Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-274-50) for M117/T177 Panoramic Telescope January 1964
This Technical Manual TM 9-1240-274-50 covers the M117/T177 Panoramic Telescope and is dated January 1964. It provides depot-level maintenance information for this artillery fire-control instrument.
The M117 was a counter-type panoramic telescope used to lay a howitzer in azimuth for indirect fire. This publication is a focused reference for collectors and researchers studying military optics, artillery sights, and period maintenance practices.
Historical Significance
This manual dates from the early Cold War period, when the U.S. Army was fielding a new generation of self-propelled artillery. The M117 panoramic telescope formed part of the fire-control equipment used with the M108 and M109 self-propelled howitzers.
Its January 1964 date places the publication within the early service period of these artillery systems. It documents the specialized maintenance support required for their optical and mechanical sighting equipment.
M108 and M109 Howitzer Relationship
The M117 panoramic telescope mounted in the M145 Telescope Mount. This combination helped crews lay the 105mm M108 and 155mm M109 self-propelled howitzers in azimuth for indirect fire.
This manual covers the panoramic telescope itself. It is not a complete operator or maintenance manual for either howitzer.
What This Manual Covers
TM 9-1240-274-50 is dedicated to depot-level maintenance of the M117/T177 Panoramic Telescope. It serves as a system-specific technical reference for the telescope’s optical, mechanical, and counter-related components.
Its maintenance scope is intended for work above the operator and organizational levels. The publication helps document how Army maintenance personnel supported this precision artillery sight.
Key Features
- Official publication number TM 9-1240-274-50
- Dated January 1964
- Covers the M117/T177 Panoramic Telescope
- Focused on depot-level maintenance
- Connected with the fire-control equipment used on the M108 and M109 self-propelled howitzers
- Useful reference for military optical and mechanical sighting systems
Why This Manual Matters
This manual preserves period technical information about an important panoramic artillery sight. It provides a focused reference for understanding the maintenance practices behind the M117/T177 and its role within early M108 and M109 fire-control systems.
It also complements collections centered on U.S. Army artillery, self-propelled howitzers, military optics, fire-control instruments, and Cold War technical publications.
About This Manual
This is U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1240-274-50, dated January 1964. Its documented subject is the M117/T177 Panoramic Telescope, with a depot-maintenance focus.
The publication concerns the telescope rather than the complete M108 or M109 self-propelled howitzer.
Ideal For
- U.S. military technical-manual collectors
- M108 and M109 self-propelled howitzer researchers
- Military-optics and fire-control collectors
- Artillery museums and educational displays
- Restoration and technical-reference libraries
- Cold War military-history collections
- Film and prop research departments
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .35", Approx weight .5lbs.
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