Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-286-35P) for M115/T197 Periscope Mount July 1960

Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-286-35P) for M115/T197 Periscope Mount July 1960

Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-286-35P) for M115/T197 Periscope Mount – July 1960

Item Overview

This original U.S. Army technical manual provides the field and depot maintenance repair-parts and special-tools list for the M115 Periscope Mount, formerly designated T197. It was issued in July 1960 during the early service period of the M60 tank and its fire-control system.

This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include the M115 mount, M31 periscope, tank, tools, or other fire-control equipment.

Manual Contents

The manual covers information such as:

• Field and depot maintenance repair parts
• Major assemblies and smaller components
• Illustrated parts identification
• Official part names and numbers
• Required quantities
• Maintenance-level authorization
• Special-tools information
• Numerical parts indexes
• Supply and requisition references

This information is useful for identifying loose mount components and studying how the complete assembly was constructed.

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 fire-control system.

The mount secured the periscope while allowing boresight adjustment and connection to the ballistic-drive system. Locking and release controls helped personnel install, remove, and service the optic.

The M31 contained both a magnified aiming channel and a wide-angle observation window. The M31 was the optical instrument, while the M115 served as its mechanical support and alignment mount.

Historical Background

Published in July 1960, this manual belongs to the early support program for the M115 mount and the M31 gunner’s periscope. The system was associated with early M60-series tank fire control. The M115 mount was also documented with the M31 periscope on the 90-mm M48A3 Patton tank.

The M48A3 later saw extensive U.S. service during the Vietnam War. Its gunner’s optics supported target observation and accurate main-gun aiming.

This parts manual records the Army supply system used to keep these mounts serviceable. Its use of both the T197 and M115 designations also documents the transition from experimental development to standardized service.

Identification

• Manual number: TM 9-1240-286-35P
• Publication type: Field and Depot Maintenance Repair Parts and Special Tools List
• 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
• Companion maintenance manual: TM 9-1240-286-35

Collector and Research Value

This manual is a valuable companion to the M115/T197 field and depot maintenance manual. Its illustrated parts information is useful for M60 and M48A3 research, restoration work, component identification, and military-optics displays.

Ideal For

• U.S. Army technical-manual collections
• M60 and M48A3 tank research
• M115/T197 component 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.

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