The L1A1 and other inch-pattern derivatives trace their lineage back to the Allied Rifle Commission of the 1950s, whose intention was to introduce a single rifle and cartridge that would serve as standard issue for all NATO countries.
After briefly adopting the Rifle No.
9 Mk 1 with a 7 mm intermediate cartridge, the UK, believing that, if they adopted the Belgian FAL and the American 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, the United States would do the same, adopted the L1A1 as a standard issue rifle in 1954.
The US, however, did not adopt any variant of the FAL, opting for its own M14 rifle instead.

The L1A1 subsequently served as the UK's first-line battle rifle up to the 1980s before being replaced by the 5.56mm L85A1.
The L1A1 and other inch-pattern derivatives trace their lineage back to the Allied Rifle Commission of the 1950s, whose intention was to introduce a single rifle and cartridge that would serve as standard issue for all NATO countries. After briefly adopting the Rifle No. 9 Mk 1 with a 7 mm intermediate cartridge, the UK, believing that, if they adopted the Belgian FAL and the American 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, the United States would do the same, adopted the L1A1 as a standard issue rifle in 1954. The US, however, did not adopt any variant of the FAL, opting for its own M14 rifle instead.
The L1A1 subsequently served as the UK's first-line battle rifle up to the 1980s before being replaced by the 5.56mm L85A1.
L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle