TM 31-210 Improvised Munition Handbook
The TM 31-210 Improvised Munitions Handbook is a United States Army technical manual intended for the United States Special Forces describing manufacture of improvised weapons and explosives from readily available materials, from junk piles, common household chemicals and supplies purchased from regular stores. It was first published in 1969 by the Department of the Army.
The Improvised Munitions Handbook is one of the best references on how to manufacture improvised explosive devices, and some of the constructions described have been used against U.S. troops themselves.
Among the weapons described are the hand grenade in a can trap that was used against U.S. troops in Vietnam, and the water in a bucket timer that is used by Afghan guerrillas to launch rockets against U.S. military bases. Also worth noting is the altimeter switch used to ignite a bomb on an aircraft at approximately 5000 ft.
Chapters cover the manufacture of explosives and propellants, mines, grenades, small arms weapons, ammunition, mortars, rockets, incendiary weapons, fuses, detonators.
Popular culture
In the movie Toy Story a document labeled TM 31-210 is clearly visible in Sid's room. Early releases of the movie correctly title the Army manual, in later releases the manual title is "Improvised Interrogation Handbook".