Description
Technical Manual Change 1 (TM 9-1240-308-35) for M114 Elbow Telescope July 1969 FSN 1240-963-0839
U.S. Army Technical Manual Change 1, TM 9-1240-308-35, for M114 Elbow Telescope, July 1969, FSN 1240-963-0839
Item Overview
This U.S. Army publication is Change 1 for Technical Manual TM 9-1240-308-35, covering the M114 Elbow Telescope, FSN 1240-963-0839. Issued in July 1969, it updates the original manual dated October 28, 1965.
This listing is for the Change 1 publication only. It is not the complete original manual unless specifically stated. The M114 telescope, fire-control quadrant, howitzer, and other optical equipment are not included.
Change 1 Update
Change publications allowed the Army to correct and revise technical information without replacing an entire manual. Change 1 was designed to be used with the original October 1965 edition of TM 9-1240-308-35.
Depending on its original format, this update may contain replacement pages, added pages, revised instructions, or directions for changing the base manual. It documents the maintenance information considered current in July 1969.
About the M114 Elbow Telescope
The M114 was an optical sight designed primarily for laying the M102 105mm Light Towed Howitzer during direct fire. Direct fire required the crew to aim at a target visible from the gun position.
Its angled optical path allowed the gunner to view the target from a practical position beside the weapon. The telescope worked with the howitzer’s fire-control quadrant to follow changes in elevation and maintain proper sight alignment.
The M114 was not a panoramic telescope. The separate M113 panoramic telescope was used mainly for directional laying during indirect-fire missions.
M102 Howitzer Application
The M114 elbow telescope was part of the original fire-control equipment for the M102 howitzer. The M102 was designed as a lightweight weapon for airborne, air-assault, and mobile field-artillery units.
It could be towed by a vehicle or transported by helicopter and cargo aircraft. Its circular firing platform allowed the weapon to traverse through a full circle after emplacement.
Later M114A1 telescopes continued the same basic role. This Change 1 publication, however, specifically updates the maintenance manual for the earlier M114 model identified by FSN 1240-963-0839.
Historical Background
The original manual was issued in October 1965 as the M102 entered wider U.S. Army service. More than 12,000 M102 howitzers were produced between 1963 and 1970, and the weapon saw extensive use during the Vietnam War.
Change 1 appeared in July 1969, during the M102’s main production and combat-service period. It reflects the Army’s effort to keep maintenance instructions current as technicians gained field experience with the telescope.
Publication Details
- Publication: Change 1
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-308-35
- Change date: July 1969
- Original manual date: October 28, 1965
- Subject: M114 Elbow Telescope
- Official equipment type: Telescope, Elbow
- Federal Stock Number: 1240-963-0839
- Equipment drawing: F8626440
- Related military specification: MIL-T-46385
- Manual level: Direct support, general support, and depot maintenance
- Primary role: Direct-fire sighting
- Documented weapon system: M102 105mm Light Towed Howitzer
- Item included: Change 1 publication only
Collector and Research Value
This publication is a specialized addition to a U.S. Army technical-manual, artillery, or military-optics collection. It is useful for comparing the original 1965 manual with the maintenance information adopted during the Vietnam War.
Ideal For
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M102 105mm howitzer research
- M114 elbow telescope restoration references
- Vietnam War artillery displays
- Military optics and fire-control collections
- Museum and archival reference libraries
- Direct-fire sighting-system research
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", 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.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times