Description
Own a late Vietnam War-era / Cold War update for one of the most recognizable U.S. anti-armor weapons of the period: the 106mm M40 recoilless rifle. This Technical Manual Change 6 for TM 9-1000-205-12 covers the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 W/E recoilless rifles and is dated September 1972.
This is a Change 6 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. The original 1959 manual is listed as an operation and organizational maintenance manual for the .50 Cal M8C spotting rifle, 106mm M40A1/M40A1C rifles, T173/M79 mounts, and tripod equipment.
Historical Significance
The M40 recoilless rifle was one of the classic U.S. direct-fire anti-tank weapons of the Cold War. It had a long service life, strong vehicle-mounting history, and a major connection to Vietnam-era infantry and Marine Corps fire support.
One of the best collector details is the “106mm” designation. The weapon is commonly described as 106mm, but it is actually a 105mm bore system. The 106mm designation was used to prevent confusion with incompatible 105mm ammunition used by the earlier M27 recoilless rifle.
By September 1972, the M40 family was still important enough to receive technical manual updates. That gives this Change 6 strong appeal. It sits late in the Vietnam War period and reflects the continued documentation of a weapon system that had already become iconic.
The M40A2 and M40A4 W/E Connection
This change notice is especially interesting because it covers the later M40A2 and M40A4 rifle designations. Later Army parts documentation lists the M40A2 as 1015-00-133-8484 and the M40A4 as 1015-00-133-8485, matching the supplied FSN 1015-133-8484 in modern NSN format.
The M40 system was more than the rifle tube alone. Later parts documentation for the M40A2 / M40A4 equipment family includes the M206 106mm cannon, M8C .50 caliber spotting gun, M79 rifle mount, M92 rifle mount, and M27 tripod. That full equipment connection is part of what makes this manual change so collectible.
What This Change Covers
As Change 6 for TM 9-1000-205-12, this publication updated the Army’s operator and organizational maintenance manual family 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
- M40 recoilless rifle technical manual sets
- M8C spotting gun reference collections
- M79 and M92 mount research
- M27 tripod and field-support displays
- Vietnam War-era anti-tank weapon collections
- museum and archival reference libraries
Manual changes are often harder to find than the base manual. They were working updates, and many were separated from the original publication over time.
Key Features
- Technical Manual Change 6 for TM 9-1000-205-12
- Covers 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 W/E recoilless rifles
- Dated September 1972
- 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.
It also has a strong Vietnam War connection. The M50 Ontos carried six 106mm recoilless rifles, was adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps, and saw service in Vietnam. That connection gives M40-related manuals strong crossover appeal with armor, Marine Corps, vehicle, and Vietnam-era collectors.
This Change 6 update stands out because of its late 1972 date. It reflects the continued paperwork trail of a famous recoilless rifle system after years of field use, vehicle mounting, and technical updates.
For collectors, this is not just a paper insert. It is part of the official documentation history for one of the most recognizable recoilless rifle systems ever fielded.
About This Manual Change
This listing is for Technical Manual Change 6 for TM 9-1000-205-12, covering the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 W/E recoilless rifles, dated September 1972, with FSN 1015-133-8484.
This listing is for the Change 6 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.
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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