c h i n e g u n a n d i t s s u s t a i n e df i r e
r o l e w o u l d s u r e l y h a v e b e e n s h o r t - l i v e d .l t w a s a n e m e r g e n c ym e a s u r e .T h e s t a n d a r dL e e -
E n f i e l dt e n - r o u n d m a g a z i n ew a s a n o b v i o u s l i m i t a t i o nf o r t h e s e l f - l o a d i n gc o n v e r s i o n s .l t
was during the later stages of developmentthat the various inventorsunderstandablylooked
t o w a r d s i n c r e a s e dc a p a c i t y m a g a z i n e sf o r t h e i r c o n v e r t e d m o d e l s . O n l y t h e C h a r l t o na n d
R e i d e rs e e m s t o h a v e l o g i c a l l ya p p l i e dt h e l a r g e rc a p a c i t y m a g a z i n e .

T h e m o r e r e c e n t A u s t r a l i a nR . A . A . F . p r o t o t y p e d e s c r i b e dh e r e a d d s c e r t a i n i n n o v a t i o n st o
'usual'
the a u t o - l o a d i n gL e e - E n f i e l d e s i g n .T h e s e s h o u l d p e r h a p sb e a t t r i b u t e dm o r e t o t h e
g e n e r a lf i r e a r m sa d v a n c e si n d e s i g nw h i c h h a v e o c c u r r e ds i n c et h e o r i g i n a lw a r t i m e m o d e l s
were conceived and converted.

44
 7.63'^ HOWARD FRANC'S
CARBINE
T h e H o w a r d F r a n c i sc a r b i n e i s a t o t a l l y d i f f e r e n t c o n c e p t t o t h e p r e v i o u s . 3 O 3 - i n .r i f l e s ,
even though it was convertedfrom the same S.M.L.E.firearm.The conversionor its inventors
a t l e a s t w e r e c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e B r i t i s h N a v y a s t h e i n i t i a l a p p r o a c ho n 1 4 t h F e b r u a r y
1 9 4 3 t o t h e O r d n a n c e B o a r d w a s t h r o u g h t h e D . N . O . a n d t h e A d m i r a l t y . P a r t i c u l a r sa n d
d r a w i n g s w e r e f o r w a r d e d f r o m F . O . l . C .S i m o n s t o w nw h i l e t h e s a m p l ec o n v e r s i o nw a s s e n t
bvC.l.N.C.

The ensuing report was dated 31st January 1944 as a result of tests and evaluation
c o n d u c t e d b y t h e C h i e f I n s p e c t o r o f S m a l l A r m s a t W o o l w i c h o n 4 t h D e c e m b e r .T h i s
d e s c r i b e st h e c o n v e r s i o n ,m a k i n g m e n t i o nt h a t t h e b a r r e lw a s s h o r t e n e da n d r e - c h a m b e r e d
b u t t h e b o r e a n d r i f l i n g r e m a i n e dt h e s a m e . T h e t r i g g e r m e c h a n i s mh a s b e e n r e d e s i g n e d .

T h e m a g a z i n eh o u s i n g w a s m o d i f i e d i n t h a t p a r t o f t h e o r i g i n a l S . M . L . E . m a g a z i n ew a s
retainedto act as a brace and to position the new 12-round pistol magazinewhich,
i n c i d e n t a l l y s, u f f e r e d s o m e f e e d p r o b l e m sd u r i n g t e s t s .

T h e r i f l e b o l t a s s e m b l y h a d b e e n r e m o v e d a n d r e p l a c e db y a h e a v y b r e e c h - b l o c kw h i c h
i n c o r p o r a t e da m o v i n g s t r i k e r a n d s t r i k e rs p r i n g w h i c h o s c i l l a t e db a c k w a r d a n d f o r w a r d o n
t h e m o d i f i e d b o d y . T h e u s u a l p r i n c i p l eo f a c o i l s p r i n g w a s u s e d t o s t o r e t h e ' b l o w b a c k '
e n e r g y a n d i m p a r t f o r w a r d m o t i o n t o t h e b r e e c hb l o c k f o r i t s r e t u r n .
'blowback' principle
The mode of action is the ordinary a n d t h e m e c h a n i s ma l w a y s c o m e s
t o r e s t w i t h t h e b r e e c h b l o c k i n t h e f o r w a r d p o s i t i o n ,c l o s e d o n t h e c h a m b e r . T h e s i g h t s
'V'
c o n s i s to f a b l a d et y p e f o r e s i g h tf i x e d t o t h e f r o n t e n d o f t h e b a r r e la n d a f i x e d backsight
T h e r e p o r t n o t e s ' l t i s w e a p o n '
o n t h e b r e e c hb l o c k . a single-shot which must be taken as
n o t b e i n gf u l l y a u t o m a t i c , i n s h o r t , a s e l f - l o a d e r .

