View source for De Lisle carbine

{{Short description|British World War II suppressed rifle}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name=De Lisle commando carbine 
|image=[[Image:De Lisle Rifle.jpg|300px]]
[[Image:De Lisle Carbine Folding Stock.jpg|300px]]
|caption= 
De Lisle Carbine. Top, with wooden stock. Bottom, with folding stock from a [[Sterling submachine gun|Patchett submachine gun]]
|origin=United Kingdom
|type=[[Pistol-caliber carbine]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_UK=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=1943–1965 
|used_by=United Kingdom
|wars=
* [[World War II]]
* [[Korean War]]
* [[Malayan Emergency]]
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=William G. De Lisle 
|design_date=1942
|manufacturer=Ford Dagenham (17 prototypes)<br /> [[Sterling Armaments Company]]
|production_date=1942–1945
|number= 129
|variants= Ford Dagenham Prototypes <br /> Folding stock parachute carbine, only one example produced
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight=7 lb 8 oz (3.74 kg), unloaded <ref name="Peterson2011">{{cite book|last=Peterson|first=Philip|title=Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aftMDn2bd14C&pg=PA220|access-date=29 July 2013|year=2011|publisher=F+W Media|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-2881-0|page=220}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|length=35.3 in  <ref name="rome28"/>
|part_length= {{convert|8.25|in|mm}}<ref name="Peterson2011"/>
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> 
|cartridge=[[.45 ACP]] (11.43×23mm)
|caliber=.45
|action= [[Bolt action]]
|rate= 15–25 rounds/minute
|velocity= about  {{convert|830|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}
|range= 200 yd (185 m)
|max_range=400 yd (365 m)
|feed=7 or 11-round detachable magazine 
|sights=Ford Dagenham: [[Winchester rifle]] sight at rear, simple ramp with modified P-14 front sight protector at front. <br /> Sterling models: [[Lanchester submachine gun|Lanchester Mk I]] rear sight (later changed to Lanchester Mk I*), [[windage]] adjustable front sight. <br /> Airborne model: Lanchester Mk I rear sight, windage adjustable front sight}}

The '''De Lisle carbine''' or '''De Lisle commando carbine'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://warheritage.be/en/british-lisle-commando-carbine-integrated-suppressor | title=British de Lisle Commando Carbine with integrated silencer &#124; War Heritage Institute }}</ref> was a British firearm used during [[World War II]] that was designed with an integrated [[Silencer (firearms)|silencer]]. That, combined with its use of subsonic ammunition, made it extremely quiet in action, possibly one of the quietest firearms ever made.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Special Service Lee Enfields: Commando and Auto Models |first=Ian |last=Skennerton |location=Ashmore City, Qld |publisher=Ian D. Skennerton |date=2001 |isbn=0-949749-37-0}}{{page needed|date=May 2021}}</ref>

Few were manufactured as their use was limited to specialist military units.<ref>Secret Warfare, The arms and techniques of the resistance by Pierre Lorain, adapted by David Kahn (1984), {{ISBN|0856135860}}</ref>

==History==
The weapon was designed as a private venture by William Godfray de Lisle (known as Godfray), an engineer who worked for the [[Air Ministry]].<ref>Rome, p.31</ref> He made the first prototype in [[.22 Long Rifle|.22 calibre]]; this he tested by shooting rabbits and other small game for the table, near his home on the [[Berkshire Downs]].<ref name="rome27">Rome, p.27</ref> In 1943, he approached Major [[Sir Malcolm Campbell]] of [[Combined Operations Headquarters|Combined Operations]] with his prototype; this was informally tested by firing the weapon into the [[River Thames]] from the roof of the [[Adelphi, London|New Adelphi building in London]]. This was chosen to discover if people in the street below heard it firing – they did not.<ref name="rome27"/> A patent, number 579,168 was filed by De Lisle on May 8.<ref name="rifleman">{{cite web |url=https://www.rifleman.org.uk/DeLisle_Silenced_Commando_Carbine.html |title=The De Lisle Silenced Commando Carbine |website=U.K. Historic Arms Resource Centre |access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref>

Combined Operations officials were impressed with the weapon and requested De Lisle produce a [[9×19mm Parabellum|9 mm]] version. However, this was a failure. A third prototype, using the [[.45 ACP]] cartridge that was favoured by de Lisle, was much more successful. Tests of this showed the weapon had acceptable accuracy, produced no visible [[muzzle flash]] and was inaudible at a distance of {{convert|50|yd|m}}.<ref name="rome28">Rome, p.28</ref>

