Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1370 for 90mm M1 and M1A1 Guns and M1A1 Anti-Aircraft Mount, May 1950
Item Overview
This May 1950 edition of TM 9-1370 covers the 90mm M1 and M1A1 Guns and the M1A1 Anti-Aircraft Mount. It documents heavy air-defense equipment developed before World War II and supported into the early Cold War. For collectors and historians, the manual connects the guns with the mounting equipment needed to support them in service. This listing is for the technical manual only.
Publication Details
This publication belongs to the Army’s ordnance maintenance manual series. It was intended to support military personnel responsible for servicing the named artillery equipment.
- Manual number: TM 9-1370
- Publication date: May 1950
- Weapons covered: 90mm M1 and M1A1 Guns
- Mount covered: M1A1 Anti-Aircraft Mount
- Publication type: Ordnance maintenance technical manual
- Issuing authority: Department of the Army
- Country: United States
- Language: English
Manual Purpose and Coverage
TM 9-1370 addresses the gun and mount as related parts of a complete artillery installation. Its subject matter supports research into the weapons’ construction, supporting assemblies, and maintenance history. The distinction between gun and mount is useful when comparing equipment markings, identifying surviving components, or studying period photographs. The M1 and M1A1 gun designations identify the weapons, while M1A1 also identifies the separate anti-aircraft mount covered by this publication.
History of the 90mm M1 and M1A1 Guns
The American 90mm anti-aircraft gun program developed during the late 1930s as the Army sought greater capability than its older 3-inch guns offered. The M1 was standardized in 1940, and the improved M1A1 followed. These weapons became major elements of American heavy anti-aircraft defenses during World War II. Their development reflected the growing need to engage aircraft flying faster and at higher altitudes.
About the M1A1 Anti-Aircraft Mount
The M1A1 mount supported the gun and allowed it to turn horizontally and elevate toward airborne targets. Its wheeled transport arrangement made the equipment movable between defensive positions. In service, the mount formed part of a larger system that could include remote gun controls, fire-control directors, and radar. A director calculated aiming information from target data, helping the battery follow a moving aircraft. These separate systems explain why reliable mechanical and electrical equipment was important to heavy anti-aircraft units.
History of Use
During World War II, American 90mm anti-aircraft units served overseas and in defenses protecting important installations. Marine defense battalions also used these guns in the Pacific. After the war, the 90mm family remained in service during the Korean War and supported air defense during the early Cold War. Canada adopted American 90mm guns for protection against possible bomber attacks. Surface-to-air missiles gradually took over the heavy anti-aircraft role as air-defense technology advanced.
Historical Significance of the May 1950 Edition
This edition appeared shortly before the Korean War began in June 1950. Its date places it at a turning point when the Army continued maintaining World War II equipment while preparing for new threats. The manual is a record of that transition, showing the continued importance of established gun systems before guided missiles became central to air defense.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1370 adds a technical perspective to a collection of military histories, photographs, and unit records. Its focus on both the guns and their mount makes it useful for museum documentation, restoration research, and detailed scale-model projects. It also helps researchers follow the period terminology used for American anti-aircraft artillery.
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 suits several collecting, research, and display interests.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- 90mm M1 and M1A1 gun research
- M1A1 anti-aircraft mount identification
- World War II air-defense exhibits
- Korean War and early Cold War studies
- Military museum restoration documentation
- Artillery scale-model reference collections
Approx length 6", Approx width 9", Approx height .75", Approx weight 1.5lbs.
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