"This manual is published for the information and guidance of personnel to whom the matériel is issued. It contains information on the operation and organizational maintenance of the matériel, ammunition, and associated on-carriage equipment."--Page 1.

"15 September 1952"--Page ii. "This first edition manual is published in advance of complete technical review."--Page 1.

Introduction --General -- Description and data -- Operating instructions -- Service upon receipt of matériel -- Controls and instruments -- Operation under usual conditions -- Operation under unusual conditions -- Organizational maintenance instructions -- Parts, special tools, and equipment for operation and organizational maintenance -- Lubrication and painting -- Preventive maintenance services -- Trouble shooting -- Tube and breech ring -- Breechblock -- Breechblock operating mechanism -- Firing lock T8 -- Primary recoil mechanism T80 -- Secondary recoil mechanism -- Equilibrator mechanism -- Elevating brake -- Miscellaneous maintenance -- Maintenance under unusual conditions -- Sighting and fire control instruments -- Ammunition -- Shipment and limited storage and destruction of matériel to prevent enemy use -- Shipment and limited storage -- Destruction of matériel to prevent enemy use -- Appendix References.