To who were they issued to ?

[Edward Tinker]

hmmmm, Dwight, I think it is a common misconception that US soldiers carried a pistol / rank.

In WW2 they made the M1 carbine to replace the pistol, as they issued many in WW1. Although the carbine was not a huge success, it was designed for that purpose.

Signalmen carried a 45, Supply enlisted carried the 45, engineers carried a 45, all the machine gun crew, etc.

In the post-WW2 environment, if the TOE said a 45 should be issued, it was.

Examples of TOE for WW2;
http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com/...ns_company.htm

http://www.militaryresearch.org/7-87page5.htm

752nd Tank Battalion
Personnel and Equipment Summary
(Based on 18 November 1944 T/O & E, Modified 6 January 1945)

Total Personnel: 721
Officers: 37
Enlisted Men: 681
Warrant Officers: 3


Total Small Arms: 818
.45 Cal Pistols (M1911A1): 3
.30 Cal Carbines (M2): 240
rifles, etel deleted for space

I have to assume that prior to WW2, those carbines would have been pistols.

Ed