Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-295-35P) for M138 Telescope Mount October 1962
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1240-295-35P for M138 Telescope Mount, October 1962
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual is a repair-parts and special-tools reference for the M138 Telescope Mount. Issued as TM 9-1240-295-35P in October 1962, it helped military personnel identify and order components required for higher-level maintenance.
This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include an M138 mount, elbow telescope, elevation quadrant, artillery weapon, tools, or replacement parts.
About the M138 Telescope Mount
The M138 was designed to hold and position an elbow telescope used for direct artillery fire. Early configurations supported the M116 and M116C Elbow Telescopes. The mount was later used with the M139 Elbow Telescope on updated M110A2 equipment.
The mount includes a support assembly, telescope clamp, bracket, adapter, and electrical system. Its adjustment mechanisms allow the telescope’s elevation and deflection to be set and locked.
Vehicle power operates the instrument light for low-light and nighttime use. The mount does not provide a sight picture by itself; that function comes from the attached elbow telescope.
Documented Artillery Applications
The M138 mount was used with the M107 175-mm Self-Propelled Gun and M110 8-inch Self-Propelled Howitzer families.
On the M107, the M116C telescope and M138 mount formed part of the right gunner’s direct-fire sighting equipment. The M138 supported and positioned the telescope, while the M15 Elevation Quadrant helped the crew establish the required elevation.
Historical Background
TM 9-1240-295-35P was published as the U.S. Army introduced a new generation of tracked heavy artillery. The M107 and M110 entered service during the early 1960s and later saw combat during the Vietnam War.
Accurate direct-fire equipment depended on properly fitted replacement parts. Wear or damage inside the mount could shift the telescope and reduce accuracy. Illustrated parts manuals helped Army repair facilities identify each component and keep these fire-control systems in service.
The M138 remained in military use through later versions of the M110, making this early 1962 publication an important record of its original support system.
Publication Details
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-295-35P
- Publication date: October 1962
- Subject: M138 Telescope Mount
- Federal Stock Number: 1240-896-2240
- Later NSN format: 1240-00-896-2240
- Part number: 8587500
- Manual type: Field-and-depot maintenance repair parts and special tools list
- Original associated telescopes: M116 and M116C Elbow Telescopes
- Later associated telescope: M139 Elbow Telescope
- Documented artillery systems: M107 and M110 families
- Primary role: Direct-fire telescope support and adjustment
- 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 M138 mount, M116C telescope, M107 gun, or M110 howitzer.
Ideal For
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M138 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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