The Rifle Factory Ishapore (also known as Ishapore Arsenal) is an Indian state-owned arms manufacturing unit located at Ichhapur in the state of West Bengal.
The first arms manufacturing facility on the site was a gunpowder factory, which was started in 1787 by Tipu Sultan and began production in 1791, whilst a gun & carriage manufacturing facility was set up nearby in 1801.
In 1904, a rifle factory was established by the British at Ichhapur, anglicized as Ishapore, and began production of the Lee–Enfield rifle, which has continued- more or less- until the mid-1980s, and possibly the present. The factory also manufactured the Vickers-Berthier (VB) light machine gun, which was adopted in 1932 by the Indian Army and still remains in reserve use.[1]
Military rifles manufactured at Ishapore 1949 and pre-1949 are stamped "GRI" on the buttsocket, referring to George Rex, Imperator (i.e. King George VI, last Emperor of India), whilst military rifles manufactured 1949 and post-1948 are stamped "RFI", which stands for Rifle Factory, Ishapore.
^Bishop, Chris The Encyclopaedia of Weapons of World War II page 245 (Amber Books, London, 1998) ISBN978-1-905704-46-0
^"OFB develops new rifle for army in quick time | Nagpur News - Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
^"Rifle Factory Ishapore to display Ghatak Assault Rifle during Ordnance Factories Day celebrations | Kolkata News - Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2015-03-17. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
^"Rifle factory celebrates 106 years of glory | Kolkata News - Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2009-09-27. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
External links
Ordnance Factory Board of India website
March 12, 2023
rifle, factory, ishapore, other, uses, ichhapur, disambiguation, coordinates, also, known, ishapore, arsenal, indian, state, owned, arms, manufacturing, unit, located, ichhapur, state, west, bengal, typedivisionindustrydefencefounded1904, years, 1904, headquar. For other uses see Ichhapur disambiguation Coordinates 22 48 11 N 88 22 08 E 22 803 N 88 369 E 22 803 88 369 The Rifle Factory Ishapore also known as Ishapore Arsenal is an Indian state owned arms manufacturing unit located at Ichhapur in the state of West Bengal Rifle Factory IshaporeTypeDivisionIndustryDefenceFounded1904 119 years ago 1904 HeadquartersIchhapur IndiaKey peopleP K Behera General Manager ParentAdvanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited current Ordnance Factory Board Till 2021 Websiteddpdoo gov inHistory EditThe first arms manufacturing facility on the site was a gunpowder factory which was started in 1787 by Tipu Sultan and began production in 1791 whilst a gun amp carriage manufacturing facility was set up nearby in 1801 In 1904 a rifle factory was established by the British at Ichhapur anglicized as Ishapore and began production of the Lee Enfield rifle which has continued more or less until the mid 1980s and possibly the present The factory also manufactured the Vickers Berthier VB light machine gun which was adopted in 1932 by the Indian Army and still remains in reserve use 1 Military rifles manufactured at Ishapore 1949 and pre 1949 are stamped GRI on the buttsocket referring to George Rex Imperator i e King George VI last Emperor of India whilst military rifles manufactured 1949 and post 1948 are stamped RFI which stands for Rifle Factory Ishapore The 303 British calibre Short Magazine Lee Enfield Mk III the 7 62 51mm NATO calibre Ishapore 2A1 rifle and the 7 62mm NATO L1A1 Self Loading Rifle were manufactured at the factory It now manufactures the 5 56mm INSAS rifle assault rifle Kalantak rifle Ghatak rifle 7 62 39mm AKM style assault rifle 2 3 7 62 Sniper Rifles and Pistol Auto 9mm 1A for military and other firearms such as IOF 22 revolver IOF 315 sporting rifle IOF 30 06 sporting rifle and IOF 22 sporting rifle 4 for civilian customers The factory was administered by the Ordnance Factory Board of India till 2021 when it was corporatised under the ownership of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited References Edit Bishop Chris The Encyclopaedia of Weapons of World War II page 245 Amber Books London 1998 ISBN 978 1 905704 46 0 OFB develops new rifle for army in quick time Nagpur News Times of India Timesofindia indiatimes com 2017 03 23 Retrieved 2018 04 15 Rifle Factory Ishapore to display Ghatak Assault Rifle during Ordnance Factories Day celebrations Kolkata News Times of India Timesofindia indiatimes com 2015 03 17 Retrieved 2018 04 15 Rifle factory celebrates 106 years of glory Kolkata News Times of India Timesofindia indiatimes com 2009 09 27 Retrieved 2018 04 15 External links EditOrdnance Factory Board of India website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rifle Factory Ishapore amp oldid 1116651631, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
