Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual Change 8 TM 9-1300-203 for Artillery Ammunition, January 1969
Item Overview
This official U.S. Army Change 8 publication updates TM 9-1300-203, Artillery Ammunition. Change 8 was issued in January 1969 for the original manual dated April 6, 1967. It supplied revised information for mortar training ammunition, artillery time fuzes, proximity fuzes, authorized weapon applications, and safety precautions. This listing is for the Change 8 update only. It is not the complete base manual and does not include ammunition, fuzes, weapons, tools, or other equipment.
Publication Details
This change packet was prepared for military personnel responsible for identifying, handling, storing, inspecting, and supporting conventional artillery and mortar ammunition.
- Manual number: TM 9-1300-203
- Change number: Change 8
- Change date: January 1969
- Original manual date: April 6, 1967
- Subject: Artillery Ammunition
- Publication type: Technical manual change packet
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Period: Vietnam War and Cold War
- Item included: Change 8 publication only
Purpose of Change 8
Army change publications kept technical manuals current without requiring a completely new edition. Change 8 supplied replacement or additional pages that were meant to be inserted into the April 1967 manual. These pages corrected, expanded, or replaced selected technical information. This packet should be used with the base manual and any other applicable change pages.
Material Updated by Change 8
The surviving pages marked Change 8 contain revisions for reusable mortar training ammunition and several important artillery fuzes. The material includes component information, weapon compatibility, preparation notes, functioning descriptions, and safety warnings.
- 60mm M69 reusable training mortar cartridge information
- M2 modified and M5 fin-assembly information for the M69 cartridge
- M4 and M5A1 ignition-cartridge information
- 81mm Mortar Cannons M1 and M29 ammunition section
- M84 and M84A1 mechanical time-fuze information
- M513, M513B1, M513A1, and M513A2 proximity-fuze information
- XM5 desensitizing cap information for selected M513-series fuzes
- M514, M514B1, and M514A1 proximity-fuze information
- M515 proximity fuze information for 90mm antiaircraft ammunition
- Revised weapon, propelling-charge, and firing-safety information
About TM 9-1300-203
TM 9-1300-203 was a major Army reference for conventional artillery ammunition. The 1967 edition brought information from several earlier ammunition manuals and bulletins into one publication. Its coverage included cartridges and projectiles for guns and howitzers from 37mm through 280mm, along with ammunition for recoilless rifles and 60mm, 81mm, and 4.2-inch mortars. It explained ammunition identification, construction, authorized use, handling precautions, packing, storage, and emergency destruction.
60mm Mortar-System History
The Change 8 material for the M69 training cartridge is connected with the M2 and M19 60mm mortar family. The M2 was developed before World War II as a portable company-level support weapon. It used a smoothbore tube, bipod, baseplate, and fixed firing pin. The lighter M19 was introduced near the end of World War II and could be used in a simple handheld role or with supporting equipment. Both models remained useful for training and infantry support during the postwar period.
Artillery and Fuze Applications
Change 8 also updated fuze information used across several artillery systems. The M513-series proximity fuzes supported selected 4.2-inch mortar and 105mm artillery ammunition. The larger M514 series was associated with 155mm and 8-inch howitzers, with certain models also approved for 175mm guns. The M515 was intended for 90mm antiaircraft ammunition. These electronic proximity fuzes allowed a projectile to function near a target, while mechanical time fuzes such as the M84 controlled when smoke, illuminating, or other base-ejection projectiles operated.
Historical Background
Change 8 appeared in January 1969 during the Vietnam War. U.S. forces were using artillery and mortars in combat, training, base defense, and fire-support missions. The M2 and M19 60mm mortars had served during World War II and Korea and continued to appear with American and South Vietnamese units. Reusable M69 cartridges allowed crews to practice basic mortar skills while reducing the need for service ammunition. Updated fuze information was equally important because different weapons, projectiles, and propelling charges required specific limits and precautions.
History of Use
TM 9-1300-203 was used by ammunition specialists, artillery crews, mortar crews, ordnance personnel, supply units, and maintenance activities. Change 8 pages helped these users identify approved components, inspect reusable training rounds, match fuzes with authorized weapons, and follow current safety requirements. Units normally inserted the new pages into working copies of the original manual, which is why complete unused change packets can be harder to locate today.
Collector and Research Value
This Change 8 publication is a specialized reference for studying Vietnam-era mortar training, mechanical time fuzes, electronic proximity fuzes, and Army ammunition procedures. It can also help researchers compare the April 1967 manual with later revisions. Its coverage of the M69 cartridge and several important fuze families makes it useful for both mortar and field-artillery research.
Condition
This vintage military publication may show cover wear, edge wear, folds, yellowing, stains, writing, stamps, punched holes, loose pages, or other signs of age and military storage. Printing details and condition may vary between available copies. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This publication is well suited for collections, research projects, restoration references, and historical displays related to American artillery and mortar ammunition.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- Vietnam War ammunition research
- M2 and M19 60mm mortar displays
- M69 training-cartridge research
- Artillery and proximity-fuze collections
- Ordnance, museum, and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", 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.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times.