Subsequent official firing tests recorded the De Lisle produced 85.5&nbsp;dB of noise when fired.<ref name="rome29"/> As a comparison, modern testing on a selection of handguns has shown that they produce 156 to 168&nbsp;dB when firing without a silencer, and 117 to 140&nbsp;dB when firing with one fitted.<ref name="results">{{cite web |url=http://silencertalk.com/results.htm|title=Results |first=Robert |last=Silvers |year=2005 |website=Silencertalk.com |access-date=2009-03-09}}</ref> The De Lisle's quietness was found to be comparable to the British [[Welrod]] pistol. However, the Welrod was useful only at very short range and used fabric and rubber components in the silencer that required replacement after a few shots. The De Lisle was able to fire hundreds of rounds before the silencer required disassembly for cleaning.<ref name="rifleman"/>

Combined Operations requested a small production run of De Lisle carbines and an initial batch of 17 were hand–made by [[Ford Dagenham]], with Godfray De Lisle himself released from his Air Ministry duties so he could work full-time on the project; this initial batch was immediately put into combat use by the [[British Commandos]].<ref name="rome29">Rome, p.29</ref> In 1944, the [[Sterling Armaments Company]] was given an order for 500 De Lisle carbines, but eventually only produced around 130.<ref name="rome29"/> The Sterling version differed in a number of details from the earlier, Ford Dagenham model. Two prototypes of a further version, for [[airborne forces]], were made. These had folding stocks, similar to those fitted to [[Sterling submachine gun]]s.<ref name="rome30">Rome, p.30</ref>

De Lisle's own .22 prototype was given to the [[National Army Museum]] in London, but it was subsequently lost and its present whereabouts are unknown.<ref name="rifleman"/>

===Combat use===
During the remainder of World War II, the De Lisle carbine was mainly used by the commandos, although they also saw some use by the [[Special Operations Executive]] (SOE).<ref name="rome32"/> [[E. Michael Burke]], the American former commander of a [[Operation Jedburgh|Jedburgh Team]], stated that a De Lisle was used by them to assassinate two senior German officers in 1944.<ref name="rome32"/>

A number of De Lisles were used during the [[Burma Campaign]] to eliminate Japanese sentries.<ref name="SODLC">{{cite web | url=https://specialoperations.com/28973/de-lisle-carbine-forgotten-reaper/ | title=The de Lisle Carbine: Forgotten Reaper | date=13 September 2019 }}</ref> The De Lisle would also be used during the [[Korean War]] and the [[Malayan Emergency]].<ref name="rome32"/>

[[United States Army Special Forces|US Army Special Forces]] - [[Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group|MACV-SOG]] used the weapon for many years in the [[Vietnam War]], according to MSG Reinald "Magnet Ass" Pope in a 2024 interview.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jan 10, 2024 |title=Jungle phantom evading the NVA: MSG Reinald "Magnet Ass" Pope, MACV SOG |website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adSbtjVmhpg}}</ref>{{page needed|time=yes|date=April 2024}} {{better source needed|date=September 2024}}

It has been claimed the weapon was also used by the [[Special Air Service]] during the [[Northern Irish Troubles]].<ref name="rome32">Rome, p.32</ref>

==Design==
[[Image:Evers De Lisle carbine.PNG|thumb|left|The initial wooden-[[Stock (firearms)|stocked]] De Lisle with a fitted [[Silencer (firearms)|silencer]]]]

The De Lisle was based on a [[Lee–Enfield#Short Magazine Lee–Enfield Mk III|Short Magazine, Lee–Enfield Mk III*]] converted to [[.45 ACP]]. The [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]] was modified, altering the [[Bolt (firearm)|bolt]]/bolthead, replacing the [[Gun barrel|barrel]] with a modified [[Thompson submachine gun]] barrel (six grooves, RH twist), and using modified [[Magazine (firearms)|magazines]] from the [[M1911 pistol]].<ref name="SODLC"/> The primary feature of the De Lisle was its extremely effective [[Silencer (firearms)|silencer]], which made it very quiet in action. The silencer reduced the sound of the firearm discharging to such a degree that working the bolt (to chamber the next round) produced a louder noise than firing a cartridge.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hogg |first1=Ian |last2=Weeks |first2=John |title=Military Small Arms of the 20th Century |publisher=Arms & Armour Press |year=1977 |page=128 |isbn=978-0-85368-301-8}}</ref>

The .45 ACP cartridge was selected as its muzzle velocity is subsonic for typical barrel lengths; consequently it would both retain its full lethality and not require custom-loaded ammunition to use with a silencer. Most rifle rounds are supersonic, where the bullet generates a "[[sonic boom]]" like any other object traveling at supersonic velocities, making them unsuitable for covert purposes. The Thompson gun barrel was "ported" (i.e. drilled with holes) to provide a controlled release of high pressure gas into the silencer that surrounds it before the bullet leaves the barrel. The silencer, {{convert|2|in|cm}} in diameter, went all the way from the back of the barrel to well beyond the [[Muzzle (firearms)|muzzle]], making up half the overall length of the weapon.

