Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1240-372-34P for M3, M7, M13, M13A1, M15A1, M16, and M17A1 Binoculars, July 1972
Item Overview
This official U.S. Army technical manual provides repair-parts and special-tools information for the M3, M7, M13, M13A1, M15A1, M16, and M17A1 military binoculars. Published as TM 9-1240-372-34P in July 1972, it was prepared for direct support and general support maintenance personnel. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include binoculars, carrying cases, straps, tools, or other optical equipment.
Identification and Features
The “-34P” suffix identifies this as a direct support and general support maintenance repair-parts and special-tools list. It also includes depot maintenance repair parts and special tools. The publication helps technicians identify authorized components through part descriptions, stock numbers, illustrations, and maintenance data.
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-372-34P
- Publication date: July 1972
- Equipment covered: M3, M7, M13, M13A1, M15A1, M16, and M17A1 binoculars
- Manual type: Repair parts and special tools list
- Maintenance levels: Direct support and general support
- Additional coverage: Depot maintenance repair parts and special tools
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Format: Illustrated loose-leaf technical publication
- Item included: Technical manual only
Binocular Models and Federal Stock Numbers
The manual covers seven binocular models, each identified by its assigned Federal Stock Number. These numbers helped military supply and maintenance personnel order the correct assemblies and replacement parts.
- M3 Binocular: FSN 1240-670-2491
- M7 Binocular: FSN 1240-620-2500
- M13 Binocular: FSN 1240-207-2508
- M13A1 Binocular: FSN 1240-530-0973
- M15A1 Binocular: FSN 1240-530-0959
- M16 Binocular: FSN 1240-670-2514
- M17A1 Binocular: FSN 1240-530-0974
Manual Coverage
TM 9-1240-372-34P was designed to support higher-level maintenance rather than explain normal field operation. Its illustrated parts information helped technicians identify optical, mechanical, body, adjustment, and hardware components used in the covered binoculars. It also identified authorized tools and related support items needed for inspection, repair, rebuilding, adjustment, and testing.
Publication History
This July 1972 publication superseded TM 9-6650-208-35P from September 1962, including all changes. Earlier Army maintenance publications had grouped many of these binocular models together by the end of World War II and during the early Cold War. The updated 1972 manual reflects the Army’s continued effort to standardize repair parts and maintenance support for older optical equipment still held in the supply system.
History of the Binocular Family
These binocular models represent several generations of U.S. military field optics. The M3 became a widely issued World War II binocular, while later models and improved variants expanded the Army’s available optical equipment during the postwar and Cold War periods. Differences between models included optical size, magnification, reticle arrangement, housing design, and intended service role.
History of Use
Military binoculars gave personnel a portable way to study terrain, identify targets, observe troop movement, watch the fall of artillery fire, and inspect distant positions. They were used by infantry leaders, artillery observers, reconnaissance personnel, vehicle crews, and other units that required magnified vision. These binoculars were support instruments rather than parts of one specific weapon system, allowing them to serve with many units and types of equipment.
Collector and Research Value
This manual is a useful reference for identifying parts and studying the construction of several important U.S. military binocular models. It is well suited for collectors, museums, optical-equipment restorers, and historians researching World War II, Korean War, Vietnam-era, and Cold War field optics.
Condition
This vintage military technical manual may show cover wear, edge wear, folds, yellowing, stains, writing, stamps, loose pages, punched holes, or other signs of age and storage. Printing details and condition may vary between available copies. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This publication is a specialized addition to military-optics collections, restoration libraries, and exhibits covering the development and maintenance of American field binoculars.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- Military binocular restoration projects
- World War II and Cold War optics displays
- Repair-parts identification
- Military-equipment research libraries
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .25", Approx weight .5lbs.
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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