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Carbines, Murder and Moonshine

A Short History of a Misunderstood Gun with Origins in the French Calvary and Carolina Moonshine Whiskey

by Richard Baimbridge

Every gun has a story to tell, and the story of the carbine (pronounced kahr-bean) is no different – except perhaps that its story is even more mysterious and colorful than most. While the matter remains somewhat open to debate, most historians believe the term “carbine” comes from the French word “carabine”, referring to lightly-armed cavalry soldiers during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. These soldiers used a firearm that was lighter and shorter than traditional muskets, enabling them to fire effectively while mounted on horseback.

The definition of what makes a carbine rifle a “carbine” is often-misunderstood and varies depending upon whom you ask. Some insist that a “carbine” must have a barrel length no more than 20-inches, while other wild explanations are simply flat-out wrong. But while it is true that the vast majority of modern carbine barrels are in fact under 20-inches (and the name is often applied to such guns), there are some exceptions...

For example, the original German Gewehr 98 had a 29-inch barrel. Then in 1935 the Germans produced the Karabiner 98 (K98k), featuring a shortened (albeit still quite hefty) 24-inch barrel. So, perhaps the more accurate answer is that a “carbine” is a shortened version of a previously-existing rifle.

There are also, of course, “pistol-caliber carbines” – which are simply carbine rifles chambered in cartridges more typically associated with handguns (most commonly 9mm). These guns are great for things like plinking, offering less noise and recoil while also saving money on ammunition.  

In the 17th and 18th centuries, as firearms technology advanced, carbines became more refined. Flintlock carbines were widely used by cavalry units across Europe. Their shorter barrels made them easier to handle on horseback, and they were often paired with other weapons for close combat. But the limited range and accuracy of these early carbines also meant they were less-than-ideal weapons of warfare.

The Rise of Rifled Carbines

The 19th century saw major advancements in firearms technology, particularly with the introduction of rifling. Rifled barrels greatly improved accuracy and range, thus making carbines far more practical as military weapons.

During the Civil War, carbines became the primary weapon for cavalry units. Models like the Spencer repeating carbine and the Sharps carbine were revolutionary in their designs. The Spencer carbine, developed by Christopher Spencer in 1860, featured a lever-action mechanism and a seven-round tubular magazine. It was a favorite weapon of the Union Calvary, including the renowned General George Armstrong Custer.

As time went on, carbines expanded beyond just the calvary and were issued to artillery crews and other troops who needed more compact weapons. The shorter length and lighter weight of carbines also made them well-suited for jungles and urban settings.

Carbines, Murder and Moonshine

It’s no small irony that the invention leading to one of the most important guns in US Military history, the M1 Carbine, came from a young North Carolina moonshiner serving time in prison for murdering a sheriff’s deputy in a shoot-out.

David Marshall Williams (aka “Carbine” Williams) invented the short-stroke gas piston system that would become the cornerstone of modern automatic weapons while serving time in jail, using tools from the prison’s machine shop. Williams designed and built four semi-automatic rifles while in prison (not something you’d likely see happen today), all of which used high-pressure gas within the breech as a cartridge was fired to operate their semi-automatic actions. 

He was eventually granted release from prison and went on to work with Colt, Remington, Winchester and the US Government, filing numerous patents and perfecting his floating chamber design. In the late 1930s, he began work on the M1 Carbine, a downsized version of his Winchester G30R (a rifle originally created by Ed Browning for Colt in 1929, later redesigned and modified by Williams).

The M1 was actually intended to be a compact rifle meant to replace the Colt M1911 pistol, which was determined to be too inaccurate for its purposes. Used primarily by paratroopers, radiomen, bazooka holders and drivers, the compact, light-weight and highly accurate M1 .30 Carbine somewhat accidentally redefined modern warfare, and gave the US a significant edge in WW2.

The success of the M1 Carbine proved the utility of compact rifles in combat, but also greatly influenced the overall development of firearms -- from hunting to sports shooting and self-defense.  

Just as in combat situations, carbines provide a balance between the power of rifles and the maneuverability of handguns for modern law enforcement. AR-15 platform carbines are a common choice for police departments and tactical units, offering precision and stopping power in situations where handguns are insufficient.

Hunters might choose a carbine when stalking in dense woods, as they’re much easier to hold in a ready-position for long periods of time. A standard long-barreled rifle is well-suited for sitting sniper-style in a tree stand or a blind. But where carbines really shine is tracking or stalking through heavy brush and woods, where you’re more likely to have to fire-off quick shots, and where maneuverability is key. 

So, next time you pick up a carbine, remember that you have the French Calvary and a mad-genius hillbilly bootlegger to thank for it.

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