Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1220-205-34) for M19A1 Computing Sight April 1959
This Technical Manual TM 9-1220-205-34 covers the M19A1 Computing Sight and is dated April 1959.
This is a field maintenance manual for the mechanical computing sight used with the 40 mm Gun M1A1 on antiaircraft gun carriages.
Historical Significance
Published during the early Cold War, this manual documents a mechanical fire-control system used before radar-linked and electronic computing sights became standard. The M19A1 helped a 40 mm antiaircraft crew convert estimated target motion into sight corrections for tracking and engaging aircraft.
The sight served as the primary means of fire control for the 40 mm Gun M1A1 on the M2A3 antiaircraft carriage and was also specified for the M7 antiaircraft carriage.
The M19A1 Sight and the 40 mm Gun M1A1
The M19A1 Computing Sight mechanically generated lead from estimated target speed and course. Its mechanism also supplied superelevation, helping compensate for projectile travel and gravity while the crew tracked a moving aerial target.
A main support bar carried two M24C reflex sights. A steel-band system transmitted lateral movement, while the vertical pivot box and deflection linkages moved the sights in elevation. Both reflex sights moved together so the crew could keep the reticles on the target while the mechanism applied the calculated lead.
What This Manual Covers
TM 9-1220-205-34 provides field maintenance guidance for the M19A1 Computing Sight and its mechanical fire-control assemblies. Its subject includes the computing mechanism, support structure, motion-transfer parts, sight-positioning linkages, and the adjustments needed to keep the system aligned with the gun.
- M19A1 Computing Sight identification and functional description
- Field maintenance of the mechanical computing system
- Computing box and positioning mechanism
- Main support bar and paired reflex-sight supports
- Steel-band lateral-motion system
- Vertical pivot box and deflection linkages
- Alignment, adjustment, and synchronization of the sighting system
Key Features
- Official publication number: TM 9-1220-205-34
- Publication date: April 1959
- Manual type: Field Maintenance Manual
- Primary subject: M19A1 Computing Sight
- Used with the 40 mm Gun M1A1 on M2A3 and M7 antiaircraft carriages
- Mechanical computation of lead and superelevation for aerial targets
- Associated with paired M24C reflex sights
Why This Manual Matters
This manual preserves detailed maintenance context for a mechanical antiaircraft fire-control system. It shows how cams, linkages, pivots, and motion-transfer parts worked together to convert crew-entered target information into corrected sight movement.
It is a useful reference for collectors and institutions studying the 40 mm Gun M1A1, M2A3 or M7 carriages, M24C reflex sights, mechanical fire-control equipment, or early Cold War antiaircraft artillery.
About This Manual
This listing is for Technical Manual TM 9-1220-205-34, dated April 1959, for the M19A1 Computing Sight.
No computing sight, computing box, M24C reflex sight, gun, carriage, tools, test equipment, or other manuals are included unless specifically stated elsewhere in the offer.
Ideal For
This manual is a strong fit for:
- U.S. Army technical-manual collectors
- M19A1 Computing Sight owners and researchers
- 40 mm Gun M1A1 reference collections
- M2A3 and M7 antiaircraft carriage researchers
- M24C reflex-sight collections
- Mechanical fire-control and antiaircraft artillery displays
- Museums, archives, and military-history libraries
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .25", Approx weight 1lbs.
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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