Description
Technical Manual Change 1 (TM 9-1005-231-34) for .50cal M85 Machine Gun July 1967
Add a specialized piece of Vietnam War-era / Cold War armored vehicle weapons documentation to your collection with this Technical Manual Change 1 for TM 9-1005-231-34, covering the .50 Cal M85 Machine Gun. Dated July 1967, this change notice updates the original TM 9-1005-231-34, issued July 7, 1964.
This is the Change 1 update only, not the full base manual. For collectors, that makes it a useful companion piece for completing the official documentation history of the M85 fixed .50 caliber machine gun.
Historical Significance
The M85 Machine Gun was developed for a very specific Cold War role: protected .50 caliber firepower from inside an armored vehicle cupola. Unlike the more familiar M2HB flexible machine gun, the M85 was designed as a compact, fixed .50 caliber weapon for armored vehicle use.
Army technical documentation describes the M85 as a recoil-operated machine gun designed for cupola mounting in armored vehicles. It could be fired electrically by solenoid or manually, used high and low rates of fire, and featured a short receiver assembly, fixed headspace, and quick-change barrel with flash suppressor.
That gives this July 1967 Change 1 strong collector appeal. It falls during the Vietnam War period, when M60-series tanks, armored vehicles, and cupola-mounted weapons remained an important part of U.S. armored vehicle doctrine.
The M85 Machine Gun
The M85 is closely associated with the M60-series tank family and related armored vehicles. Later Army documentation notes that the M85 had both right- and left-hand feed capability, with left-hand feed used on M60, M60A1, and M60A3 tanks as well as M728 vehicles.
The M85 was also tied to the M19 commander’s cupola. M60-series tank reference data lists the secondary armament as a 12.7mm M85 machine gun mounted in the M19 commander’s cupola, with manual traverse and elevation.
For collectors, this manual change connects directly to the armored vehicle crew station, not just the gun itself. It belongs to the support history of tank commander’s cupolas, .50 caliber vehicle armament, and Cold War armored fighting vehicles.
What This Change Covers
As Change 1 for TM 9-1005-231-34, this publication updated the Army’s direct support and general support maintenance manual for the .50 Cal M85 Machine Gun. Reference listings identify the original base manual as TM 9-1005-231-34, a Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual for the Machine Gun, Caliber .50, M85, issued July 7, 1964.
This manual change is especially relevant for:
- M85 Machine Gun documentation
- TM 9-1005-231-34 revision history
- M60-series tank weapons research
- M19 commander’s cupola reference
- M728 armored vehicle weapons documentation
- Cold War armored vehicle technical manual collections
- collectors completing an M85 technical manual set
Manual changes were working updates. Many were separated from their original base manuals over time, which makes surviving examples valuable to collectors who want a more complete publication set.
Key Features
- Technical Manual Change 1 for TM 9-1005-231-34
- Covers the .50 Cal M85 Machine Gun
- Dated July 26, 1967
- Updates the original manual issued July 7, 1964
- Direct support and general support maintenance manual update
- Connected to the M85 fixed .50 caliber machine gun
- Associated with armored vehicle cupola-mounted weapon systems
- Related to M60, M60A1, M60A3, and M728 vehicle use
- Strong Vietnam War-era / Cold War armor collector subject
- Useful companion piece for a complete TM 9-1005-231-34 manual set
Why This Manual Change Matters
The M85 represents a focused chapter in Cold War armored vehicle design. It was built to give armored crews protected .50 caliber firepower from inside a cupola-mounted position.
This Change 1 update helps preserve the Army’s official maintenance trail for that system. It is not a commercial guide or modern reference booklet. It is part of the military technical publication system used to support inspection, repair, parts identification, and maintenance of the M85.
For collectors, it pairs well with M60 tank manuals, M85 operator manuals, M19 cupola references, M728 vehicle documentation, .50 caliber ammunition displays, and Cold War armored vehicle collections.
About This Manual Change
This listing is for Technical Manual Change 1 for TM 9-1005-231-34, covering the .50 Cal M85 Machine Gun, dated July 1967.
This listing is for the Change 1 update only unless otherwise stated. No complete base manual, machine gun, firearm, receiver, barrel, cupola, tank, armored vehicle, ammunition, belts, links, tools, repair parts, storage case, or additional accessories are included unless specifically shown or noted.
Ideal For
This manual change is a strong fit for:
- M85 Machine Gun collectors
- M60, M60A1, and M60A3 tank reference collections
- M728 armored vehicle displays
- Cold War U.S. Army technical manual collections
- .50 caliber machine gun reference libraries
- tank cupola and armored vehicle weapon research
- museum and archival reference displays
- collectors completing a TM 9-1005-231-34 manual set
Approx length 10", Approx width 8", Approx height .1", Approx weight .2lbs.
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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