M1 .30 inch Garand self-loading rifle, 1939 (c)

First issued to the US Army in 1936, the Garand was the only self-loading rifle in service with a front line army in 1941. Rather heavy and restricted by the fact that the magazine held only eight rounds, it was nevertheless popular as a rapid-fire weapon. Although not officially a British service issue, large numbers were allocated to Numbers 1 and 5 Commando Regiments and some units of Royal Marine Commandos during the Burma campaign.

Donated by the Lancashire Constabulary