Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Rieder Automatic Rifle

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Type
  
Automatic Rifle

Designed
  
1940

Length
  
1130 mm

Place of origin
  
South Africa

Produced
  
1941–

Cartridge
  
.303 British

The Rieder Automatic Rifle was a fully automatic Lee–Enfield SMLE rifle conversion of South African origin. The Rieder device could be installed quickly with the use of simple tools. A similar weapon of New Zealand origin was the Charlton Automatic Rifle.

While the rifle had no select fire capability, single shots could be achieved by releasing the trigger quickly. Alternatively the bolt could be operated manually if the gas vein was closed. Prototype rifles fitted with the "Rieder Attachment" or device were tested on bipod and tripod mounts and proved reliable with little maintenance, although recommendations were made to change the sight system to take account of vibration during automatic fire.

References

Rieder Automatic Rifle Wikipedia