Description
Technical Manual (TM 9-1240-309-35) for XM44 Tank Periscope May 1966 FSN 1240-788-5463
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1240-309-35 for XM44 Tank Periscope, Official Reprint with Change 1, May 1966, FSN 1240-788-5463
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual covers higher-level maintenance for the XM44 Tank Periscope, FSN 1240-788-5463. Issued as TM 9-1240-309-35 in May 1966, it supported military technicians responsible for repairing this advanced optical and electronic fire-control instrument.
This is an official reprint containing the current pages from Change 1. It is a consolidated manual, not a separate Change 1 page packet.
This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include an XM44 periscope, image-intensifier tube, mount, M551 Sheridan, or other fire-control equipment.
Official Reprint and Change Status
This edition combines the original manual with the pages made current by Change 1. It provides a working reference without requiring the buyer to locate and insert a separate change packet.
The May 1966 publication date remains part of the manual’s identity. The incorporated change pages reflect corrections or revised maintenance information issued after the original printing.
About the XM44 Tank Periscope
The XM44 was the gunner’s primary night fire-control periscope for the M551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle. It combined a unity-power daylight viewing system with a passive low-light channel offering approximately 9-power magnification.
The passive system used available light and an image-intensifier tube to improve the gunner’s view at night. A reticle-projector system placed an aiming pattern over the target image.
The periscope had two main sections. Its head assembly gathered light and allowed the field of view to move with the weapon. Its body assembly contained the viewing optics, image-intensifier system, controls, and projected reticle.
M551 Sheridan Application
The XM44 was part of the Sheridan’s fire-control system. The M551 was a lightweight armored vehicle designed for reconnaissance, airborne operations, and mobile fire support.
Its main weapon was the 152mm M81 gun/launcher, which could fire conventional ammunition and the MGM-51 Shillelagh guided missile. The XM44 provided daylight observation and passive night aiming for conventional fire. Separate telescope and tracking equipment supported the guided-missile system.
The XM prefix shows that the periscope was documented under an experimental designation. Later XM44E1 through XM44E4 versions continued the development of this basic sighting system. This 1966 manual specifically covers the original XM44 configuration.
Historical Background
TM 9-1240-309-35 was published during the final development and early production period of the M551 Sheridan. The Sheridan entered Army service in the late 1960s and later saw combat during the Vietnam War.
Passive night-vision equipment was a major advance over earlier active infrared systems, which required a separate infrared light source. The XM44 allowed the gunner to use available light, reducing the need for active illumination.
This manual records the maintenance methods used to support one of the Army’s early vehicle-mounted passive night-sighting systems. Its official reprint status also shows how technical information was updated as field experience and equipment knowledge increased.
Publication Details
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-309-35
- Publication date: May 1966
- Subject: XM44 Tank Periscope
- Publication type: Official reprint
- Incorporated update: Current pages from Change 1
- Federal Stock Number: 1240-788-5463
- Manual level: Direct support, general support, and depot maintenance
- Optical functions: Unity-power daylight viewing and 9-power passive low-light viewing
- Equipment role: Gunner’s night fire-control periscope
- Parent vehicle: M551 Sheridan
- Associated weapon: 152mm M81 Gun/Launcher
- Equipment status when documented: Experimental or pre-standardized
- Item included: Technical manual only
Collector and Research Value
This official reprint is a specialized addition to a U.S. Army technical-manual, armored-vehicle, night-vision, or military-optics collection. It is useful for studying the M551 Sheridan and the development of early passive fire-control systems.
Ideal For
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M551 Sheridan research and displays
- XM44 tank-periscope restoration references
- Vietnam War armored-vehicle exhibits
- Early passive night-vision collections
- Military optics and fire-control research
- Museum and archival reference libraries
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .5", Approx weight 1lbs.
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