List of British weapon L numbers

The L number ("L" standing for Land Service)^[1][2] or weapon identity number^[3] system is a numerical designation system used for the type classification of British Army weapons and related stores. The L number in isolation is not a unique identifier; rather, it is used in conjunction with a description, e.g. "Rifle, 7.62mm, L1A1" or "L1A1 7.62mm Rifle".^[2] The A number following the L number refers to the particular version of a piece of equipment;^[1] unlike some similar designation systems where an A number is only used for subsequent versions of equipment, an A1 designation is always used for the first version to be officially adopted.^[2][a] Stores coming into Army service began receiving Land Service designations in 1954, replacing the old number-and-mark system of designations.^[8]

The L number system does not have universal application. Some items^[b] have been referred to in official documentation by their manufacturer's designations instead of L numbers. Likewise, legacy items that were given designations under the earlier number-and-mark system^[c] have continued to be referred to by those designations until their replacement by newer stores.^[41] A number of guided weapons in British service such as the K170A1/A2 NLAW HEAT Guided Missile^[42][43] and the K130 High Velocity Missile^[44][45] use a "K" designation rather than a Land Service one.

Equivalent designation systems were devised for the Royal Navy ("N", standing for Naval Service) and the Royal Air Force ("A", standing for Air Service),^[1] though in many cases stores shared with the Army have continued to be referred to by their Land Service designations;^[43][46] Land Service designations have also been used where no Army equivalent exists, as in the case of the Royal Navy's L44A1 Machine Gun.^[47] The FV (fighting vehicle) number series is similar in purpose but not in formatting. Similar designation systems are used by various other militaries; for example, Canada uses "C" (standing for Canadian), Australia uses "F" (standing for Forces),^[d] and several nations such as Denmark, South Africa, and the United States of America use or used "M" (standing for Model or its non-English equivalent).