Description
TM 9-2300-216-34/3 Technical Manual – 175mm M113/M113A1 Cannons, 8-Inch M2A2 Cannon and M158 Mount – October 1971
Item Overview
TM 9-2300-216-34/3 is a U.S. Army technical manual for the 175mm M113 and M113A1 gun cannons, the 8-inch M2A2 howitzer cannon, and the M158 mount. These armament components were used on the M107 self-propelled field artillery gun and original M110 self-propelled howitzer. This October 1971 official reprint is a useful period reference for collectors, artillery researchers, and restoration teams studying the weapons carried by these heavy tracked vehicles.
Publication Details
The manual identifies the cannon and mount assemblies covered by its direct support and general support maintenance guidance. Its publication status distinguishes this copy as an official reprint with updated pages incorporated.
- Manual Number: TM 9-2300-216-34/3
- Publication Type: Direct Support and General Support Maintenance Manual
- Publication Date: October 1971
- Publication Status: Official reprint including the current pages from Change 1
- Issuing Agency: Department of the Army
- 175mm Cannon Coverage: M113 and M113A1 gun cannons
- 8-Inch Cannon Coverage: M2A2 howitzer cannon
- Mount Coverage: M158, with equilibrator and adjusting components
- Related Equipment: Loader and rammer assembly
This October 1971 publication is an official reprint that includes the current pages from Change 1. The Army used numbered changes to revise technical manuals as maintenance information was updated. Incorporating those pages into a reprint brought the basic text and the applicable revisions together in one publication. This status is useful to collectors comparing editions and to researchers tracking the Army's technical guidance during the Vietnam War period.
Function and Contents
This volume serves as a component-maintenance reference for repair personnel supporting the artillery's cannon, mount, and loading equipment. Its subjects include the two 175mm cannon models, the 8-inch cannon, the M158 mount, equilibrator and adjusting components, and the loader and rammer assembly. Together, these assemblies support the weapon, manage recoil, help balance the cannon, and assist with handling heavy projectiles. Direct support and general support guidance addresses work assigned to specialist maintenance units. For today's reader, the volume helps connect individual armament components with their place in the complete artillery system.
Documented Applications
The M113 and M113A1 are 175mm cannon designations associated with the M107 self-propelled field artillery gun. The M2A2 is the 8-inch howitzer cannon fitted to the original M110. The M158 mount supported the cannon and its recoil equipment on this shared artillery platform. The equilibrator and loader/rammer coverage adds context for the assemblies mounted around the weapon. These documented applications make the publication useful when identifying preserved cannon equipment, reviewing restoration references, or matching component names to period military records.
Equipment History
The M107 and M110 became part of the Army's heavy self-propelled artillery fleet in the early 1960s. They shared a tracked vehicle design while carrying different cannon assemblies. Their open rear platforms gave crews access to the breech and loading equipment, and a large rear spade helped brace each vehicle during firing. The M113A1 designation marked a revised member of the 175mm cannon family. Publications such as this volume documented the specialist armament support needed as these vehicles remained in service through the 1960s and 1970s.
Weapon-System Background
The M107's 175mm gun emphasized long-range fire, reaching nearly 33 kilometers, or about 20 miles. The original M110's 8-inch howitzer delivered a heavier projectile and was known for accurate fire at ranges approaching 17 kilometers, or about 10.5 miles. Their common carriage gave the Army two heavy artillery options on a closely related vehicle base. The M158 mount's recoil system allowed the cannon to move under firing forces and return to its forward position. Equilibrators helped balance the weapon, while powered loading equipment reduced the effort needed to handle large projectiles.
History of Use
Both the M107 and original M110 saw combat in Vietnam, providing heavy fire support from artillery positions and firebases. Their continued use depended on repair personnel who serviced cannon assemblies and replaced worn gun tubes. Keeping them in service required replacement components as well as trained gun crews. This manual preserves the technical reference context behind the maintenance aspect of the weapons' service history.
Ideal For
This publication is suited to collections and projects centered on heavy artillery armament, military maintenance, and Vietnam-era equipment. Its focus on cannon and mount assemblies gives it particular value as a companion reference to vehicle manuals.
- Collectors of U.S. Army technical manuals.
- M107 and M110 restoration teams researching period armament components.
- Museums documenting cannon mounts, recoil equipment, and loading assemblies.
- Historians studying Vietnam-era artillery maintenance and repair support.
- Researchers comparing M113/M113A1 cannon and M2A2 howitzer documentation.
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .5", Approx weight 1lbs.
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