Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1290-347-34P for M1A2 Aiming Post, October 1971
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual is the direct support and general support maintenance repair-parts and special-tools list for the M1A2 Aiming Post, FSN 1290-535-7617. Issued on October 6, 1971, it also includes parts and support equipment authorized for depot maintenance. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include an aiming post, cover, light, chest, mortar, artillery weapon, or other equipment.
Publication Details
The “34P” suffix identifies this publication as a higher-level repair-parts and special-tools list. The information was current as of September 30, 1971.
- Manual number: TM 9-1290-347-34P
- Publication date: October 6, 1971
- Subject: Post, Aiming: M1A2
- Federal Stock Number: 1290-535-7617
- Reference number: 7687114
- 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
TM 9-1290-347-34P provides illustrated parts breakdowns, Federal Stock Numbers, reference numbers, maintenance codes, recoverability codes, and authorized repair-parts allowances. Listed M1A2 components include the tubular post sections, identification plate, pin, screws, rivet, and compression spring. The manual also covers the M401 aiming-post cover, M14 aiming-post light, red and green light filters, replacement lamp, and M14 and M21 lighting-equipment chests. This is a parts-reference publication rather than a complete operator’s instruction manual.
About the M1A2 Aiming Post
The M1A2 is a sectional fire-control post with contrasting painted bands and a pointed end that can be driven into the ground. It provided a clear reference point for mortar and artillery sights when crews laid or relaid a weapon. Aiming posts were especially important during indirect fire because the target was often beyond the crew’s direct view. The sections could be separated for transport and protected inside an M401 carrying cover.
Documented Weapon-System Applications
The M1A2 was a shared fire-control accessory rather than a part made for one weapon. The 1971 manual identifies related publications for the following mortar, artillery, and rocket-launcher systems.
- 81mm M29, M29A1, and M29E1 mortars with M23-series mounts
- 4.2-inch M30 mortar with M24 or M24A1 mount
- 60mm M31 subcaliber mortar
- 105mm M101, M101A1, and M102 towed howitzers
- 155mm M114 and M114A1 towed howitzers
- 155mm M123A1 auxiliary-propelled howitzer
- 8-inch towed heavy howitzer
- 115mm M91 multiple rocket launcher
- M84 4.2-inch and M106 107mm self-propelled mortar carriers
- 105mm M52, M52A1, and M108 self-propelled howitzers
- 155mm M44, M44A1, and M109 self-propelled howitzers
- 155mm M53 and 175mm M107 self-propelled guns
- 8-inch M55 and M110 self-propelled howitzers
Aiming-System History
Portable aiming posts became standard artillery and mortar equipment because they gave crews a simple and dependable direction reference. The M1A2 continued this traditional system while supporting weapons developed during World War II and the early Cold War, as well as newer equipment introduced during the 1960s. This manual replaced the M1A2 section of the earlier ORD 8 F34 parts publication, showing the Army’s move from older Ordnance Department catalogs to the later technical-manual system.
History of Use
Crews placed aiming posts along a chosen sight line and viewed them through the weapon’s panoramic telescope or mortar sight. If recoil or ground movement shifted the weapon, the changed sight picture helped the crew detect the movement and correct the weapon’s direction. The M14 aiming-post light could be mounted for night operations, while red and green filters helped distinguish reference points in darkness. The M1A2 served across several generations of U.S. mortar and artillery equipment used during the postwar, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Cold War periods.
Collector and Research Value
This manual documents a widely used but often overlooked part of American indirect-fire equipment. Its illustrated parts breakdowns and broad application list make it useful for identifying M1A2 components, researching period artillery accessories, and restoring mortar or howitzer displays. It also shows how one standardized aiming device supported many different weapon systems.
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 specialized manual is well suited for collections, research projects, restoration references, and museum displays covering American mortar and artillery equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M1A2 aiming-post identification and restoration
- Mortar and artillery fire-control research
- M101, M102, M114, M107, M109, and M110 displays
- Vietnam War and Cold War equipment collections
- Museum, archival, and educational exhibits
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.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times.