Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-262-34) for M105, M105C, and M105D Articulated Telescopes January 1963
This Technical Manual TM 9-1240-262-34 covers the M105, M105C, and M105D articulated telescopes and is dated January 1963. It is a field-maintenance reference for optical instruments used in secondary direct-fire control systems on U.S. tanks.
The publication supports personnel responsible for maintaining the telescope series and understanding the differences among its documented configurations.
Historical Significance
The M105 series formed part of the gunner's backup direct-fire equipment during the early Cold War. These telescopes gave tank crews an optical aiming path separate from the primary fire-control sighting system.
The January 1963 manual documents three closely related models used across the M48 and M60 tank families, linking 90 mm and 105 mm tank fire-control development within one technical publication.
Secondary Direct-Fire Role
The M105 was intended for the secondary direct-fire control system of the 90 mm Gun Tank M48 series. The M105C and M105D were intended for the corresponding system on the 105 mm Gun Tanks M60 and M60A1.
The telescope series used an 8-power optical system with a 7.5-degree field of view. Two ballistic reticles, calibrated for range in meters for different ammunition types, could be shifted into the focal plane as needed.
An articulation point allowed the objective tube to elevate with the gun while limiting movement at the eyepiece. This arrangement kept the sight usable as the main armament changed elevation.
What This Manual Covers
TM 9-1240-262-34 provides field-maintenance guidance for the M105, M105C, and M105D articulated telescopes. It places the three configurations within one reference for personnel supporting tank fire-control optics.
The manual's scope is the maintenance of these articulated telescope models rather than crew-level operation or a parts-only listing. It is useful for model identification, maintenance research, and understanding the telescope's role in the secondary direct-fire system.
Key Features
- Publication: Technical Manual TM 9-1240-262-34
- Publication date: January 31, 1963
- Models covered: M105, M105C, and M105D articulated telescopes
- Maintenance level: Field maintenance
- M105 application: M48-series 90 mm gun tanks
- M105C and M105D application: M60 and M60A1 105 mm gun tanks
- Optical system: 8-power magnification with a 7.5-degree field of view
- Aiming system: Two selectable ballistic reticles calibrated in meters
Why This Manual Matters
Fire-control component manuals preserve technical detail that broader vehicle publications may summarize or omit. This manual gives collectors and researchers a focused period reference for three versions of the M105 articulated telescope.
It is especially relevant to work involving the gunner's secondary sighting equipment on M48-series, M60, and M60A1 tanks.
About This Manual
This Department of the Army Technical Manual TM 9-1240-262-34, dated January 31, 1963, is the field-maintenance publication for the M105, M105C, and M105D Articulated Telescopes.
Ideal For
This technical manual is a strong fit for:
- U.S. military technical-manual collectors
- M48-series, M60, and M60A1 tank researchers
- Military optical-instrument and fire-control historians
- Armored-vehicle restoration reference libraries
- Museum and Cold War tank documentation collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .25", Approx weight .4lbs.
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