Description
U.S. Military Technical Manual TM 9-1305-200, Small-Arms Ammunition, June 1961
Item Overview
Explore early Cold War ammunition with TM 9-1305-200, Small-Arms Ammunition. This military reference covers cartridge identification, characteristics, and care across several weapon families. This listing is for the technical manual only. Ammunition, firearms, and accessories are not included.
Publication Details
Issued jointly by the Army and Air Force, this publication also carries Air Force Technical Order number TO 11A13-1-101.
- Army manual number: TM 9-1305-200
- Official title: Small-Arms Ammunition
- Publication date: June 14, 1961
- Publication type: Technical reference and ammunition-care manual
- Country of origin: United States
Manual Coverage
The manual combines illustrations and reference tables with information on ammunition condition, packaging, and accessories.
- Cartridge markings and identification
- Ball, tracer, armor-piercing, blank, dummy, and other ammunition types
- Cartridge components, clips, belts, and links
- Care, handling, packing, and shipping
- Surveillance, meaning checks of ammunition condition
- Historical guidance on destruction to prevent enemy use
Ammunition Types Covered
Coverage includes both standard service cartridges and several specialized or miscellaneous types.
- .22-caliber ammunition
- .30 Carbine and .30-caliber rifle and machine-gun ammunition
- 7.62mm NATO ammunition
- .45- and .50-caliber ammunition
- Shotgun shells and rifle-grenade launching cartridges
- .32-caliber, 9mm, and .38-caliber ammunition
Publication History
This edition replaced TM 9-1990, dated September 15, 1947, and its changes. Its expanded coverage included 7.62mm NATO ammunition, recording an important shift in U.S. military supply. The June 1961 publication date places it during the transition from many World War II-era weapons to newer Cold War designs.
Weapon-System History
The ammunition families in this manual connect several generations of American service weapons. The M1 Garand used .30-06 ammunition, while the M1 Carbine used a separate .30 Carbine cartridge. Both weapons became familiar during World War II and the Korean War. During the Cold War, the M14 rifle and M60 machine gun brought 7.62mm NATO ammunition into wider U.S. service. These newer weapons later served in Vietnam, giving this manual a connection to the changing equipment of that period.
History of Use
References like this supported ammunition training, inspection, and supply work. Clear identification helped personnel distinguish service rounds from training types, while condition checks and packaging guidance supported reliable stocks in storage and transport. Together, these subjects document the work needed to keep ammunition organized and ready for military use.
Collector and Research Value
This manual offers a period reference for interpreting cartridge markings, ammunition displays, and military supply records. Its broad coverage makes it useful when comparing older U.S. cartridges with the NATO ammunition introduced during the Cold War. Illustrations and reference tables also help researchers connect period terminology with items found in collections.
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.
Ideal For
This manual is well suited for collections, research projects, and exhibits covering military small-arms ammunition.
- U.S. Army and Air Force technical-manual collections
- Small-arms ammunition history research
- Military cartridge identification references
- Museum exhibits and military supply displays
- Cold War and early Vietnam-era collections
- Archival libraries studying military training and logistics
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .2", Approx weight .5lbs.
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