Ordnance Maintenance: 105-mm Howitzers M2 and M2A1; Carriages M2A1 and M2A2; and Combat Vehicle Mounts M3 and M4 - TM 9-1325 War Department Technical Manual

a. This manual is -published for the information aftd guidance of ordnance maintenance personnel. It contains detailed instructions for inspection, disassembly, assembly, maintenance, and repair of the 105mm Howitzers M2 and M2A1, Recoil Mechanism M2A1, and 105-mm Howitzer Carriages M2A1 and M2A2, supplementary to instructions in TM 9-325. This manual does not contain information on op eration, adjustment, and maintenance normally performed by the using arm, since such information is available to ordnance maintenance personnel in TM 9-325. a. Howitzer, The 105-mm Howitzer M2A1 may be employed for direct or indirect fire. It may be used with effect against nearly all types of targets. The howitzer uses semifixed ammunition of several classifications: H.E.; H.E., A.T.; Smoke, B.E.; H-Gas; and Smoke (bursting charge). The weight of the high-explosive projectile is 33 jounds, and the maximum range with the high-explosive ammunition is 12,205 yards. b. Carriage. The 105-mm Howitzer Carriages M2A1 and M2A2, are field carriages of the single-axle, split-trail type. In addition to having all the features of a howitzer carriage, the carriages are used for low angle (long range) firing. The carriages may be towed at sp eeds up to 35 miles per hour. They may be maneuvered rapidly in and out of firing jxisition. An equalizing mechanism facilitates firing from uneven terrain. c. In direct laying, a one-man, one-sight system may be used, wherein the gunner lays the piece both for direction and elevation, using the panoramic telescope located on the left side of the carriage. When a more rapid rate of fire is desired, the two-man, two-sight system is used. In this case, the gunner lays for direction only, and the number 1 cannoneer lays for elevation, employing the elbow telescope attached to the right side of the carriage. Figure 5 — 105-mm Howitzer M2A1 and Carriage M2A2 — Rear View Figure 9 — Howitzer Installed in Motor Carriage M7 — Rear View Figure 10 — Howitzer Installed in Motor Carriage M7B1 — Rear View a. Howitzerf. The only difference between the Howitzer M2A1 and the Howitzer M2 is that the M2A1 model has two bearing strips on the bottom of the breech ring which are not present on the M2 model. b. Recoil Meelianisnig. The chief difference between Recoil Mechanism M2A1 and Recoil Mechanism M2 is the respirator provided at the rear end of the M2A1 Recoil Cylinder. The M2 model is being changed to M2A1 by MWO CRD C21-W10 or (FSMWO C2 1-WlO). The Recoil Mechanism M2 is not covered in this manual. (1) The Carriage M2A2 differs from the other models mofet notably in having two shields, a main shield and an auxiliary shield (figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). New M2A2 Carriages have the screw-type traversing mechanism. However, M2A2 Carriages which have been modified from M2A1 or M2 Carriages have a worm and rack traversing mechanism. Hand parking brakes, only, are provided. New hand parking brakes are equipped with clasp-type brake levers. (2) The Carriage M2A1 has the old type of shield and a worm and rack traversing mechanism (fig. 6). Hand parking brakes, only, are provided. (3) M2 Carriages have electric brakes, operated from the prime mover, as well as hand parking brakes. M2 Carriages are being converted to M2A1 Carriages by the removal of the electric brakes. This modification is being made by MWO ORD C21-W9. The M2 Carriage is not described in this manual. d. Mounts. The 105-mm Howitzer Mount M3 (fig. 7), together with Howitzer M2A1, is mounted in the Motor Carriage T.19.

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