Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-286-35) for M115/T197 Periscope Mount July 1960
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-286-35) for M115/T197 Periscope Mount – July 1960
Item Overview
This original U.S. Army technical manual covers field and depot maintenance for the M115 Periscope Mount, formerly designated T197. Issued in July 1960, it was written for trained personnel responsible for advanced repair and rebuilding work.
This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include the M115 mount, M31 periscope, tank, tools, or other fire-control equipment.
About the M115/T197 Periscope Mount
The T197 was the developmental designation for the mount later standardized as the M115. It was designed to hold and align the M31 gunner’s periscope within a tank’s fire-control system.
The mount secured the periscope while allowing boresight adjustments and connection to the ballistic-drive system. Locking and release controls allowed the optic to be installed or removed while maintaining a stable mounting position.
The M31 periscope provided both a magnified aiming channel and a wide-angle observation window. The periscope contained the optical system, while the M115 served as its mechanical support and alignment mount.
Historical Background
TM 9-1240-286-35 was published during the early Cold War as the Army introduced a new generation of tank fire-control equipment. The M31 periscope and M115 mount were associated with early M60-series tank fire control. The M115 mount was also documented with the M31 gunner’s periscope on the 90-mm M48A3 Patton tank.
The M48A3 later served extensively during the Vietnam War. Its fire-control equipment helped the gunner observe targets, align the sight, and aim the tank’s main weapon.
This 1960 manual records the specialized repair methods used when the M115 was still a new system. Its use of both the M115 and T197 designations makes it especially useful for studying the transition from experimental equipment to standardized Army service.
Identification
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-286-35
- Official type: Field and Depot Maintenance Manual
- Equipment: Periscope Mount M115
- Developmental designation: T197
- Publication date: July 1960
- Compatible optical equipment: M31 gunner’s periscope
- Equipment category: Tank optical and fire-control mounting equipment
- Documented vehicle family: M60 and M48A3 tanks
Collector and Research Value
This manual is a useful reference for identifying M115 mount parts and understanding early tank fire-control maintenance. It is well suited for military-optics collections, armored-vehicle research, restoration projects, and museum archives.
Ideal For
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M60 and M48A3 tank research
- M115/T197 mount identification
- M31 periscope restoration reference
- Cold War and Vietnam-era displays
- Military optics and fire-control archives
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .15", Approx weight .2lbs.
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