Description
U.S. Army M728/M105F Early Three-Filter Sighting and Fire-Control Filter-Box Assembly, P/N 8620450
Item Overview
This U.S. Army early-version sighting and fire-control filter-box assembly was made for the M105F articulated gunner’s telescope used in the M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle. The assembly contains three removable viewing filters and their hinged storage box. It is military sighting equipment and contains no explosive material.
Identification and Features
Army repair-parts records identify the complete assembly as P/N 8620450 under NSN 1240-00-970-8657. The empty hinged filter box is P/N 8620670, NSN 1240-00-970-8658. Its documented components include case housing P/N 8574674 and latch assembly P/N 8585550. The number 8574795 appears on each filter ring, but the precise official name assigned to that shared component has not been verified.
- Complete assembly: P/N 8620450
- National Stock Number: 1240-00-970-8657
- Empty filter box: P/N 8620670
- Filter-box NSN: 1240-00-970-8658
- Case housing: P/N 8574674
- Latch assembly: P/N 8585550
- Ring marking: 8574795
- Parent sight: M105F articulated telescope
- Vehicle application: M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle
Filter Functions
The set provided three viewing options for different light and battlefield conditions. Charcoal or neutral filter P/N 8574728 reduced glare in bright sunlight. Amber filter P/N 8574729 improved contrast in fog or haze. Red filter P/N 8574730 helped the gunner observe tracer fire at night. These are viewing and contrast filters, not laser-protection filters.
- Charcoal/neutral filter: P/N 8574728
- Amber filter: P/N 8574729
- Red filter: P/N 8574730
How It Was Used
The gunner used the M105F telescope to aim the M728’s 165mm M135 demolition gun. A filter could be selected to suit sunlight, poor visibility, or nighttime tracer observation. When not required, the filters were protected inside the hinged box. This early assembly was later replaced by a six-filter version, P/N 11727476, which retained these three viewing filters and added three separate green laser filters.
Weapon-System History
The M728 was an armored combat-engineering vehicle based on the M60 tank family. It entered U.S. Army service during the 1960s and combined armor protection with a dozer blade, lifting boom, winch, and short-barreled 165mm demolition gun. The vehicle supported breaching, obstacle removal, road clearing, bunker demolition, and other engineering missions while operating with armored and infantry units.
History of Use
The M728 was deployed to Vietnam beginning in 1968 and later served with American forces in Europe, Operation Desert Storm, and peacekeeping operations in Bosnia. Crews used its sighting equipment when firing at bunkers, walls, roadblocks, and other obstacles. The M105F and its filters helped the gunner maintain a usable sight picture as weather, light, and battlefield conditions changed.
Condition
This is a military-surplus optical accessory that may show scratches, paint wear, discoloration, dust, oxidation, storage marks, or age-related wear. Filter color, markings, and minor details may vary between available assemblies. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item. This listing is for one early three-filter assembly only; the M105F telescope, M728 vehicle, and other fire-control equipment are not included unless specifically stated.
Ideal For
This filter-box assembly is well suited for collections and exhibits focused on military optics, armored engineering vehicles, tank fire-control equipment, and the history of the M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle.
- M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle collections
- M105F telescope displays
- Military optical-equipment collections
- Armored-vehicle fire-control exhibits
- U.S. Army engineering displays
- Museum and educational collections
Approx length 4", Approx width 4", Approx height 3", Approx weight 1.3lbs.
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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