British L1A1 - Self Loading Rifle (Inch Pattern FN FAL derivative) - "The Right Hand of the Free World"

BSA / Imbel Restoration - Workhorse Shooter

BSA / Enterprise - 1 Gun Parts kit Custom Build.

As the Cold War took familair and stable patterns the NATO nations sought a commonised Rifle platform - most of Europe chose the FN FAL (metric family and derivatives. The British and her Commonwealth chose to license and modify the design with "Inch pattern" updates. A folding charging handle - required different upper receiver machined slots, similarly a braised lug to retain the magazine needed a slot in the upper receiver and the steel top cover received lugs that needed corresponding receiver slots. Other small compoents saw revisions / changes also - front sight blade, rear sight slide, receiver lock release and on.. The British also added cross cuts to the bolt housing - "sand relief slots" and went about their own parts numbering and rifle serializing patterns.

BSA / Imbel Restoration - Workhorse Shooter

The second first rifle example and rifle type I purchased and studied when I returned to shooting in PA around 2026 - an L1A1 Self Loading Rifle as the British Called it - bought used at an Eagle Arms "Casino" show. Built from an all British parts kit using an FN licensed (Brazil) Imbel receiver that was an early CAI import, the lower receiver was made by BSA in 1959. This device has had many cosmetic iterations in my hands!

Originally in the "Maryanyl" (black polymer stocks), I switched them out for Indian made wood that was marked for a "HQ" unit. Its also had a couple of SUIT sights on and off over time - original British examples on original British mounts. Now it sits with a prototype and surplused Canadian "charger loader" top cover.

The last set of wood it received was a mixed Commonwealth set in better overall condition - an Australian Slazenger made "Coachwood" stock, a British pistol grip with early wooden 'popsicle stick" and better looking but spurious origin wooden front guard!

I did have the neutered barrel (Clinton Assault ban compliant) rethreaded and an original British muzzle device re-applied - it awaits a potential Suncorite blackening of all metal.

It's my "workhorse" shooter - having the most rounds through it of all time - now reserved fro fun plinks with friends. It has been consistently voted the "loudest firearm on the mountain".

BSA / Enterprise - 1 Gun Parts kit Custom Build.

Here is a "One firearm" built kit - an BSA 1959 example that was custom ordered by Collins Militaria - built with a late run Enterprise upper receiver that was serial matched to the lower and the whole thing Suncorited - in original Maryanyl furniture. This rifle is no longer in the ArtioZen collection.