Description
U.S. Army M37 Mid-Sized Riot Control Agent Disperser with TM 3-1040-287-12&P Manual and MK-46 Dispenser Sling
Item Overview
This listing includes a U.S. Army M37 mid-sized riot control agent disperser, TM 3-1040-287-12&P, and an MK-46 dispenser sling. Defense Technology Corporation of America manufactured the portable M37 for military crowd-control duties. Its capacity and size placed it between the smaller M36 and larger M33A1 dispensers.
Identification and Features
The dispenser’s identification plate confirms its military designation, manufacturer, National Stock Number, contract number, pressure ratings, and serial number. The included Department of the Army manual confirms the M37 designation, NSN, components, purpose, and maintenance requirements.
- Official designation: Disperser, Riot Control Agent, Manually Carried: Mid Size, M37
- NSN: 1040-01-463-0157
- NIIN: 01-463-0157
- Army LIN: D20400
- Manufacturer: Defense Technology Corporation of America, an Armor Holdings Inc. company
- Contract number: DAAM01-98-C-0009
- Serial number: 0332
- Nominal pressure: 200 PSI
- Maximum pressure: 350 PSI
- Defense Technology cross-reference: Model 5846
- Color-coded pressure gauge with recharge, full, and overcharge ranges
- Hand-valve lever, protective guard, safety pull pin with chain, nozzle assembly, fittings, and pressure cylinder
- Included manual: TM 3-1040-287-12&P, dated August 16, 1999
- Included accessory: MK-46 dispenser sling
Function and Manual Contents
The M37 used stored pressure to discharge an approved riot control agent through an adjustable nozzle. The manual describes stream, mist, and spray settings and identifies the sling assembly, pressurizing valve stem, nozzle assembly, hand-valve assembly, pressure gauge, safety pull pin, and pressure cylinder. TM 3-1040-287-12&P contains operating information, operator and unit maintenance instructions, troubleshooting guidance, maintenance forms, equipment data, and a Repair Parts and Special Tools List.
Included MK-46 Dispenser Sling
The included sling is identified as an MK-46 dispenser sling and is supplied as a related Defense Technology carrying accessory. The MK-46 and M37 are closely related mid-sized dispenser designs. The Army repair-parts manual lists the standard M37 sling assembly as P/N 1515; the included MK-46 sling is listed separately and is not identified as that M37 part number.
Documented M37 Repair Parts
The manual’s illustrated parts breakdown identifies three major replaceable assemblies under Group 00. These are sling assembly P/N 1515, hand-valve assembly P/N 21243, and pressure cylinder P/N 403608. Each is listed under manufacturer CAGE code 04WZ5. The exploded drawing shows how the cylinder, sling, hand valve, nozzle, internal tube, and related components fit together.
Documented U.S. Army Application
The M37 is a complete, type-classified Army end item rather than a component installed in a vehicle or larger weapon. It was carried by a sling and operated as portable nonlethal equipment during authorized crowd-control duties. The safety pull pin secured the operating handle against unintended movement, while the pressure gauge allowed personnel to monitor the cylinder’s pressure range.
M37 Development and Product History
The M37 began as the XM37 Mid-Sized Riot Control Disperser under the Army Soldier Enhancement Program. The program evaluated an existing commercial design and adapted it to military requirements. An initial production contract was awarded in February 1998, and this dispenser carries an early contract number from that procurement period. Army records state that the M37 was type-classified in September 1999 and fielded beginning in April 2001.
Technical Manual Publication History
Headquarters, Department of the Army issued TM 3-1040-287-12&P on August 16, 1999. Its full title is Operator’s and Unit Maintenance Manual Including Repair Parts and Special Tools List for Disperser, Riot Control Agent, Mid-Sized: M37, NSN 1040-01-463-0157. The publication gave operators and unit maintenance personnel one reference for equipment operation, component identification, maintenance, reporting, and repair parts.
Army Riot-Control Dispenser Family
The Army manual places the M37 between two established riot-control dispensers. The M36 was smaller and carried less agent, while the M33A1 was larger and heavier. The M37 was lighter and easier to maintain than the M33A1 but carried more agent than the M36. Its design was closely related to Defense Technology’s MK-46, with a modified nozzle assembly used for the Army M37 configuration.
Military Nonlethal Capability Background
The M37 belonged to the Army’s larger inventory of nonlethal crowd-control equipment. These systems gave commanders and Military Police personnel additional response options during disturbances, installation security duties, and other operations where lethal force was not suitable. The M37 was a portable agent-delivery system rather than a firearm, explosive weapon, or vehicle-mounted dispenser.
History of Use
The Army manual describes the M37 as equipment for riot control, influencing the movement of unruly crowds, and responding to hostile aggressors under authorized procedures. Government procurement records document later M37 deliveries to units in the United States and within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Its portable size supported use by trained personnel at military installations and during deployed security operations.
Condition
The dispenser photographs show the identification plate, pressure gauge, hand-valve lever and guard, safety pull pin with chain, fittings, warning label, and black-finished pressure cylinder. The cylinder displays scratches, scuffs, and finish wear from military handling and storage. The included manual displays cover wear, handling marks, punched binding holes, and staining or oxidation near portions of the binding edge, while the photographed interior pages remain readable. An MK-46 dispenser sling is included with the listing. All ordnance is inert.
Ideal For
The M37, matching Army technical manual, and MK-46 dispenser sling form a documented group of related Defense Technology and U.S. Army riot-control equipment.
- U.S. Army and Military Police equipment collections
- Military museum and educational displays
- Nonlethal and riot-control equipment collections
- Collectors of Defense Technology military products
- Technical manual and military publication collections
- Late-1990s and Global War on Terror-era displays
Approx length 20", Approx width 8", Approx height ", Approx weight 6.5lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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