TM9-801 July 44... many variations?

[pfarber]

I have noticed that the TM9-801 (the 44 versions) seem to have many different covers:

tm9restriced1.JPG (21.83 KiB) Viewed 27981 times

tm9blank.JPG (16.95 KiB) Viewed 27981 times

What I have noticed is that some original have the 'RESTRICTED' text and others do not. I have not seen a 43 TM9-801 with the 'RESTRICTED' text, but the 44 is have seen both ways

There would be a few places a TM9-801 would be: In the truck itself, support units, and repair facilities, reprints to be kept in supply system.

I am wondering, since the 'RESTRICTED' text is more about 'don't give this to people that shouldn't have it' that a TM9-801 WITHOUT the restriction would be an actual 'ON TRUCK' copy while TM9-801's WITH the restriction would be a support issued or a reprint for supply issue. Hence 'plain cover' versions might by more 'valuable' (ie be directly connected to an issued truck) vs 'restricted covers' being general supply items.

Anyone have any idea???

[pfarber]

Most period manuals appear to have the reprint date and even the place of print on the last page of the index. I do have a few TM9's that simply don't have anything on the last page of teh index, my impression is that they are 'First editions'. They may or may not have made it to a vehicle, but have been used for training/supply/reference. Still looking for a way to figure that out.

Take this TM:

This TM is an Official Wartime published manual by Evans-Winter-Hebb 26May 1944. I will guess that the 60M means 60,000 editions this run. This TM looks like it's a WWII production tomb. Nope! The last page of the Index is the key: US Government Printing Office - 1948!
This TM is what I believe to be a wartime reprint (the spine is to stiff to open, so I had to take a photo) but 9JUL45 13MR 13M = 13 x 1000 R=reprint)
The TM10's have the publication dates on the cover or index page.. it only seems that the TM9s have the printing info on the last page of the Index.

[pfarber]

This is a VERY interesting TM9... its clearly states that it is a reprint:

That makes this a very unusual TM9.. its AFTER the original 44 printing, but BEFORE the major addendum added in the 50's.

The printing date was 1948.

[sinclair]

I ran across an original TM 9-801 dtd Apr 1944. It is very good to excelent condition.
Owner is selling it. A bit much. $ 100.00.
Same as the ones you can down load. Maybe some REALY wants an original for their files.

Jim

[pfarber]

The only TMs you seem to need to be concerned about are 44 and 45 TMs. An earlier TMs (42/43) would be superseded by the later, and not be reprinted. *BUT* 42/43 TMs that were never superseded would still need to have last page checked for the printing date and plant.

IIRC Copyright, at the time, required a publishing date as Copyright ended after 28 years, unless renewed. Due to shit hole corporations like Disney, Copyright is now the Authors DEATH + 70 YEARS. So nothing in your lifetime will ever fall into public domain, unless the author specifically grants that right (and how could you prove that they did???)

ANYWAY, check the last page. So far the most numerous printing sites I have seen:

Raritan Arsenal (1948 and earlier)
US Govt Printing Office (after 1948)

Most ebay sellers seem to be OK with checking that info. But if you want to make sure that you have a Wartime printing... check the last page of the index.

And unless Patton, Ike or Hitler signed it, an excellent condition TM9-801 is worth MAYBE $50-75. If it was a verified wartime printing in unissued (ie never opened) condition, maybe $100. Free TMs are everywhere and contain the same info. Reprints are fair at best.

[pfarber]

Here's a TM 9 off ebay. Seller was good enough to put the printing date up as well:

TM9-801 44 RR Donnelley & Sons.PNG (99.73 KiB) Viewed 27956 times

TM9-801 44 original RR Donnelley & Sons.PNG (91.38 KiB) Viewed 27956 times

Note that this has the 'Restricted' block of text under the title. I am still looking for an image of the tool kit (like I have for the 43 TM) to verify this... but the date of printing puts in the right time period. Just not sure if its an on truck copy or for shop/support use.

[pfarber]

RR Donneley and Sons is still in business:

http://www.rrdonnelley.com/home.aspx

I emailed them about and historical print references... we'll see if they have anything.