L1A1 7.62 mm self-loading rifle, 1959

Made at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, 1959.

A British version of the FN FAL rifle produced by the Belgian manufacturer Fabrique National Herstal, the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) became an icon of the British Army. It was used throughout the Cold War, in the Falklands campaign (1982) and in security operations in Northern Ireland. It was the main rifle for the Army from 1954 until it was replaced with the L85A1 (SA80) from 1985.

This is an early production model with walnut wood furniture and fitted with telescopic sight mounts. Later versions had synthetic furniture made from a cheaper and more durable nylon and fibreglass composite called Maranyl.