Godsal Bullpup 11005: The Story of an English Test Rifle in Montreal

Abstract

The aim of this article is threefold: to provide a general description of the Godsal bullpup rifle, to describe Godsal rifle 11005 in detail, and to follow that rifle’s voyage from 1905 Birmingham to 21st century Montreal. The general description draws on published articles, patent documents, and comparisons to other specific weapons. The detailed description of 11005 includes precise measurements (of the entire assembly as well as individual pieces after dismantling), comparisons to other rifles, and observations noted after cycling through the action of the weapon. The voyage of Godsal 11005 is revealed via a series of markings found on it, some of which are familiar to the public, some of which will be presented and explained in this article.