The M1 Garand was the standard United States service rifle during the Second World War and the Korean War, designed by John Garand and adopted in 1936. As one of the first semi-automatic rifles issued widely to infantry, it became an icon of American military history and later appeared in countless films, games and documentaries. Its sharp report and distinctive en bloc clip ping made it instantly recognisable, which is why editors still reach for an authentic Garand shot to give historical scenes and combat montages a credible, period-accurate feel.