Besal facts for kids
The Besal was a special type of light machine gun designed in Britain during World War II. Its full name was "Gun, Light, Machine, Faulkner, .303-inch". This weapon was created as a simpler and cheaper alternative to the Bren gun, which was the main light machine gun used by the British army at the time. The idea behind the Besal was to make a machine gun that was easier and faster to build, especially if factories were attacked during the war.
Quick facts for kids Besal |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Used by | standby design |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | H. Faulkner |
| Designed | 1940 |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | .303 British |
| Calibre | .303 in (7.7 mm) |
| Action | Gas-operated |
| Rate of fire | 600 rpm |
| Feed system | 30-round Bren-compatible magazines |
| Sights | Iron sights |
Contents
Why Was the Besal Created?
During World War II, Britain needed many weapons quickly. The main light machine gun, the Bren gun, was excellent but took time to make. It was also produced at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield. This factory was close enough to be bombed by German planes.
A Simpler Design
Because of this danger, British leaders wanted a backup plan. They needed a machine gun that could be made easily. The Besal was designed to be lighter and simpler than the Bren. It was also cheaper to produce. This meant it could be made in many different factories. It would not rely only on the Enfield factory.
What Happened to the Besal?
Even though the Besal was a good idea, it never went into mass production. This means it was not made in large numbers for the army. The threat to the Bren gun factories became less serious over time. So, the Besal was no longer seen as urgently needed. It remained a prototype, a design that showed promise but was not widely used in the war.
The Name and Its Creator
The Besal was designed by a person named Harry Faulkner. He worked for the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA). This company also made a larger machine gun called the Besa. The name "Besa" was a nickname for the company, BSA.
A Lighter Version
The Besal was meant to be a "Besa-light" version. This means it was a lighter and smaller version of the Besa machine gun. However, "Besal" was not its official name. Its proper name was "Gun, Light, Machine, Faulkner, .303-inch." This long name included the designer's name and the type of ammunition it used.
