FMFM 1-3B

[Defender3]

I stumbled across an interesting find. I have an original small format FMFM 1-3B, dated 5 August 1969. I had thought that was the first iteration of the manual, and it appears it's the first official publication date, but I found a large format, bound copy of FMFM 1-3B. As it was a photocopy, I thought someone may have simply taken the small format copy and enlarged it. However, when I looked at the title page, it was labeled as a Draft and the binding had a date of October, 1967, almost two years prior to final publication. Anyways, I thought it was interesting and bought it. Here are a few pictures.

 

[Random Guy]

That's neat. USMC history, would look great displayed with an M40 replica. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Defender3]

Like this?

 

[kraigWY]

I love old military firearms manuals. Sometimes you can find some real treasures inside the books. A few years ago I bought, (from Amazon I believe) a SMALL ARMS FIRING MANUEL - 1913, in excellent shape. I believe it was a pocket manual issued to the troops. Its about 4 X 6 inches, 249 pages. With fold outs of tables and diagrams.

This book was a great find, but to add gravy, inside the book was a hand written letter from the sister of the soldier who carried the book to her son who was just joining the army.

The letter was about the history of the soldier who carried the manual. Telling of his adventures in the Yukon Gold Rush, baking and furnishing bread to victims of the San Francisco Earth quake. His service during the Spanish American War, being commissioned to serve in WWI, where he was wounded and disabled.

Another find was a book I found at a garage sale in Indiana. Though not a military manual is related.

THE WHY, WHEN AND WHERE OF THE EUROPEON CONFLICT- 1919, a history of the US evolvement. Paid $7 for the book. I was a few months later when I really started going through the book and found, smashed between its pages a dried orginal poppy from Flanders Field.

Why family members let this stuff go is beyond me, but they do and I take advantage of their loss.

 

[Lowlight]

Is there a qualification course listed in the back, if it has what they proposed as a 1969 Qual that would be funny to see

I have the 1980s version and my original material from SS but how the manuals change is the most interesting part.

Post the qual page if it's included

 

[Greg Langelius *]

THX, just bought the FMFM 1-3b Kindle version for the archive.

Greg

 

[Defender3]

Is there a qualification course listed in the back, if it has what they proposed as a 1969 Qual that would be funny to see

I have the 1980s version and my original material from SS but how the manuals change is the most interesting part.

Post the qual page if it's included

It does have the Sniper Qualification Course as Appendix C. The 1969 version's Appendix C appears to be the same as this 1967 draft, although it's laid out a bit differently.

This drop box link is to a scanned copy of the 1969 version of FMFM 1-3B for reference.

Second link to a later FMFRP 0-11A M40A1 Sniper Rifle.

Third link to TM00539-13, Operations and Maintenance, Rifle, Sniper, M40A1 and Related Optical Equipment.

Fourth link to Organizational and Intermediate Maintenance Manual With Repair Parts List for the M40A3 and M40A5.

Pictures from the 1967 draft of Appendix C:

Another gratuitous picture, my M40A1 clone with current production McMillan smear on the line at Quantico:

 

[Defender3]

Seller told me he obtained the manual from a former Marine CWO4 who has since passed, no other info available.

 

[Tim D.]

I have a original copy of the entire manual that my father gave me. He was a sniper in Vietnam in 1968-69. It is FMFM 1-3B "PROPOSED" FIRST DRAFT, dated Feb 1968.

 

[Defender3]

I have a original copy of the entire manual that my father gave me. He was a sniper in Vietnam in 1968-69. It is FMFM 1-3B "PROPOSED" FIRST DRAFT, dated Feb 1968.

I appreciate you posting, that's another piece of the puzzle and a nice addition.