Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1290-245-35P for M4A1 Fire Control Range Quadrant, July 1970
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual covers repair parts and special tools for the M4A1 Fire Control Range Quadrant, FSN 1290-759-7761. Published in July 1970, it supported higher-level maintenance of this precision artillery fire-control instrument. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include a quadrant, telescope, telescope mount, howitzer, cannon, carrying case, or other equipment.
Publication Details
TM 9-1290-245-35P was prepared for military maintenance and supply personnel responsible for identifying, ordering, and managing authorized parts for the M4A1 quadrant.
- Manual number: TM 9-1290-245-35P
- Publication date: July 1970
- Equipment: M4A1 Fire Control Range Quadrant
- Federal Stock Number: 1290-759-7761
- Later NSN format: 1290-00-759-7761
- Manual type: Field and depot maintenance repair parts and special tools list
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Item included: Technical manual only
Manual Coverage
The “35P” suffix identifies this publication as a parts and special-tools manual for field and depot maintenance. Manuals of this type helped personnel identify assemblies, replacement parts, and required tools through organized listings and illustrated diagrams. It served as a supply and maintenance reference rather than a complete operator or repair-instruction manual.
About the M4A1 Range Quadrant
The M4A1 was a manually operated instrument used to lay howitzers and cannons at the correct elevation. It was mounted so movement of the weapon in elevation was transferred to the quadrant. The gun crew used its scales, micrometer controls, and leveling system to apply elevation settings for direct or indirect fire. A built-in battery-powered lighting system allowed its markings to be read during night and low-light operations.
Associated Fire-Control Equipment
The M4A1 formed part of a larger sighting arrangement. On the M101A1 105mm howitzer, it worked with the M23 telescope mount and M16A1D elbow telescope for direct-fire aiming. Other instruments, including a panoramic telescope and its mount, supported indirect fire. Each component helped the crew aim the weapon accurately after receiving firing data.
- M23 Telescope Mount: Supported the direct-fire telescope
- M16A1D Elbow Telescope: Provided an optical view for direct fire
- M21A1 Telescope Mount: Supported the panoramic sighting equipment
- M12-series Panoramic Telescope: Supported indirect-fire laying
Weapon-System History
The M4A1 range quadrant is closely associated with the M101A1 105mm towed howitzer. The weapon began as the M2A1 family, which entered production in 1940 and became a standard U.S. light field howitzer during World War II. Later versions received the M101 and M101A1 designations. The howitzer was known for dependable service, useful firepower, and the ability to fire several types of 105mm ammunition in support of ground troops.
History of Use
The M101-series howitzer served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. By July 1970, newer M102 howitzers were entering service, but M101A1 weapons remained in military inventories and still required parts and maintenance support. The M4A1 quadrant helped gun crews apply accurate elevation settings during field operations, training, and fire missions. The howitzer family was also supplied to many allied nations, extending the service life of its fire-control equipment well beyond its original U.S. use.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1290-245-35P is a useful reference for studying Cold War artillery maintenance, Army supply practices, and the fire-control equipment used with the M101A1 howitzer. Its parts information may also help museums and restorers identify missing or incorrect components in surviving M4A1 quadrant assemblies.
Condition
This vintage military technical manual may show cover wear, edge wear, folds, yellowing, stains, writing, stamps, punched holes, loose pages, 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 manual is well suited for collections, restoration projects, research libraries, and historical displays covering American artillery and optical fire-control equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M101 and M101A1 howitzer research
- M4A1 range quadrant restoration
- Vietnam War artillery displays
- Military fire-control equipment collections
- Museum and archival reference libraries
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .2", 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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