Description
Own a scarce Cold War tactical nuclear weapons manual update with this Technical Manual Change 3 for TM 9-1000-209-12, covering the M28 and M29 Battle Group Atomic Weapon System. Dated May 1965, this change notice updates the original TM 9-1000-209-12 issued November 27, 1963.
This is a Change 3 update only, not the full base manual. For collectors, that makes it an important companion piece for completing a full TM 9-1000-209-12 Davy Crockett manual set.
Historical Significance
The M28 and M29 Battle Group Atomic Weapon System is better known as the Davy Crockett. It was one of the strangest and most collectible weapons concepts of the Cold War: a small tactical nuclear recoilless rifle system designed for front-line battlefield use.
The system came out of the Army’s Battle Group Atomic Delivery System program. The Army Historical Foundation notes that the Davy Crockett entered service in May 1961 after development and testing at several Army arsenals and test sites. It was tied directly to the Army’s Pentomic-era nuclear battlefield thinking.
That gives this May 1965 Change 3 excellent collector appeal. It comes from the active service period of the Davy Crockett system, when tactical nuclear weapons were still part of U.S. Army battlefield planning.
The M28 and M29 Davy Crockett System
The Davy Crockett was produced in two main versions. The M28 was the lighter 120mm system, while the M29 was the heavier 155mm system. The Army Historical Foundation lists the M28 range at about 1.25 miles and the M29 range at about 2.5 miles. Both were associated with the M388 atomic projectile and the compact W54 warhead, described as the smallest nuclear weapon deployed by U.S. armed forces.
Brookings describes the Davy Crockett as one of the smallest and lightest nuclear weapons ever deployed by the U.S. military. It also notes that the system was deployed with U.S. Army forces from 1961 to 1971, with about 2,100 systems produced.
For collectors, the “cool factor” is obvious. This manual change is connected to one of the most unusual chapters in American weapons history: a tactical nuclear system built small enough for front-line Army units.
What This Change Covers
As Change 3 for TM 9-1000-209-12, this publication updated the operator and organizational maintenance manual for the M28 and M29 Battle Group Atomic Weapon System.
This manual change is especially relevant for:
- M28 Davy Crockett documentation
- M29 Davy Crockett documentation
- Battle Group Atomic Weapon System research
- Cold War tactical nuclear weapons collections
- U.S. Army Ordnance Department publication libraries
- Pentomic Army and early 1960s battlefield doctrine displays
- museum and archival reference collections
- collectors completing a TM 9-1000-209-12 manual set
Reference listings identify the base TM 9-1000-209-12 as an Operator and Organizational Maintenance Manual for the M28/XM28 lightweight portable and vehicle-mounted system and the M29/XM29 heavy vehicle-mounted system, with a listed length of 250 pages.
Key Features
- Technical Manual Change 3 for TM 9-1000-209-12
- Covers the M28 and M29 Battle Group Atomic Weapon System
- Dated May 1965
- Updates the original manual issued November 27, 1963
- Connected to the famous Davy Crockett tactical nuclear weapon system
- Strong Cold War / nuclear-era U.S. Army subject
- Excellent companion piece for a complete TM 9-1000-209-12 manual set
- Desirable reference for ordnance, artillery, armor, and tactical nuclear history collections
- Great fit for museum, archive, and serious technical manual libraries
Why This Collectible Stands Out
This is not a manual change for a common rifle, truck, or field tool. It is tied to the Davy Crockett, one of the most memorable weapons of the nuclear age.
The system’s short service life adds to its collector value. Brookings notes that the Davy Crockett was deployed from 1961 to 1971, while the Army Historical Foundation notes that the system began withdrawal from Europe in the late 1960s and was retired by 1971.
It also has a famous test-history connection. Brookings records the Little Feller nuclear tests in July 1962, including a live firing from a 155mm launcher during Little Feller I. That event remains one of the most iconic moments in Davy Crockett history.
For collectors of atomic artillery, Davy Crockett material, Pentomic Army doctrine, or Cold War nuclear weapons documentation, this Change 3 update is a standout reference piece.
About This Manual Change
This listing is for Technical Manual Change 3 for TM 9-1000-209-12, covering the M28 and M29 Battle Group Atomic Weapon System, dated May 1965.
This listing is for the Change 3 update only unless otherwise stated. No complete base manual, weapon system, launcher, projectile, nuclear material, ammunition, warhead, spotting equipment, vehicle mount, tripod, tools, parts, storage case, or additional accessories are included unless specifically shown or noted.
Ideal For
This manual change is a strong fit for:
- Cold War U.S. Army technical manual collections
- Davy Crockett weapon system displays
- tactical nuclear weapons history collections
- U.S. Army Ordnance Department publication libraries
- Pentomic Army doctrine research
- early 1960s battlefield nuclear collections
- museum and archival reference collections
- collectors completing a TM 9-1000-209-12 manual set
- serious ordnance, artillery, and nuclear-era military historians
Approx length 10", Approx width 8", Approx height .2", Approx weight .5lbs.
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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