Howell Automatic Rifle

The Howell Automatic Rifle is a semi automatic conversion of the Lee–Enfield rifle. The weapon was reliable with the gas piston on the right side of the gun but unergonomic for the user as the force of the recoiling bolt interfered with handling and since the gun was dramatic when fired. Similar conversions were the South African Rieder and Charlton of New Zealand origin which had full automatic capability. During early World War II when supplies were low, some Howell Rifles were issued to the Home Guard.