The silencer provided a very large volume to contain the gases produced by firing; this was one of the keys to its effectiveness.<ref name="Bishop2002">{{cite book |last=Bishop |first=Chris |title=The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II |year=2002 |publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. |isbn=978-1-58663-762-0 |pages=220–221}}</ref> The [[MP5SD]] and [[AS Val]] are among other modern firearms that use the same concept.

The Lee–Enfield bolt was shortened to feed the .45 ACP rounds; the Lee–Enfield's magazine set-up was replaced with a new assembly that held a modified M1911 magazine. The bolt operation offered an advantage in that the shooter could refrain from chambering the next round if absolute silence was required after firing; a [[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] weapon would not have offered this option as the cycling of the bolt coupled with rearward escaping propellant gas and the clink of the empty case against any hard surface would produce a noise with each shot.<ref name="blindcat">{{cite web |url=http://lrdg.hegewisch.net/unlikely_weapons.html |title=LRDG Weapons |work=The LRDG, Long Range Desert Group |publisher=BlindKat Publishers |access-date=5 June 2011}}{{page needed|date=July 2024}}</ref> While the carbine was silent, it was not very accurate.<ref name="Dockery2007">{{cite book |last=Dockery |first=Kevin |title=Stalkers and Shooters: A History of Snipers |year=2007 |publisher=BERKLEY Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-425-21542-5 |pages=226–227}}</ref>

==Clones==
In 1970, MAC developed a 9&nbsp;mm carbine called the "Destroyer",<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.historicalfirearms.info/post/141628223744/de-lisle-silenced-commando-carbine-the-de-lisle | title=Historical Firearms - de Lisle Silenced Commando Carbine the de Lisle }}</ref> inspired by the need for a silenced weapon to be used in special forces missions during the Vietnam War.<ref name="SAR">{{cite web | url=https://smallarmsreview.com/mitch-werbells-silenced-destroyer-carbine-2/ | title=MITCH WERBEll's SILENCED DESTROYER CARBINE - Small Arms Review | date=March 2002 }}</ref> The first models were based on the [[Destroyer carbine]] with five variants made.<ref name="SAR"/>

===Modern reproductions===
A reproduction of the .45 calibre carbine is manufactured by the American company Valkyrie Arms based on original specifications.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.valkyriearms.com/delisle.html |title=DeLisle Commando Carbine |date=22 September 2011 |website=Valkyrie Arms}}</ref>

Special Interest Arms, for a time, produced limited quantities of a De Lisle replica which incorporated an improved magazine adapter system that allows the use of unmodified M1911 magazines and also fully supports the barrel chamber in the action, later discontinued.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.specialinterestarms.com/index.php?page=delisle |title=De Lisle Silent Carbine |website=Special Interest Arms |access-date=16 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414095206/http://www.specialinterestarms.com/index.php?page=delisle |archive-date=14 April 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In May 22m2024, US Armament Manufacturing announced pre-orders for a reproduction of the De Lisle carbine.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2024/05/22/new-delisle-carbines-coming-from-us-armament-manufacturing/ | title=New DeLisle Carbines Coming from US Armament Manufacturing | date=22 May 2024 }}</ref>

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Formerly used by British special forces in WWII and in the Malayan Emergency.<ref>https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1982-01-53-1</ref>
* {{flag|United States}}<ref name="rome32" />

==See also==
*[[Sten#Suppressed models|Sten]]—there were silenced versions of the Sten, also used to shoot silently.
*{{annotated link|Welrod}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite journal |last=Rome |first=Robert|date=June 1984|title=WWII Silent Killer Still Lives |journal=Gung Ho |pages=26–32 |url=http://www.valkyriearms.com/images/delisle.pdf}}
*{{cite book |last=Skennerton |first=Ian |title=Special Service Lee-Enfields: Commando & Auto Models |series=Small Arms Identification |volume=13 |publisher=Arms & Militaria Press |date=2001 |isbn=0-949749-37-0}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMei19G_hqA&feature=fvsr Delisle Carbine in use on YouTube]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtzaVil5joc The DeLisle: Britain's Silenced .45 ACP Commando Carbine - Forgotten Weapons on YouTube]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik59Ub9seIw The De Lisle 'Commando' Carbine with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson - Royal Armouries on YouTube]

{{WW2 Brit Comm Infantry Guns}}
{{BritishEmpireWeapons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:De Lisle Carbine}}
[[Category:.45 ACP firearms]]
[[Category:Bolt-action rifles of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Silenced firearms]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1942]]