Description
This Technical Manual TM 9-297 covers the 3.5-Inch Rocket Launchers M20 and M20B1 and is dated August 1950. The manual title page identifies it as a Department of the Army Technical Manual for the 3.5-Inch Rocket Launchers M20 and M20B1, issued by the Department of the Army in August 1950. It also notes that this edition superseded TM 9-297 dated December 16, 1948, making it an important updated Korean War-era reference for collectors and researchers.
For collectors of U.S. military technical manuals, Korean War ordnance references, rocket launcher documentation, and dated government publications, this is a strong period piece tied to one of the most recognizable post-World War II infantry support weapons: the 3.5-inch M20 “Super Bazooka” family. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum describes the 3.5-inch rocket, also called the Super Bazooka or M20, as a U.S. Army-developed improvement over the earlier 2.36-inch World War II bazooka, and notes its connection to Korean War-era allied use.
The M20 and M20B1 3.5-Inch Rocket Launchers
The M20 and M20B1 3.5-inch rocket launchers belong to the broader family of U.S. military antitank rocket launcher equipment. As identified by the manual, these launchers were two-piece, smooth-bore, open-tube weapons in the 3.5-inch class, with the manual documenting the equipment, parts, support references, and model differences in official Army technical format.
The M20B1 is especially interesting from a collector and historical standpoint because the manual describes differences between the M20 and M20B1, including construction changes involving cast aluminum components and other design differences intended to reduce weight.
For collectors, that gives this manual added appeal. It documents both the standard M20 and the modified M20B1, preserving official Army reference material for a significant Korean War-era rocket launcher system rather than a general small-arms or maintenance subject.
What This Manual Covers
As a technical manual for the 3.5-Inch Rocket Launchers M20 and M20B1, TM 9-297 served as an official Army reference for the equipment and its support context. The table of contents shows major sections covering introduction, description and data, launcher controls and sighting equipment, maintenance instructions, lubrication, preventive maintenance service, troubleshooting, major assemblies, auxiliary equipment, ammunition reference, maintenance equipment, shipment and limited storage, and appendix references.
In practical collecting and historical-reference terms, a manual like this is especially relevant for:
- nomenclature and identification reference
- Korean War rocket launcher documentation
- U.S. Army ordnance reference collections
- M20 and M20B1 model-difference research
- maintenance and support-history context
- sighting equipment and auxiliary equipment reference
- archival and museum documentation
- historical reference for U.S. bazooka and Super Bazooka collections
That makes it useful not only as a collectible, but also as a practical historical reference for anyone studying how the U.S. Army documented 3.5-inch rocket launcher equipment at the beginning of the Korean War period.
Historical Significance
The date August 1950 places this publication at the beginning of the Korean War era, when the U.S. military was updating and issuing technical literature for equipment needed in active service. The manual’s publication page states that TM 9-297 was published in Washington, D.C. on August 10, 1950, for Army-wide information and guidance.
This edition is also significant because it replaced the earlier December 16, 1948 version of TM 9-297. The scope page explains that the August 1950 manual added information for the M20B1, reflected modifications to the M20 launcher, and revised information connected to the electrical firing mechanism and sighting references.
For collectors and historians, this manual is especially relevant to subjects such as:
- Korean War U.S. Army technical manuals
- M20 Super Bazooka documentation
- M20B1 3.5-inch rocket launcher references
- U.S. Army Ordnance Department publications
- post-World War II antitank equipment
- infantry support weapon technical manuals
Because it covers the M20 and M20B1 3.5-inch rocket launchers rather than a more common rifle, vehicle, or general maintenance subject, this manual adds strong historical depth to collections centered on Korean War ordnance, U.S. infantry weapons, rocket launcher equipment, and official military technical publications.
About This Manual
This listing is for Technical Manual TM 9-297 for M20 and M20B1 3.5-Inch Rocket Launchers, dated August 1950.
It is especially well suited for:
- Korean War U.S. Army technical manual collections
- M20 and M20B1 Super Bazooka reference collections
- U.S. Army Ordnance Department publication displays
- antitank rocket launcher research collections
- museum exhibits on Korean War infantry support weapons
- archival collections focused on dated government publications
- researchers studying U.S. 3.5-inch rocket launcher history
This listing is for the manual only unless otherwise stated. No rocket launcher, rockets, ammunition, parts, tools, sling, sighting equipment, storage equipment, or additional accessories are included unless specifically shown or noted.
Why This Manual Matters
Many military manuals focus on rifles, pistols, vehicles, artillery, communications gear, or general shop equipment. This one documents a more specialized and historically important subject: the M20 and M20B1 3.5-inch rocket launcher system.
For collectors, it is a strong stand-alone Korean War-era technical manual with a focused ordnance subject. For researchers, it offers a useful reference point for how the Army updated its technical publications after the earlier 1948 edition. For museums, it helps support displays that explain not only the launchers themselves, but also the official publication system, maintenance references, auxiliary equipment, and support documentation behind their military service.
Because manuals were working documents, surviving examples are valued not only for their content, but also for their connection to real military documentation, training reference, maintenance support, and ordnance administration.
Ideal For
This manual is a strong fit for:
- Korean War U.S. Army technical manual collections
- M20 and M20B1 rocket launcher reference collections
- Super Bazooka-related displays and research collections
- U.S. Army Ordnance Department publication collections
- post-World War II and early Cold War military paper collections
- museum and archival reference libraries
- ordnance historians and Korean War researchers
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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