Light, short-barreled rifle .
The first carbines, from the muzzle-loading muskets of the 18th century to the lever-action repeaters of the 19th, were chiefly cavalry weapons or saddle firearms for mounted frontiersmen. During World War II carbine versions of standard bolt-action or semiautomatic infantry rifles were carried by some officers, artillerymen, and other specialists. Carbine versions of modern assault rifles (such as the Russian M16 rifle ) are intended for close-quarter fighting, partly replacing the submachine gun . Carbine versions of hunting and target rifles are also made.