S o m e p o o r d e f i n i t i o n p h o t o g r a p h sw e r e i n c l u d e d w i t h t h e r e p o r t , i n c l u d i n g a n e x p l o d e d
p a r t s v i e w w h i c h i s r e p r o d u c e dh e r e a s t h e s p e c i m e ne x a m i n e dw a s n o t a b l e t o b e s t r i p p e d
f o r a s i m i i a ri l l u s t r a t i o n .

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T h e O . B . P r o c . r e p o r t ( N o . 2 6 , 3 7 2 ) o n l o a d i n g ,f i r i n g a n d t h e a c t i o n m e c h a n i s m d o n o t
c o n t a i n i n ga n y t h i n gs u r p r i s i n gs o t h e r e i s n o n e e dt o r e p r o d u c et h e m h e r e .I n t h e f u n c t i o n i n g
t r i a l s , t h e w e a p o n f a i l e d t o s h o o t s o m i n o r r e p a i r sw e r e c a r r i e d o u t a n d i t s t i l l f a i l e d t o
o p e r a t e .L o a d i n ge a c h r o u n d i n d i v i d u a l l y a, c c u r a c yd i a g r a m sw e r e o b t a i n e da t 3 0 , 5 0 . 1 0 0
a n d 2 0 0 y a r d s . A t 3 0 y d s . i t r e c o r d e da 1 x 3 i n . g r o u p , a t 5 0 y d s . a 3 . 5 x 4 . 5 i n . g r o u p , a t
1 0 O y d s . a 6 x 7 i n . g r o u p a n d a t 2 0 0 y d s . t h e s i z e h a d e x p a n d e dt o 1 4 x 1 8 i n c h e s .

I t w a s o b s e r v e dt h a t w h i l e t h e g r o u p i n gw a s c o n s i s t e n ta n d r e a s o n a b l ec l o s e ,t h e M P I w a s
a l w a y s h i g h a n d t o t h e l e f t . T h e r e p o r t c o n c l u d e dt h a t t h e f e e d p r o b l e m r e l a t e d t o t h e
' a l m o s ti n v a r i a b l y
magazine, t h e b r e e c hb l o c k i n i t s f o r w a r d m o v e m e n t r o d e o v e r t h e l e a d i n g
r o u n d i n t h e m a g a z i n ei n s t e a d o f i t b e i n g f e d i n t o t h e c h a m b e r . '

C o n c l u d i n gt h e r e p o r t , t h e O r d n a n c e B o a r d n o t e d t h a t t h e w e a p o n n e e d e d f u r t h e r
d e v e l o p m e n t .T h i s s e e m s t o h a v e b e e n t h e e n d o f t h e m a t t e r a s t h e H o w a r d F r a n c i sc a r b i n e
d o e s n o t a p p e a ra g a i n l a t e r .

46
M a r k i n g sf o u n d , o r l i k e l y t o b e f o u n d , o n t h e D e L i s l e C o m m a n d o C a r b i n e sa n d s e l f -
l o a d i n ga n d a u t o m a t i cc o n v e r s i o n sa r e r e l a t i v et o t h e o r i g i n a rl i fl e f r o m w h i c h t h e c o n v e r s i o n
w a s m a d e a n d a n y m a r k i n g st h a t m a y h a v e b e e n s t a m p e d o r e n g r a v e dd u r i n g a n d a f t e r
c o n v e r s i o nT. h i s i s i m p o r t a n ta s r e p r o d u c t i o n os f t h i s c l a s so f L e e - E n f i e l ad r e a v a i l a b l ea n d
t h e v a l u e o f a n o r i g i n a lp i e c e c o m p a r e dw i t h a m o d e r nf a c s i m i l ei s c o n s i d e r a b l e .

