US M2 .30 in self-loading carbine, c.1944 (photo)

Magazine (numbered); National Postal Meter Corporation; no rear sight. One of the great success stories of World War Two the M1 carbine was used widely by the British Army because of its short range firepower. Produced as a stop-gap weapon for second-line troops it became a very popular weapon because of its lightness and semi-automatic action. The M2 variant provided full automatic fire when needed, controlled by a single switch. It was often used with a larger, 30 round, magazine. As the Malayan Emergency developed it became a sought after weapon to give high firepower in jungle firefights. Although its cartridge had no great stopping power it was adequate for short range actions. Its reliability in humid conditions made it a successful jungle weapon.