Description
Technical Manual Change 1 (TM 9-1240-287-35P) for M53 Sight Unit April 1985
U.S. Army Technical Manual Change 1, TM 9-1240-287-35P, M53 Sight Unit, April 1985
Item Overview
This original U.S. Army publication is Change 1 to TM 9-1240-287-35P, dated April 1985. It updates the repair-parts and special-tools manual for the M53 Sight Unit, part number 8245971.
The base manual was issued on July 9, 1970. This listing is for the Change 1 supplement only. It is not the complete 1970 manual, the M53 Sight Unit, or any optical equipment.
About the Original Manual
The “35P” suffix identifies the original publication as a direct-support, general-support, and depot-maintenance repair-parts and special-tools list. Manuals in this class helped military maintenance and supply personnel identify and order authorized components.
The complete base manual included information such as illustrated parts breakdowns, official part names, stock numbers, quantities, maintenance codes, special tools, and numerical indexes.
About the M53 Sight Unit
The M53 was an optical sighting assembly used with U.S. military mortar systems. Documented applications include the M29 and M29A1 81-mm mortars and the M30 4.2-inch mortar. These weapons were also carried in vehicles from the M125 and M106 mortar-carrier families.
The complete M53 assembly combined two major components:
- M109 Elbow Telescope: Part number 8588780, NSN 1240-00-823-5612
- M128 Telescope Mount: Part number 8245970, NSN 1240-00-823-5613
The M109 telescope provided 4-power magnification, fixed focus, and a 10-degree field of view. The M128 mount supported the telescope and allowed precise aiming adjustments. The complete M53 Sight Unit weighed approximately 5.25 pounds. Related lighting equipment allowed crews to view its reticle and scales during night operations.
Historical Significance
The M53 supported mortar crews during the Cold War and Vietnam-era period. It helped crews aim accurately while using powerful indirect-fire weapons in both ground and vehicle-mounted roles.
This 1985 change publication represents the Army’s long-term effort to keep repair and supply records current. It is a useful piece of military optical, mortar, and technical-manual history.
Publication Details
- Publication: Technical Manual Change 1
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-287-35P
- Subject: M53 Sight Unit
- Change date: April 5, 1985
- Original manual date: July 9, 1970
- M53 part number: 8245971
- M53 NSN: 1240-00-856-9452
- Manual type: Repair Parts and Special Tools List
- Maintenance levels: Direct support, general support, and depot
Collector and Research Value
This manual change is well suited for an M53 display, mortar collection, military-optics archive, or technical research library. It also offers a period reference for identifying parts and studying how the Army supported older equipment through the 1980s.
Ideal For
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M53 Sight Unit research
- M29, M29A1, and M30 mortar displays
- M106 and M125 mortar-carrier collections
- Military optics and fire-control exhibits
- Cold War and Vietnam-era archives
- Museum and restoration reference libraries
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .2", Approx weight .2lbs.
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