Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How has the sniper rifle evolved over the last 100 years? It's time to find out!
Luke Tomes returns to the Royal Armouries to fire some of the most iconic British sniper rifles of the last 100 years. As always, he is joined by Keeper of Firearms & Artillery, Jonathan Ferguson, who talks him through the history, design and development of each rifle, showcasing how British military sniping has evolved from the battlefields of the Second World War to the modern era.
First up is the Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I (T), the dedicated sniper variant of the British Lee-Enfield rifle developed during the Second World War. Chambered in .303 British, the No. 4 Mk. I (T) was selected for its accuracy and fitted with a telescopic sight, transforming the already proven Lee-Enfield into a specialist precision weapon. Used extensively by British and Commonwealth forces, it combined the fast, smooth action of the Lee-Enfield with the precision required for long-range shooting. It established a foundation for British military sniping that would influence specialist rifles for decades to come.
Second is the L42A1, which represented the next major step in the evolution of the British military sniper rifle. Introduced in the 1970s, the L42A1 was developed from the No. 4 Lee-Enfield and converted to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, reflecting the wider adoption of the NATO standard. Retaining the familiar Lee-Enfield action while incorporating a new calibre and improved telescopic sighting system, the L42A1 served British forces for several decades. It demonstrated how a proven wartime design could be adapted to meet the demands of the modern battlefield.
Third up is the L96A1, a rifle that marked a dramatic departure from the Lee-Enfield lineage. Developed by Accuracy International and adopted by the British Army in the 1980s, the L96A1 was chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO and built specifically as a modern precision rifle. Its distinctive design, with a rigid chassis and highly adjustable stock, prioritised accuracy, durability and consistency. The L96A1 became one of the defining British sniper rifles of the late 20th century and helped establish Accuracy International as a major name in precision rifle development.
Next is the L115A3, a long-range precision rifle introduced into British service in the 2000s. Also produced by Accuracy International, the L115A3 is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, giving it considerably greater effective range than the 7.62mm rifles that preceded it. Designed for extreme long-range precision, it provided British snipers with increased reach and accuracy in demanding operational environments. The rifle became particularly well known through its use in Afghanistan and represents the move towards larger-calibre systems designed to engage targets at exceptional distances.
Last but not least is the L129A1, a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle introduced to British service in response to the demands of modern combat. Chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, it is based on the AR-10 pattern and provides accurate, rapid follow-up fire at medium and extended ranges. Unlike the bolt-action sniper rifles that preceded it, the L129A1 is designed to give infantry a precision capability while retaining the speed and versatility of a semi-automatic action. Together with the L115A3, it demonstrates how British military precision firepower has evolved to encompass different roles, from traditional long-range sniping to providing accurate fire in support of infantry operations.
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#sniperrifles #weaponhistory #jonathanferguson
00:00 History of Sniper Rifles
03:13 Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I (T)
07:53 Firing Lee-Enfield
11:45 L42A1
16:13 Firing L42A1
19:32 L96A1 ("Green Meanie")
24:54 Firing L96A1
30:01 L115A3
34:47 Firing L115A3
37:55 L129A1
41:41 Firing L129A1
46:11 Future of Sniper Rifles
How has the sniper rifle evolved over the last 100 years? It's time to find out!
Luke Tomes returns to the Royal Armouries to fire some of the most iconic British sniper rifles of the last 100 years. As always, he is joined by Keeper of Firearms & Artillery, Jonathan Ferguson, who talks him through the history, design and development of each rifle, showcasing how British military sniping has evolved from the battlefields of the Second World War to the modern era.
First up is the Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I (T), the dedicated sniper variant of the British Lee-Enfield rifle developed during the Second World War. Chambered in .303 British, the No. 4 Mk. I (T) was selected for its accuracy and fitted with a telescopic sight, transforming the already proven Lee-Enfield into a specialist precision weapon. Used extensively by British and Commonwealth forces, it combined the fast, smooth action of the Lee-Enfield with the precision required for long-range shooting. It established a foundation for British military sniping that would influence specialist rifles for decades to come.
Second is the L42A1, which represented the next major step in the evolution of the British military sniper rifle. Introduced in the 1970s, the L42A1 was developed from the No. 4 Lee-Enfield and converted to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, reflecting the wider adoption of the NATO standard. Retaining the familiar Lee-Enfield action while incorporating a new calibre and improved telescopic sighting system, the L42A1 served British forces for several decades. It demonstrated how a proven wartime design could be adapted to meet the demands of the modern battlefield.
Third up is the L96A1, a rifle that marked a dramatic departure from the Lee-Enfield lineage. Developed by Accuracy International and adopted by the British Army in the 1980s, the L96A1 was chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO and built specifically as a modern precision rifle. Its distinctive design, with a rigid chassis and highly adjustable stock, prioritised accuracy, durability and consistency. The L96A1 became one of the defining British sniper rifles of the late 20th century and helped establish Accuracy International as a major name in precision rifle development.
Next is the L115A3, a long-range precision rifle introduced into British service in the 2000s. Also produced by Accuracy International, the L115A3 is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, giving it considerably greater effective range than the 7.62mm rifles that preceded it. Designed for extreme long-range precision, it provided British snipers with increased reach and accuracy in demanding operational environments. The rifle became particularly well known through its use in Afghanistan and represents the move towards larger-calibre systems designed to engage targets at exceptional distances.
Last but not least is the L129A1, a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle introduced to British service in response to the demands of modern combat. Chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, it is based on the AR-10 pattern and provides accurate, rapid follow-up fire at medium and extended ranges. Unlike the bolt-action sniper rifles that preceded it, the L129A1 is designed to give infantry a precision capability while retaining the speed and versatility of a semi-automatic action. Together with the L115A3, it demonstrates how British military precision firepower has evolved to encompass different roles, from traditional long-range sniping to providing accurate fire in support of infantry operations.
You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.
Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: youtube.com/channel/UCZwU2G-KVl-P-O-B35chZOQ/join
#sniperrifles #weaponhistory #jonathanferguson
00:00 History of Sniper Rifles
03:13 Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I (T)
07:53 Firing Lee-Enfield
11:45 L42A1
16:13 Firing L42A1
19:32 L96A1 ("Green Meanie")
24:54 Firing L96A1
30:01 L115A3
34:47 Firing L115A3
37:55 L129A1
41:41 Firing L129A1
46:11 Future of Sniper Rifles
