Description
Own a Vietnam War-era update for one of the most recognizable Cold War anti-armor weapons: the 106mm M40 recoilless rifle. This Technical Manual Change 4 for TM 9-1000-205-12 covers the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 recoilless rifles and is dated August 1969.
This is a Change 4 update for the original TM 9-1000-205-12, issued March 5, 1959. It is not the full base manual. For collectors, that makes it a valuable companion piece for completing the publication history of the M40 recoilless rifle system.
Historical Significance
The M40 recoilless rifle was developed during the Cold War as a powerful battalion anti-tank weapon. Army recoilless rifle history notes that the T170 rifle was later standardized as the Rifle, Recoilless, 106mm, M40. It also notes one of the best-known collector details: the M40 actually had a 105mm bore, but was called 106mm for logistical reasons.
That naming detail is part of the M40’s collector appeal. The “106” designation helped separate the M40 ammunition family from earlier 105mm recoilless rifle ammunition. It also gave the system one of the most recognizable names in postwar anti-tank history.
By August 1969, the M40 family was deeply connected to Vietnam-era service, vehicle-mounted fire support, and Marine Corps anti-armor history. The M50 Ontos, one of the most memorable recoilless rifle vehicles of the period, carried six M40-series 106mm recoilless rifles and saw service in Vietnam.
The M40A2 and M40A4 Connection
The M40A2 and M40A4 represent later documentation in the M40 recoilless rifle family. Later Army parts manuals list the M40A2 under 1015-00-133-8484 and the M40A4 under 1015-00-133-8485.
The M40 system was more than just the rifle tube. It was a complete weapon setup with mounts, sighting equipment, and the famous M8C .50 caliber spotting rifle. Army design history describes the M8C as mounted above the M40, with its barrel axis parallel to the recoilless rifle.
That is the “cool factor” of this manual change. It is tied to the complete Cold War anti-tank system: the rifle, the spotting gun, the mount, and the field hardware that made the weapon practical.
What This Change Covers
As Change 4 for TM 9-1000-205-12, this publication updated the Army’s technical manual for the M40 recoilless rifle system.
This manual change is especially relevant for:
- 106mm M40A2 recoilless rifle documentation
- 106mm M40A4 recoilless rifle documentation
- FSN / NSN reference for 1015-133-8484 & 1015-133-8485
- Vietnam War-era anti-tank weapon collections
- M40 recoilless rifle technical manual sets
- M8C spotting rifle reference collections
- M79 / M92 mount research
- M27 tripod and field-support displays
- museum and archival reference libraries
Manual changes are often harder to find than base manuals. They were working updates. Many were separated from the original manuals over time, which makes surviving examples useful to serious technical manual collectors.
Key Features
- Technical Manual Change 4 for TM 9-1000-205-12
- Covers 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 recoilless rifles
- Dated August 1969
- Updates the original March 5, 1959 manual
- Listed with FSN 1015-133-8484
- Strong Vietnam War / Cold War anti-armor subject
- Connected to the larger M40 recoilless rifle family
- Excellent companion piece for a complete TM 9-1000-205-12 manual set
- Desirable reference for M40, M8C, mount, tripod, Jeep, Mule, and Ontos collectors
Why This Collectible Stands Out
The M40 recoilless rifle system has major collector appeal. It is big, distinctive, and closely tied to Cold War anti-tank doctrine.
This Change 4 update stands out because of its late 1960s date. It belongs to the Vietnam War period, when the M40 family was still an important part of U.S. and allied direct-fire weapon history.
For collectors, this is not just a paper update. It is part of the documentation trail for one of the most iconic recoilless rifle systems ever fielded. It belongs with M40A2/M40A4 references, M8C spotting rifle material, M50 Ontos displays, vehicle-mounted anti-tank collections, and serious U.S. Army technical manual libraries.
About This Manual Change
This listing is for Technical Manual Change 4 for TM 9-1000-205-12, covering the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 recoilless rifles, dated August 1969, with FSN 1015-133-8484.
This listing is for the Change 4 update only unless otherwise stated. No complete base manual, recoilless rifle, spotting rifle, mount, tripod, vehicle equipment, ammunition, tools, parts, storage case, or additional accessories are included unless specifically shown or noted.
Ideal For
This manual change is a strong fit for:
- Vietnam War-era U.S. Army technical manual collections
- M40A2 and M40A4 recoilless rifle reference libraries
- M8C spotting rifle collectors
- M50 Ontos and Marine Corps Vietnam displays
- M79 / M92 mount research collections
- M27 tripod reference collections
- Cold War anti-tank weapon displays
- museum and archival reference libraries
- collectors completing a TM 9-1000-205-12 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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