These are original, Trials Pattern Charger Loading Top Covers, for the 7.62mm XL8E1 SLR, from the 1950's.

The slide on top cover for these trials rifles, was originally designed so that when the magazine was empty, it could be quickly charged without removing it from the rifle, by the use of what became known as 'horse-shoe clips'. These were later superceeded by the more familiar 5 round charger clips. The Pattern 'A' rifles in this trial had fixed magazines, so charger loading was the best way of doing this. The charger loading top covers worked well enough, although the horse-shoe clips were clumsy and unneccessarily complex for the task, but common sense prevailed in the end and the removable magazines on the Pattern 'B' rifles were obviously a much better idea. Doing away with this cover and replacing it with the more familiar full length cover also prevented mud and dirt being fed straight into the breech in adverse conditions when the rifle was fired.

After the trials, the majority of the XL8 Rifles were converted to Instructional Rifles. Parts of the body etc were cut away to show the workings to demonstrate how the mechanism functioned. These Instructional Rifles - now designated L26A1 - were still to be found in Infantry Armouries, mostly gathering dust in dark corners, in the early 1980's.

These top covers appear to have been refinished, as most have pristine matt black surfaces, but they are rare survivors and are in excellent condition.

Unit of Sale; 1 Top Cover.

NATO Stock Number; N/K.

Stock No; SLR58