M1 Carbine

Gift of John Melody, 2005.048.001

The M1 Carbine served as a service rifle for soldiers whose duties made the use of the M1 Rifle too cumbersome. It was frequently issued to paratroopers, NCOs, Officers, and heavy weapon crews. The weapon used a .30 caliber round, and while weaker than the .30-06 of the standard M1 Garand, the relatively short ranges that most American troops found themselves engaging the enemy at negated the need for anything more powerful.