D e L i s l ec a r b i n e sw e r e c o n v e r t e df r o m N o . 1 r i f l e s ,s o t h e r e c e i v e rw i l l h a v e t h e o r i g i n a l
m a k e r ' s n a m e o n t h e b u t t s o c k e t , b e n e a t ht h e b o l t h a n d l e .S o m e D e L i s l e r e p l i c a sh a v e
b e e n o f f e r e d m o r e r e c e n t l y ,t h o s e b u i l t o n t h e N o . 4 a c t i o n a r e o b v i o u s r e p r o d u c t i o n s .
S t e r l i n ga n d s u b - c o n t r a c t o mr a r k s o r c o d e s a r e o f t e n e v i d e n to n o r i g i n a lc o n v e r s i o n s -
S t e r l i n gE n g i n e e r i n g S.E.Co s109
S t e r l i n gA r m a m e n t , N o r t h a m p t o n M619
C . F .M o o r e& S o n s CFM S23B
H . W e b b & C o . , L o n d o nN 1 7 s293
H o l l a n d& H o l l a n d , L o n d o n s51
E n fi e l d R S A F r e p a i rp r o g r a m ,i 9 4 8 FTR- 48
G o v e r n m e n ta c c e o t a n c em a r k s /1\ -{\

O t h e r L e e - E n f i e l cd o m p o n e n t sw e r e c a n n i b a l i s e d
o r d r a w n f r o m n e w m a d e s p a r e s .N e w
timber furniturewas beech insteadof walnut and other featuresof WW2 No.1 rifle
p r o d u c t i o na r e l i k e l yt o b e n o t i c e d i n e x a m i n i n gD e L i s l ec o n v e r s i o n s T . hereare marked
d i f f e r e n c e sb e t w e e n t h e F o r d D a g e n h a mm o d e l s a n d S t e r l i n gE n g i n e e r i n g p r o d u c t i o n ,i n
t h e s i g h t s , f u r n i t u r e , m a g a z i n e ,m u z z l e a n d m e t a l f i n i s h . R i f l e d e s i g n a t i o na n d s e r i a l
n u m b e r i n go f t h e c a r b i n e s ,s t a m p e di n t h e a p p r o p r i a t ep o s i t i o n s i, s a l s o a g o o d i n d i c a t o r .

C h a r l t o n ,H o w e l l , R i e d e r ,E k i n s ,H o w a r d F r a n c i sa n d s u c h s e l f - l o a d i n cg o n v e r s i o n sc a n n o t
b e s o e a s i l y g e n e r a l i s e du p o n . T h e r e a r e a f e w r e c e n t l y - b u i l tC h a r l t o n r i f l e s i n c o l l e c t i o n s
a s o r i g i n adl r a w i n g sa n d p l a n sh a v e b e e nu s e d i n t h e i r c o n s t r u c t i o nA . g a i n ,a g o o d k n o w l e d g e
o f L e e - E n f i e l dr i f l e m a n u f a c t u r ea n d t h e i r m a r k i n g sa r e i n s t r u m e n t a li n h e l p i n gt o d e t e c t a
m o d e r n r e p r o d u c t i o no r a f a k e .

S i m i l a r l yw i t h c o p i e s o f t h e o t h e r a u t o - l o a d i n gc o n v e r s i o n s ,a g o o d r e f e r e n c e l i b r a r y i s
n e c e s s a r yt o h e l p d e t e r m i n e m o s t f a k e s . I n a n y r e p r o d u c t i o n ,t h e r e i s l i k e l y t o b e s o m e
clues offered which can be detected by the educated eye. Prototypes often have
i d e n t i ifc a t i o nn u m b e r so r i n d i c a t o r sf o r l o g g i n gd u r i n gt e s t s .

T h e m o r e m o d e r n L e e - E n f i e l dc o n v e r s i o nf e a t u r e d o n p a g e s 4 2 - 4 3 c a m e a l o n g w i t h
e n g i n e e r i n gd r a w i n g s a n d t h e s o u r c e r e v e a l e ds o m e o f t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e p a r t i c u l a rr i f l e .
T h e r e f o r et h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o nw a s n o t a v e r y d i f f i c u l t p r o c e s s .P r o b a b l yt h e b i g g e s t m y s t e r y
r e g a r d i n gt h i s r i fl e i s w h y a n e a r l yM a g a z i n eL e e - E n f i e l dw a s u s e d a s t h e b a s i sf o r c o n v e r s i o n
r a t h e rt h a n a l a t e r m o d e l S M L E . M o s t e n g i n e e r i n gd r a w i n g s a r e d a t e d o r m a r k e d w h i c h
p r o v i d ef u r t h e r c l u e s a s t o t h e i r o r i g i n a n d h i s t o r y . O f f i c i a l ,p a t e n t , f a c t o r y a n d s e r v i c e
d r a w i n g sa n d s k e t c h e sa r e a l s o s i m i l a r l ya n n o t a t e d .

47