EM-2

[meles meles]

We're a smart species...

[saddler]

...and it may have been the British Armys first bullpup rifle if Winston Churchill had not pulled the plug on its development...

It WAS the first bull-pup & was given the service designation - Rifle, No.9

[Strangely Brown]

It WAS the first bull-pup & was given the service designation - Rifle, No.9

Actually the Thorneycroft (James Baird Thorneycroft) is regarded as the first bullpup to be considered by the British Army in 1902, it was a contender against the SMLE in the trials of that year.

Edited to add:
I have also seen a Flintlock (or possible percusion?) bullpup in a collction somewhere, possibly the Small Arms collection at Warminster?
I dare say asbestos ear muffs would be the order of the day!

[Dougan]

Great films, and a very cool rifle that I've never heard of before tongueout

I wonder what the one he had, all boxed up and with all the bits would be worth...?

[meles meles]

A stack o' nuts, skwirrel...

[saddler]

It WAS the first bull-pup & was given the service designation - Rifle, No.9

Actually the Thorneycroft (James Baird Thorneycroft) is regarded as the first bullpup to be considered by the British Army in 1902...

I know of the earlier designs, such as the Thorneycroft, but the previous post to mine was regarding ADOPTED rifles, not trials examples.

[rufrdr]

Alas, us left-handed shooters are left out when the EM2 or SA80 are on the range! The .280 round reminds me a lot of the .276 Pedersen round, I believe they are similar in trajectory and velocity. The .276 Pedersen was popular in the U.S. pre-WW2 when the government surplused off lots of rounds remaining from the Pedersen vs. Garand tests.

[Rearlugs]

Alas, us left-handed shooters are left out when the EM2 or SA80 are on the range! The .280 round reminds me a lot of the .276 Pedersen round, I believe they are similar in trajectory and velocity. The .276 Pedersen was popular in the U.S. pre-WW2 when the government surplused off lots of rounds remaining from the Pedersen vs. Garand tests.

The Warminster collection actually has a couple of left-hand late pre-production SA80s - so they were developed!

Actually, I can understand why left-handed rifles were not issued; it would only be a matter of time before someone got their teeth knocked out by using the "wrong" rifle.

[Sandgroper]

Alas, us left-handed shooters are left out when the EM2 or SA80 are on the range! The .280 round reminds me a lot of the .276 Pedersen round, I believe they are similar in trajectory and velocity. The .276 Pedersen was popular in the U.S. pre-WW2 when the government surplused off lots of rounds remaining from the Pedersen vs. Garand tests.

The Warminster collection actually has a couple of left-hand late pre-production SA80s - so they were developed!

Actually, I can understand why left-handed rifles were not issued; it would only be a matter of time before someone got their teeth knocked out by using the "wrong" rifle.

Different firearm, I know, but never had that problem with the Steyr. I was issued with a LH one for most of my service after starting with a RH one - being LH (or ambidexterous) was quite sort after by the sections/patrols. We were also taught how to fire it offhand - not a very accurate technique but at least it got rounds downrange!

[Rearlugs]

Different firearm, I know, but never had that problem with the Steyr. I was issued with a LH one for most of my service after starting with a RH one - being LH (or ambidexterous) was quite sort after by the sections/patrols. We were also taught how to fire it offhand - not a very accurate technique but at least it got rounds downrange!

IIRC there is/was a drill for firing the SA80 around left-hand cover. The butt of the rifle had to be held in the left hand, instead of in the shoulder. Fairly wobbly and inaccurate, and not possible to use the optics because of the eye relief. Not sure if anyone has ever used that position in contact, or whether it has been removed from the pamphlets.