Description
Own a late Vietnam War-era update for one of the most recognizable Cold War anti-armor weapons: the 106mm M40 recoilless rifle. This Technical Manual Change 5 for TM 9-1000-205-12 covers the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 recoilless rifles and is dated March 1970.
This is a Change 5 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 one of the classic U.S. anti-armor weapons of the Cold War. It was powerful, mobile, and adaptable to ground mounts, light vehicles, and specialized platforms.
One of the best collector details is the “106mm” designation. Army recoilless rifle history states that the T170 rifle was standardized as the Rifle, Recoilless, 106mm, M40, while also noting that the M40 actually had a 105mm bore and was called 106mm for logistical reasons.
That naming detail gives the system extra collector appeal. It reflects the Army’s effort to separate the M40 ammunition family from earlier 105mm recoilless rifle ammunition.
By March 1970, the M40 family was firmly tied to Vietnam-era service. The M50 Ontos, one of the most memorable recoilless-rifle vehicles of the period, carried six 106mm recoilless rifles. U.S. Army history notes that the Ontos was adopted by the Marine Corps, served in Vietnam, and was taken out of service in 1969, with remaining examples largely removed by 1970.
The M40A2 and M40A4 Connection
This Change 5 is especially interesting because it covers the later M40A2 and M40A4 nomenclature. Later Army parts documentation lists the M40A2 as NSN 1015-00-133-8484 and the M40A4 as NSN 1015-00-133-8485, which connects directly to the FSN/NSN identification supplied with this listing.
The M40 system was more than just the recoilless rifle tube. Later parts documentation for the M40A2 / M40A4 equipment group lists the M206 106mm cannon, M8C spotting gun, M79 rifle mount, M27 tripod, and M92 rifle mount as part of the related system components.
That is the “cool factor” of this manual change. It is tied to the full Cold War recoilless rifle setup: the rifle, spotting gun, mounts, and tripod hardware that made the system practical in the field.
What This Change Covers
As Change 5 for TM 9-1000-205-12, this publication updated the Army’s operator and organizational maintenance manual family for the M40 recoilless rifle system. Later Army ammunition-maintenance references continued to list TM 9-1000-205-12 as the manual for the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 recoilless rifles.
This manual change is especially relevant for:
- 106mm M40A2 recoilless rifle documentation
- 106mm M40A4 recoilless rifle documentation
- FSN / NSN reference for 1015-133-8484
- Vietnam War-era anti-tank weapon collections
- M40 recoilless rifle technical manual sets
- M8C spotting gun reference collections
- M79 and 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, and many were separated from the original manuals over time.
Key Features
- Technical Manual Change 5 for TM 9-1000-205-12
- Covers 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 recoilless rifles
- Dated March 1970
- Updates the original March 5, 1959 technical manual
- Listed with FSN 1015-133-8484
- Strong Vietnam War / Cold War anti-armor subject
- Connected to the larger M40 recoilless rifle family
- Related to M8C spotting gun, M79 mount, M92 mount, and M27 tripod system documentation
- Excellent companion piece for a complete TM 9-1000-205-12 manual set
- Desirable reference for M40, Ontos, Jeep, Mule, and recoilless rifle collectors
Why This Collectible Stands Out
The M40 recoilless rifle system has major collector appeal. It is large, distinctive, and strongly tied to Cold War anti-tank doctrine.
This Change 5 update stands out because of its March 1970 date. It falls at the end of the Ontos service period and during the Vietnam War era, when the M40 family remained 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 gun material, M50 Ontos displays, and serious U.S. Army technical manual libraries.
About This Manual Change
This listing is for Technical Manual Change 5 for TM 9-1000-205-12, covering the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 recoilless rifles, dated March 1970, with FSN 1015-133-8484.
This listing is for the Change 5 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 gun 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.
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