Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-293-35P) for M137/T186E3 Telescope Mount October 1962
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1240-293-35P for M137/T186E3 Telescope Mount, October 1962
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual is a repair-parts and special-tools reference for the M137/T186E3 Telescope Mount. Issued as TM 9-1240-293-35P in October 1962, it supported military personnel responsible for identifying and ordering components needed for higher-level maintenance.
This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include an M137 telescope mount, M115 telescope, artillery weapon, tools, or replacement parts.
About the M137/T186E3 Telescope Mount
The T186E3 was the developmental designation for the mount later standardized as the M137. It was designed to hold and support the separate M115 Panoramic Telescope.
The M137 provides elevation and cant, or cross-level, adjustments for indirect artillery fire. It consists of upper and lower subassemblies. The upper section supports the telescope and electrical equipment, while the lower section contains the mounting bracket and adjustment controls.
A built-in lighting system receives power from the vehicle. This allowed the fire-control equipment to be used during low-light and nighttime operations.
Documented Artillery Applications
The M137 mount and M115 telescope were used with the M107 175-mm Self-Propelled Gun and M110 8-inch Self-Propelled Howitzer families.
The telescope provided the sight picture and directional readings. The M137 held the telescope in position and allowed the crew to make the elevation and cross-level corrections needed for accurate indirect fire.
Historical Background
TM 9-1240-293-35P was published during the early Cold War as the U.S. Army introduced a new family of tracked heavy-artillery weapons. The M137 mount and M115 telescope were used with the M107 175-mm Self-Propelled Gun and M110 8-inch Self-Propelled Howitzer families. The telescope provided the sight picture and directional readings. The M137 held the telescope in position and allowed the crew to make the elevation and cross-level corrections needed for accurate indirect fire.
Precision fire-control equipment required careful maintenance. A worn gear, damaged bracket, or incorrect replacement part could affect the alignment of the telescope. Illustrated parts manuals helped Army repair personnel identify each component and keep these mounts in service.
The use of both M137 and T186E3 in the title records the mount’s transition from an experimental design to standardized military equipment.
Publication Details
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-293-35P
- Publication date: October 1962
- Subject: M137/T186E3 Telescope Mount
- Standardized designation: M137
- Developmental designation: T186E3
- Federal Stock Number: 1240-895-6492
- Later NSN format: 1240-00-895-6492
- Part number: 8587295
- Manual type: Field-and-depot maintenance repair parts and special tools list
- Associated telescope: M115 Panoramic Telescope
- Documented artillery systems: M107 and M110 families
- Item included: Technical manual only
Collector and Research Value
This manual is a specialized addition to a U.S. Army technical-publication, artillery, or military-optics collection. Its parts information can assist with component identification, restoration research, and the study of Cold War fire-control equipment.
It is also useful for museums, historians, and collectors researching the M137 mount, M115 telescope, M107 gun, or M110 howitzer.
Ideal For
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M137 telescope-mount parts research
- M107 and M110 artillery displays
- Cold War and Vietnam War collections
- Military-optics restoration references
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .15", Approx weight .2lbs.
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