Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1290-322-35P for M15/T23E2 Elevation Fire Control Quadrant, July 1970
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual is the direct support, general support, and depot maintenance repair parts and special tools list for the M15 Elevation Fire Control Quadrant, formerly designated T23E2. Issued in July 1970, it covers the quadrant identified by FSN 1290-896-2236. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include an M15 quadrant, weapon, vehicle, spare parts, tools, or other equipment.
Publication Details
This illustrated parts publication was prepared for supply and maintenance personnel responsible for identifying and ordering components used in the M15 quadrant.
- Manual number: TM 9-1290-322-35P
- Publication date: July 1970
- Subject: M15/T23E2 Elevation Fire Control Quadrant
- Federal Stock Number: 1290-896-2236
- Later National Stock Number: 1290-00-896-2236
- Manual type: Repair parts and special tools list
- Maintenance levels: Direct support, general support, and depot
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Item included: Technical manual only
Manual Coverage
The “35P” suffix identifies this as a higher-level parts publication rather than an operating or repair-instruction manual. It was designed to help personnel locate authorized replacement parts, special tools, and support equipment. Manuals of this type commonly organize parts by functional group and use illustrations, item numbers, Federal Stock Numbers, and reference numbers to support identification and ordering.
About the M15/T23E2 Quadrant
The M15 is a mechanical fire-control instrument used to set and measure a weapon’s elevation in mils. T23E2 was its development designation before it was standardized as the M15. The quadrant was attached to the gun or mount and used graduated controls, level vials, and fine adjustments to show the angle of the weapon. Its cross-level system helped correct for vehicle or carriage cant when the artillery piece stood on uneven ground.
Documented Weapon Applications
The M15 formed part of the sighting equipment installed on several American self-propelled artillery systems introduced during the early Cold War.
- M108 105mm self-propelled howitzer
- M109-series 155mm self-propelled howitzer
- M107 175mm self-propelled gun
- M110-series 8-inch self-propelled howitzer
Weapon-System History
The M108 and M109 were related turreted artillery vehicles developed to give Army units mobile fire support. The 105mm M108 had a shorter U.S. service life, while the 155mm M109 became a long-serving howitzer family. The M107 and M110 shared another tracked chassis. The M107 carried a long-range 175mm gun, while the M110 used an 8-inch howitzer for heavy fire support. Each system needed accurate mechanical fire-control equipment to turn firing data into the correct weapon elevation.
History of Use
The July 1970 publication date places this manual during the Vietnam War, when American self-propelled artillery was in active field service. Crews used the M15 to set the elevation ordered for indirect-fire missions and to check the gun’s position before firing. Repair and supply personnel used parts manuals like this one to identify worn or damaged components and obtain the correct replacements. The M15 continued to support later versions of the M109 and M110, giving the instrument a service history that extended beyond the early models covered during its development.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1290-322-35P is a specialized reference for studying the M15 quadrant, Vietnam-era artillery, and Army repair-parts systems. Its illustrated parts information may also assist museums and restorers working with surviving fire-control equipment. It pairs well with TM 9-1290-322-35, the separate maintenance manual for the M15/T23E2 quadrant.
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 work, and exhibits covering Cold War and Vietnam-era artillery.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M15 and T23E2 quadrant research
- M108 and M109 howitzer displays
- M107 and M110 artillery research
- Vietnam War military collections
- Museum and archival reference collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .25", Approx weight .4lbs.
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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