Rieder automatic rifle

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.^[1] A similar weapon of New Zealand origin was the Charlton automatic rifle.

Rieder automatic rifle
Type	Automatic rifle
Place of origin	South Africa
Production history
Designed	1940
Produced	1941
Specifications
Length	1130 mm
Cartridge	.303 British
Action	Gas/bolt action
Feed system	10-round magazine or 30-round Bren gun magazine
Sights	Iron

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.^[2]

See also

• Ekins automatic rifle
• Howard Francis semi-automatic carbine
• Howell automatic rifle
• Huot automatic rifle