Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1290-277-35 for M3 (T16) Cant Corrector, February 1960
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual covers the M3 Cant Corrector, formerly designated T16 during development. Published as TM 9-1290-277-35 in February 1960, it supported higher-level maintenance of this specialized tank fire-control component. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include a cant corrector, sight, ballistic computer, gun, tank, or other equipment.
Publication Details
This Cold War publication was prepared for trained military maintenance personnel responsible for supporting the M3 Cant Corrector and its related fire-control installation.
- Manual number: TM 9-1290-277-35
- Publication date: February 1960
- Subject: M3 Cant Corrector
- Developmental designation: T16
- Manual level: Field and depot maintenance
- Additional coverage: Repair-parts information
- Documented application: M103A1 heavy-tank fire-control system
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Item included: Technical manual only
Manual Coverage
The manual helped Army maintenance shops identify assemblies, support repairs, and obtain replacement parts for the cant corrector. Information at this level was intended for work beyond routine crew or organizational care. It provides a useful reference for understanding the unit’s construction, service parts, and connection to the tank’s other fire-control equipment.
About the M3 Cant Corrector
A tank may lean to one side when it rests or moves across uneven ground. This condition, called cant, can tilt the gun’s operating plane and reduce accuracy. The M3 Cant Corrector allowed the gunner to enter a correction for up to 15 degrees of vehicle cant in either direction. The unit was installed beside the M44 Infinity Sight at the M103A1 gunner’s station. Its T16 designation identifies the equipment during development, while M3 was its standardized service designation.
Associated Fire-Control System
The M3 worked as part of the M103A1’s mechanical and optical fire-control system. Related equipment included the M14 Ballistics Computer, M29 Gunner’s Periscope, M102 Telescope, M15 Stereoscopic Rangefinder, and M44 Infinity Sight. The commander measured range while the computer calculated the needed gun elevation for the selected ammunition. Cant correction helped the crew apply that solution when the tank was not level.
M103A1 Weapon-System History
The M103 family began as the T43 heavy-tank program during the early Cold War. It was designed to defeat Soviet heavy tanks at long range. After extensive testing and modification, the vehicle was standardized as the M103 in 1956. The improved M103A1 entered service near the end of the 1950s with a redesigned turret layout and more advanced fire-control equipment. Its main weapon was the powerful rifled 120mm M58 gun, which used separate projectiles and propelling charges and required two loaders.
History of Use
The February 1960 publication date places this manual at the start of M103A1 service. The U.S. Army operated M103A1 tanks with heavy armor units in West Germany until 1963, while the U.S. Marine Corps used the M103 family for heavy fire support and training into the early 1970s. Later M103A2 tanks received a diesel engine, improved rangefinder, and other updates. The M103 family was never used in combat, but it served as an important Cold War defense system while the military moved from separate heavy and medium tanks toward the modern main battle tank.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1290-277-35 is a specialized reference for studying the M103A1, the 120mm M58 gun, and early mechanical tank fire-control systems. It is useful for technical-manual collections, museum research, vehicle restoration, and displays covering American Cold War armor.
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, research projects, restoration references, and exhibits related to American heavy tanks and military fire-control equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M103 and M103A1 heavy-tank research
- M3 and T16 Cant Corrector references
- 120mm M58 tank-gun displays
- Cold War fire-control system studies
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .2", Approx weight .25lbs.
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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