Description
Own a later Cold War technical manual update for one of the most iconic U.S. recoilless rifle systems: the 106mm M40. This Technical Manual Change 8 for TM 9-1000-205-12 covers the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 W/E Recoilless Rifles and is dated June 1974.
This is a Change 8 update for the original TM 9-1000-205-12, issued March 5, 1959. It is not the full base manual. That makes it a valuable companion piece for collectors working to complete the long 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 rifle mounts, and tripod equipment.
Historical Significance
The M40 recoilless rifle was one of the classic American anti-armor weapons of the Cold War. It was powerful, mobile, and adaptable to several field and vehicle-mounted configurations.
One of the best collector details is the 106mm designation. U.S. Army recoilless rifle history notes that the M40 actually had a 105mm bore, but was called 106mm for logistical reasons. That small naming detail is part of what makes the system so recognizable to ordnance collectors.
By June 1974, the M40 family had already built a major service history. It was tied to Jeep-mounted systems, tripod-mounted field use, the M8C spotting rifle, and Vietnam-era platforms such as the M50 Ontos. The Ontos carried six 106mm recoilless rifles, was adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps, and saw service in Vietnam.
The M40A2 and M40A4 W/E Connection
This Change 8 is especially interesting because it covers the later M40A2 and M40A4 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 Army parts documentation ties the equipment family to the M8C .50 caliber spotting gun, M206 106mm cannon, M79 rifle mount, M92 rifle mount, and M27 tripod.
That is the “cool factor” of this manual change. It belongs to the full M40 system story: recoilless rifle, spotting gun, mounts, tripod, and field support equipment.
What This Change Covers
As Change 8 for TM 9-1000-205-12, this publication updated the Army’s operator and organizational maintenance manual family for the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 W/E 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
- M40 recoilless rifle technical manual sets
- M8C spotting gun reference collections
- M79 and M92 mount research
- M27 tripod reference displays
- Vietnam War and Cold War anti-armor collections
- 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 publication over time.
Key Features
- Technical Manual Change 8 for TM 9-1000-205-12
- Covers 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 W/E recoilless rifles
- Dated June 1974
- Updates the original March 5, 1959 technical manual
- Listed with FSN 1015-133-8484
- Strong 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 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 closely tied to Cold War direct-fire anti-armor doctrine.
This Change 8 update stands out because of its later 1974 date. It reflects the continued documentation trail of the M40A2 and M40A4 equipment family after years of field use, vehicle mounting, technical updates, and Vietnam-era service.
For collectors, this is more than a paper insert. It is part of the official maintenance history for one of the most recognizable 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 8 for TM 9-1000-205-12, covering the 106mm M40A2 and M40A4 W/E Recoilless Rifles, dated June 1974, with FSN 1015-133-8484.
This listing is for the Change 8 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:
- Cold War 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
- recoilless rifle and 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.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times