Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-276-34) for T176E2 and T176E3 Elbow Telescopes January 1963
This U.S. Army technical manual covers the T176E2 and T176E3 Elbow Telescopes. Published in January 1963, it provides field maintenance information for these related direct-fire optical instruments.
The telescope family later continued under the M118 and M118C designations. These instruments supported the direct-fire sighting systems used on the M108 105 mm and M109 155 mm self-propelled howitzers.
Historical Significance
This manual was published as the M108 and M109 self-propelled howitzers entered service during the Cold War. These vehicles gave Army artillery units greater mobility and faster deployment.
The manual also records the use of developmental “T” designations before the equipment received standardized “M” designations.
M108 and M109 Direct-Fire Sighting Systems
An elbow telescope gave the gunner an optical line of sight for engaging a visible target. It helped position the howitzer in azimuth and elevation during direct fire.
Later M118 and M118C configurations served the M108 and M109 weapon systems. Their reticles were configured for the applicable weapon.
What This Manual Covers
TM 9-1240-276-34 provides field maintenance information for the T176E2 and T176E3 Elbow Telescopes. Its subject is the telescope assemblies rather than complete vehicle, weapon, or telescope-mount maintenance.
Key Features
- Official U.S. Army technical manual
- Manual number TM 9-1240-276-34
- Dated January 1963
- Covers T176E2 and T176E3 Elbow Telescopes
- Field maintenance publication
- Documents early M118-family optical equipment
- Associated with M108 and M109 direct-fire sighting systems
Why This Manual Matters
This publication preserves technical information about an important artillery sighting instrument. It also helps document the transition from developmental equipment to standardized optical systems used with early M108 and M109 self-propelled howitzers.
About This Manual
TM 9-1240-276-34 is a period U.S. Army field maintenance manual. It covers two related elbow telescope models and reflects Army artillery technology at the beginning of the 1960s.
Ideal For
- U.S. Army technical manual collectors
- M108 and M109 researchers
- Military vehicle restoration projects
- Artillery fire-control equipment collectors
- Military optics researchers
- Museums and historical displays
- Cold War military historians
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .2", Approx weight .2lbs.
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