Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-276-35P) for T176E2 and T176E3 Elbow Telescopes January 1963
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-276-35P) for T176E2 and T176E3 Elbow Telescopes – January 1963
Item Overview
This January 1963 U.S. Army technical manual is the repair-parts and special-tools publication for the T176E2 and T176E3 Elbow Telescopes. These precision optical instruments were developed for the fire-control systems of early self-propelled howitzers.
The T176E3 was later standardized as the M118 Elbow Telescope, while the T176E2 became the M118C configuration. These telescopes were associated with the M108 105mm and M109 155mm self-propelled howitzers.
This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include an elbow telescope, telescope mount, tools, or replacement parts.
Historical Background
The T176E2 and T176E3 were developed during the creation of a new family of tracked artillery vehicles. The M108 and M109 were standardized in 1963, the same year this manual was issued.
The T176-series telescopes provided a magnified optical line of sight for aiming at visible targets. They were especially important during direct-fire missions. The two versions performed similar jobs but used configurations suited to their assigned weapon systems.
The standardized M118 family continued serving with later M109 variants. This manual preserves early parts information from the transition between experimental T-series equipment and standardized M-series fire-control components.
Manual Contents
TM 9-1240-276-35P was prepared to help maintenance personnel identify authorized repair parts and equipment. Its contents include:
- Major telescope assemblies
- Optical and mechanical components
- Reticle, lens, and eyepiece parts
- Housing and adjustment components
- Exploded assembly illustrations
- Part-number and stock-number references
- Quantity and application information
- Special tools and maintenance equipment
- Numerical parts indexes
The illustrated-parts format also makes this manual useful for identifying incomplete or disassembled telescope components.
Collector and Research Value
This manual is a valuable reference for M118-series telescope owners, military-optics collectors, and artillery restoration projects. Its January 1963 date connects it directly to the early history of the M108 and M109 self-propelled howitzers.
Ideal For
- T176E2 and T176E3 telescope identification
- M118 and M118C restoration research
- M108 and M109 howitzer projects
- Military-optics collections
- U.S. Army artillery displays
- Museum and technical-library collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .2", Approx weight .2lbs.
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