Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1300-251-20 for Artillery Ammunition, December 1973
Item Overview
TM 9-1300-251-20 is a U.S. Army organizational maintenance manual for artillery ammunition used in guns, howitzers, mortars, recoilless rifles, and 40mm grenade launchers. It provides a reference for studying the ammunition support behind Cold War weapons. This listing is for the technical manual only; ammunition, weapons, and tools are not included.
Publication Details
This publication belongs to the Army’s technical manual series covering ammunition service and maintenance. The “-20” designation identifies its organizational maintenance level, meaning work assigned to the military unit responsible for the ammunition.
- Manual number: TM 9-1300-251-20
- Publication date: December 21, 1973
- Title: Artillery Ammunition for Guns, Howitzers, Mortars, Recoilless Rifles, and 40mm Grenade Launchers
- Manual type: Organizational maintenance
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Language: English
Manual Coverage
The manual’s scope includes conventional and improved conventional ammunition in calibers ranging from 37mm through 8 inches. It brings several ammunition families into one maintenance reference, reflecting the variety of rounds supported by Army units. Its focus is the service and care of ammunition, with weapon operating instructions provided in the separate manuals for each gun or launcher.
Weapon-System History
The equipment covered belongs to a long line of artillery development. Rifled barrels, stronger steel, improved recoil systems, and smokeless powder helped turn early cannon into modern guns and howitzers. During the twentieth century, motor transport and self-propelled mounts made heavy artillery more mobile. Mortars, recoilless rifles, and grenade launchers also gave troops different forms of supporting fire. This manual reflects the maintenance needs created by that broad mix of weapons.
Historical Background and Use
Published during the Cold War and the final years of the Vietnam War, this edition documents the Army’s approach to supporting ammunition at unit level. The U.S. Army Field Artillery School cited TM 9-1300-251-20 in its February 1983 training handbook, showing its continued place in military instruction a decade after publication. A replacement edition, TM 9-1300-251-20&P, superseded the December 1973 manual in May 1994.
Collector and Research Value
This manual helps collectors and researchers place ammunition within the larger story of Army maintenance and supply. Its broad subject makes it useful for comparing how different weapon families were supported. For museum exhibits, it adds documentary context to ammunition containers, inert ordnance, and military equipment displays.
Condition
This vintage military technical manual may show cover wear, edge wear, folds, yellowing, stains, writing, stamps, punched holes, or other signs of age and storage. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This publication suits collections and research projects focused on military technical literature and ammunition support.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- Cold War ordnance research
- Artillery and infantry-support weapon exhibits
- Military maintenance and supply history
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .35", 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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