Evening star., 1894-04-11
ABLE TO DEFY BULLETS.
The ImpenetrabIe Cloth Invented 10
Mannheim Tailor

Experts In military affairs, not only IN
Berlin, but throughout Europe, are discuss
ing the recent experiments made with the
bullet-proof coat invented by Herr Down.
the Mannheim tailor. There seems to be no
longer any doubt that Doves invention is
most valuable one. and that he was 3usti-
fled in refusing the princely offers made TO
him by firms OF army contractors ana 9TH
ers who are desirous Of purchasing his
rights.
The Russian ambassador, Count Won
Schouvaloff, at the Russian embassy, on
Sunday last. fired two shots at the tailor
while the latter was tncased IN his bullet
proof coat and as DOVE sustained absolute
ly no injury the Russian ambassador pro-
nounced himself satisfied with the expert
menI
The experiments before Count Won Schou-
valon began with a thorough test of the
new rifle In use in the German army From
aox OF cartridges one was selected at ram
dom, and the rife was fired at a block of
SOHO oak, which was pierced by the small
steel-like bullet
After the shot at the block Of oak Dove
dressed himself in his bullet-proof coat and
offered himself as a target While the rtfie
was being aimed at the tailor the specta-
tors were strung to an extreme state OF
nervousness and instinctively closed their
eyes In anticipation OF seeing Dove killed
upon the spot. But after the report OF the
rifle rang ont and the tailor was seen stand
ing apparently unhurt, there was a feeling
or immense relief among all present. Dove
evidenuy noticed the state of excitement
produced by the experiment for he smiled.
much TO the relief of the onlookers, a.
said, 81 feel nothing"
A second shot was then fred directly at
the tailor's heart, but IT had the same effect
as the first; the tailor was absolutely un-
hurt ana both bullets were found imbedded
IN the bullet-proof coat which covered his
breast and body in the manner which IL Is
ad - oa1 g. -
aims and legs. as well as the head. without
protection.
Protection for Cavalry.
Then commenced a series Of experimental
which were even more interesting than the
first A horse was covered with q bullet
proof coat for it is proposed that the cav
airy OF the future is to be protected by the
wonderful material invented by the tailor OF
Mannheim. In this case a number Of shots
were nred In quick succession At the animal
while IL was quietly eating oats from Q
manger The horse, q well-trained cavalry
mount started slightly at the first shot ap-
parcntly, however, only disturbed by the un-
expected report Of the rife. Then other
shots were fired as quickly as possible some
of them striking almost in the same place
as previous bullets. but the horse continued
eating as If nothing extraordinary was hap
pening.
A naval officer who was present st the az
periments asked Herr DOVE II his bullet
proof armor could be applied 70 warshipA
snd he was assured by the inventor that .
ship protected by his bullet-proof material
could stand a pounding from all the war
ships In the world without sustaining any
considerable damage. OF course this is only
Herr Doves theory, but as he seems %
have carried out his theory In regard 20 the
bullet-proof coat for soldiers. it does not
seem unlikely that he may be able TO carry
out his theory In regard to protecting vAR-
ships.
Appearance Of the Cloth.
The new garment Is described as looking
like ordinary army clothing material. the
resisting secret substance being placed be-
meath the outside cloth. The garment is IN
the nature OF breast plate and Is fastened
to the side buttons Of the soldiers uniform.
1t is only TO be used in actual warfare and
weighs about six pounds.
Representatives OF several foreign gov
ernments have been making strong efforts
to obtain Herr Doves secret but IL is said
that these efforts have failed. and patriotic
Germans express the desire that the Ger
man government should secure Herr Doves
secret. SO that the bullet-proof coats may be
used by the German army alone. II is said
that 100000 marks have been offered to
Herr Dove by the German government for
his invention; or. an alternative, a hun
dred years guarantee OF the monopoly Of
supplying the German government with the
necessary number OF cuirasses at the rate
OF II marks apiece