Description
Own a rare piece of Cold War atomic artillery history with this Technical Manual Change 3 for TM 9-338-1, covering the 280mm M65 Heavy Motorized Gun. Dated January 1961, this change notice is tied to one of the most famous artillery systems ever fielded by the U.S. Army: the massive 280mm atomic cannon known as “Atomic Annie.”
This is a Change 3 update for the original TM 9-338-1 manual covering the 280mm T131 Gun and 280mm T72 Gun Carriage, originally issued in September 1952. It is not the full base manual. It is an official update from the later service period of the M65 system, making it a strong companion piece for collectors working to complete a full TM 9-338-1 publication set.
Historical Significance
The M65 280mm Heavy Motorized Gun was developed during the early Cold War, when the U.S. Army was experimenting with battlefield nuclear artillery before tactical missiles became the preferred delivery system. U.S. Army history identifies the T131 heavy motorized gun as the experimental model of the M65 atomic cannon, which was adopted in 1956 and could fire both nuclear and conventional shells.
The system was built around the huge 280mm gun and its specialized carriage. The Army notes that the T131 280mm gun was developed at Watervliet Arsenal in 1950 for use with the W-9 15-kiloton atomic projectile, while the T72 gun carriage cradled the gun. Two Kenworth-built transporters, the M249 and M250, were used to move the system into position.
Its most famous moment came on May 25, 1953, during the Grable shot of Operation Upshot-Knothole. That test was the first and only time an atomic round was fired from one of these cannons.
That gives this manual change serious collector value. It is connected to a weapon system that represents one of the boldest and most unusual chapters in U.S. artillery history.
What This Change Covers
As Change 3 for TM 9-338-1, this publication updated the technical manual family for the 280mm M65 Heavy Motorized Gun and its earlier T131 / T72 designation lineage.
A manual change like this is especially relevant for:
- TM 9-338-1 revision history
- 280mm M65 Heavy Motorized Gun documentation
- T131 gun and T72 carriage reference
- Cold War atomic artillery research
- U.S. Army Ordnance Department collections
- M65 “Atomic Annie” displays
- museum and archival reference libraries
- collectors completing a TM 9-338-1 manual set
A 1954 Army field manual referred personnel to TM 9-338-1 for detailed maintenance and inspection information on the 280mm Gun T131 and 280mm Gun Carriage T72, showing the importance of this manual family within the artillery documentation system.
Key Features
- Technical Manual Change 3 for TM 9-338-1
- Covers the 280mm M65 Heavy Motorized Gun
- Dated January 1961
- Update to the original September 1952 TM 9-338-1
- Original manual subject: 280mm T131 Gun and 280mm T72 Gun Carriage
- Connected to the famous M65 Atomic Cannon / Atomic Annie
- Strong Cold War nuclear artillery subject
- Excellent companion piece for a complete TM 9-338-1 manual set
- Highly collectible artillery and ordnance publication
- Ideal for museum, archive, and serious technical manual collections
Why This Collectible Stands Out
This is not a manual change for a common rifle, truck, or shop tool. It is tied to one of the most dramatic weapons of the nuclear age.
The M65 Atomic Cannon was enormous, unusual, and short-lived. That is exactly what makes it so collectible. It represents a moment when the Army believed battlefield nuclear artillery might shape the future of warfare.
By January 1961, the M65 was already part of a changing era. More mobile nuclear rockets and missiles were beginning to replace massive cannon systems. That makes this Change 3 update especially interesting. It sits near the end of the atomic cannon’s practical service life, while the system was still important enough to require official technical manual updates.
For collectors, this piece has the right mix of rarity, history, and subject matter. It belongs in any serious collection focused on Cold War artillery, nuclear-era weapons, U.S. Army ordnance manuals, or Atomic Annie history.
About This Manual Change
This listing is for Technical Manual Change 3 for TM 9-338-1, covering the 280mm M65 Heavy Motorized Gun, dated January 1961.
This is a Change 3 update only unless otherwise stated. No complete base manual, 280mm gun, gun carriage, transporter, atomic projectile, ammunition, tools, parts, accessories, or additional equipment 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
- M65 Atomic Cannon and Atomic Annie displays
- 280mm artillery reference collections
- nuclear-era artillery history exhibits
- U.S. Army Ordnance Department publication collections
- T131 gun and T72 carriage research
- museum and archival reference libraries
- collectors completing a TM 9-338-1 manual set
- serious artillery historians and ordnance collectors
Approx length 9", Approx width 6", Approx height .2", 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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