Description
U.S. Army M728 Infrared-Periscope Spare-Head Stowage-Box Housing, P/N 8721352, NSN 2540-00-740-3959
Item Overview
This U.S. Army surplus housing comes from an infrared-periscope spare-head stowage box installed inside the turret of the M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle. The complete box assembly is identified by part number 8721352 and NSN 2540-00-740-3959. It protected a spare optical head for the vehicle’s gunner periscope, most likely an M32C-series head. This item is the welded outer housing only and is not a complete stowage-box assembly. It does not include a periscope, optical head, complete door, mounting hardware, or vehicle.
Identification Details
The housing’s chamfered welded shape, internal cushioning arrangement, clamping catch, and butt-hinge location match the stowage box illustrated in the official M728 turret repair-parts manual. The physical match is very strong, although no stamped part number has been located on this individual housing.
- Complete assembly: Infrared Periscope Spare Head Assembly Stowage Box
- Assembly part number: 8721352
- National Stock Number: 2540-00-740-3959
- Federal Supply Class: 2540, Vehicular Furniture and Accessories
- Vehicle application: M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle turret
- Likely stored equipment: M32C-series gunner’s infrared-periscope head
- Construction: Welded metal housing with chamfered front
- Item included: Incomplete housing only
- Country of origin: United States
Army Manual Documentation
Figure 54 of TM 9-2350-222-20P-2 identifies assembly 8721352 as the infrared-periscope spare-head stowage box for the M728 turret. The illustration shows one clamping catch, two “SPARE HEAD” decals, a butt hinge, and three specially shaped cushioning pads. The manual places the box in the turret platform and stowage group. Other M728 maintenance instructions document the box door and the three pads used to support the stored optical head.
Original Box Components
The complete military assembly included several replaceable parts that secured and protected the periscope head. These details are useful when comparing this housing with an original box or planning an accurate display restoration.
- Clamping catch: P/N 6222682, quantity one
- “SPARE HEAD” decals: P/N 8378667, quantity two
- Cushioning pad: P/N 8716202, quantity one
- Butt hinge: Made from MS35822-10D
- Infrared pad: P/N 8378673, quantity one
- Infrared pad: P/N 10949982, quantity one
Purpose of the Stowage Box
The box held a spare periscope head inside the crowded M728 turret. Its shaped metal shell protected the optical assembly from contact with the crew and nearby equipment. Three internal pads helped reduce shock, vibration, and movement while the vehicle traveled over rough ground. The hinged door and clamping catch kept the spare head secured but accessible when maintenance or replacement was required.
About the M32C Periscope System
The M728 used an M32C infrared periscope as the gunner’s primary periscopic sight. This equipment provided daylight and infrared night-sighting capability for the vehicle’s weapons system. Later manuals also identify the M32CE1 passive-night version. The periscope was built in separate head and body sections, making a protected spare-head box a practical part of the turret’s equipment arrangement. The box itself was only a storage component and contained no electrical or optical parts.
M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle History
The M728 was a heavily modified member of the M60 armored-vehicle family. Accepted by the Army during the mid-1960s, it gave combat engineers an armored vehicle that could work alongside tanks and infantry. Its major equipment included an M9 dozer blade, a powerful winch, and an A-frame lifting boom. The turret carried an M135 165mm demolition gun for breaking walls, bunkers, roadblocks, and other obstacles. The M728 was designed for engineering support rather than regular tank combat.
History of Use
M728 vehicles deployed to Vietnam in 1968, where they supported base construction, route clearing, obstacle removal, and attacks against fortified positions. They also served with American forces in West Germany during the Cold War and took part in large REFORGER exercises. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, M728 crews prepared defensive positions and used mine-clearing equipment to open routes through desert terrain. The vehicles later supported road clearing, demolition, recovery, and peacekeeping work in Bosnia.
Condition and Completeness
This housing is incomplete and intended for collection, display, or restoration. The flat hinged door or base and both original “SPARE HEAD” decals are missing. The hinge area and remaining cushioning show damage. Wear may include chipped paint, scratches, dents, corrosion, dirt, bent metal, torn pad material, and other signs of military use or long-term storage. Part number 8721352 and NSN 2540-00-740-3959 identify the complete military box assembly; they should not be taken to mean that this housing includes every part supplied under that stock number.
Collector and Restoration Value
This unusual turret component is a useful addition to an M728, M60-family, military-optics, or armored-engineering collection. Its distinctive shape and documented position make it suitable for vehicle restoration research or a display showing how sensitive night-vision equipment was carried inside a Cold War armored vehicle. The damaged and missing parts also make it a practical pattern for rebuilding a complete stowage box.
Ideal For
This housing is best suited for historical display, technical study, and restoration projects involving American armored vehicles and fire-control equipment.
- M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle restoration
- M60-family turret-equipment collections
- M32C infrared-periscope displays
- Cold War night-vision research
- Military vehicle stowage studies
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 11", Approx width 10", Approx height 8", Approx weight 4.4 lbs.
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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