Description
Item Overview
This U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-2009 covers the M30, formerly designated T104, 4.2-inch mortar and the M24, formerly designated T61, mortar mount. Published in April 1953, it provides a period technical reference for one of the Army’s important heavy infantry-support weapons of the Korean War and early Cold War.
Publication Details
Key information for this military technical manual includes:
- Manual Number: TM 9-2009
- Equipment: M30 4.2-Inch Mortar
- Development Designation: T104
- Mount: M24 4.2-Inch Mortar Mount
- Mount Development Designation: T61
- Publication Date: April 1953
- Service: U.S. Army
- Document Type: Technical manual
Function and Contents
TM 9-2009 provides technical information for understanding and maintaining the M30 mortar and M24 mount. Its subject matter covers the mortar cannon, standard, bridge, rotator, baseplate, controls, and related assemblies. The manual was prepared to help military personnel identify components, understand how the assemblies work together, inspect the equipment, make adjustments, and perform authorized maintenance and repair procedures.
Publication History
An earlier Army manual, TM 9-261A dated May 1951, covered the same M30 (T104) mortar and M24 (T61) mount combination. The April 1953 TM 9-2009 represents the system during its early standardized service life. The same manual number and subject were issued again in April 1958, showing that the Army continued to update technical information for the weapon as it remained in service.
Documented Equipment Application
This manual applies to the ground-mounted M30 4.2-inch mortar used with the M24 mortar mount. The T104 and T61 references record the earlier development designations associated with the standardized M30 and M24 models. Together, the mortar and mount formed a complete heavy-mortar system for delivering high-angle indirect fire in support of infantry units.
M30 Mortar History
The T104 development program produced the weapon standardized as the M30 in 1951. It replaced the older M2 4.2-inch mortar with a stronger and longer-ranged design. The M30 was a rifled, muzzle-loaded weapon with a 4.2-inch, or 106.7mm, bore. Its high-angle fire allowed crews to engage targets behind hills, buildings, fieldworks, and other cover.
M24 Mortar Mount History
The M24 mount, associated with the T61 development designation, supported the M30 cannon and absorbed the forces produced during firing. Its main assemblies included the standard, bridge, rotator, and baseplate. These parts allowed the crew to support, elevate, traverse, and lay the heavy mortar. The later M24A1 continued the same basic arrangement while introducing an updated baseplate design.
4.2-Inch Mortar System Background
The American 4.2-inch mortar family grew from Chemical Warfare Service weapons developed to deliver smoke and chemical agents. During World War II, crews found the M2 mortar highly effective with conventional high-explosive ammunition. The M30 carried this proven concept into the early Cold War with greater range and a heavier mount. In 1952, Army chemical mortar battalions were transferred to the infantry, reflecting the weapon’s established role as a conventional fire-support system.
History of Use
The M30 entered service during the Korean War and was used by heavy mortar companies to support infantry operations across difficult terrain. Crews could fire from prepared ground positions, while later vehicle-mounted arrangements improved mobility. U.S. Army and Marine Corps units continued using the M30 during the Vietnam War, including installations carried by M106-series armored mortar carriers. The system remained in military inventories for decades before newer 120mm mortars assumed its role.
Condition
This listing is for the printed TM 9-2009 technical manual only. The M30 mortar, M24 mount, sighting equipment, ammunition, tools, and other accessories are not included.
Ideal For
This technical manual is well suited to:
- U.S. military technical-manual collectors
- Korean War and Cold War historians
- Mortar and infantry-weapons researchers
- Museum staff and military-vehicle restorers
- M30 mortar display and preservation projects
- Collectors of U.S. Army Ordnance publications
Approx length 6", Approx width 9", Approx height .2", Approx weight .5lbs.
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