Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1240-356-35P for M92F Elbow Telescope, September 1970
Item Overview
This original U.S. Army technical manual is the direct-support, general-support, and depot-maintenance repair-parts reference for the M92F Elbow Telescope. Issued as TM 9-1240-356-35P in September 1970, it helped maintenance and supply personnel identify and order components for this 106mm recoilless-rifle sight. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include an M92F telescope, telescope mount, recoilless rifle, or other fire-control equipment.
Identification and Features
The “35P” suffix identifies this as a higher-level repair-parts and special-tools publication. It focuses on illustrated parts identification and supply information rather than complete operating or repair procedures.
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-356-35P
- Publication date: September 1970
- Subject: M92F Elbow Telescope
- Official item name: Telescope, Elbow
- Part number: 8286960
- Federal Stock Number: 1240-886-5888
- Later National Stock Number: 1240-00-886-5888
- Federal Supply Class: 1240, Optical Sighting and Ranging Equipment
- Manual type: Repair parts and special tools list
- Maintenance levels: Direct support, general support, and depot maintenance
- Associated mount: M90 Telescope Mount
- Primary weapon application: M40A2 and M40A4 106mm Recoilless Rifles
- Primary sighting role: Direct fire
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Item included: Technical manual only
Manual Coverage
This publication supports parts identification, ordering, and higher-level maintenance of the M92F telescope. It provides illustrated parts breakdowns, item numbers, official part names, stock and manufacturer numbers, quantities, supply codes, maintenance codes, and special-tool information. The diagrams help technicians identify optical, mechanical, and sealing components within the telescope assembly.
How the M92F Telescope Worked
The M92F was an elbow-style optical sight containing lenses, prisms, a reticle, and an eyepiece assembly. Its angled optical path allowed the gunner to view through the sight from a practical position beside the large recoilless rifle. Installed in the M90 mount, the telescope provided a direct line of sight and aiming reference for visible targets. The mount supplied the alignment and cant-correction adjustments needed to keep the sight matched with the weapon.
Weapon-System Application
The M92F was used with M40A2 and M40A4 106mm Recoilless Rifles. These weapons also carried an M8C .50-caliber spotting rifle that fired special ammunition with a trajectory similar to the main round. The gunner used the M92F to aim, then fired the spotting rifle to check the predicted impact point before firing the 106mm cartridge.
Historical Background
The M40 was developed during the early 1950s as an improved replacement for the earlier M27 recoilless rifle. Its bore was approximately 105mm, but the Army called it 106mm to prevent confusion with incompatible ammunition. The weapon was designed mainly for direct fire against armored vehicles and fortified positions. The M92F was a later member of the M92 elbow-telescope family and formed part of the improved sighting equipment used with later M40 configurations.
History of Use
M40-series recoilless rifles served with the U.S. military and many allied countries. During the Vietnam War, they were used against bunkers, buildings, fortified positions, and armored targets. The rifle could be operated from a ground mount or installed on vehicles, while six M40-series rifles formed the main armament of the M50 Ontos. The M92F and M90 mount were documented with the ground-mount equipment for M40A2 and M40A4 rifles and remained supported after the Vietnam era.
Condition
Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item. This listing is for one TM 9-1240-356-35P technical manual only; the M92F telescope, M90 mount, M40 recoilless rifle, spotting rifle, and other equipment are not included.
Ideal For
This specialized publication is useful for collectors, restorers, museums, and researchers studying U.S. recoilless rifles and military optical equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M92F elbow-telescope restoration
- M90 telescope-mount research
- M40 106mm recoilless-rifle displays
- Vietnam War weapon exhibits
- Direct-fire optical-sight collections
- Military fire-control equipment research
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", 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.
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