It is one of the propaganda photos taken after Kampfgruppe Hansen's ambush of the 14th Cavalry Group near Poteau on 18 December 1944. Its an M1 Carbine, probably looted from the wrecked column.
Same two guys from a different angle, and the other M1 photos taken by the PK. From the helmet cover, neck wrap, and canteen position, the last photo appears to be of the same man again.
Here ya go, Gerg! This contribution is from the Aberdeen Museum when I got a back room tour in '92.
The first is a 7.62 Russian caliber G43 with long barrel. The 2nd is a regular 7.92 w/long barrel.
Wow, that's really cool, I'd love to be able to go there but I'm pretty sure they don't do tours anymore. Any word on when their collection will be moved to its new home?
Yes the germans liked the carbine. You can find many pics of them in use especially from the sequence Ryan shows and other battle of the bulge pics
Stumbled across this one a while back and just noticed that the soldier on the right looks like he may be carrying a long barreled G/K43 variant. Tough to tell, anyone care to chime in?