Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-12
NO BANG. FROM SHOTS
Hiram Maxim Exhibits His
NoiseIess Rifle.
FIRED IN ROOM, NO JAR
Only Click Heard, Yet Bullet Pierces
Book.
THE MILITARY TEST COMING
Weapon May, Be Put Through It's
PAGES by Army Men at
Sandy Hook.
THE MILITARY TEST COMING

NEW YORK. June 12.-Hiram Percy
Maxim. inventor of the noiseless gun
which inventors and military experts
have been trying for years to produce.
gave demonstration of its powers yes
terday afternoon in the meeting room of
the board of managers Of the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The members of the board and Henry
Bergh. secretary and treasurer of the So
ciety. were present.
1t was in connection with the offering of
prize by Mr.. Bergh several months ago
for an invention to supersede the present
method Of Strengthening cattle which led
to Mr.. Maxim's appearance in the So
ciety's building yesterday with his noise
less gun. Mr.. Maxim suggested his gun
as a substitute for the AK now used in
slaughtering houses. asserting that it was
the quickest and most humane means of
dealing death.
The Maxim weapon appeared to those
who attended the demonstration to be
an ordinary Winchester rife Of 80 cal
iber. When he took it out of its case
one of the managers suggested that as
several AUTOMOBILES were handy they
could run out into the country and let
Mr.. Maxim show what it could do. There
We're several skeptics in the party.
There is no need of going into the
country" said the inventor. "I'll show
YOU what the gun can do right in this
ROOM
Did Not Hear Shot.
This announcement raised number Of
protests. which Maxim finally overcame
He put two city direct cries together
against the wall, levelled the weapon
at the center Of the onter one and pull
ed the trigger There was slight
click; that was all. Maxim dropped the
weapon at his side and turned to the
spectators smiling
WELL" said one of the skeptics what
happened? Why didn't your gun go OFF,
''Oh, it went off all right answered
the inventor. Just take look at that
outside directory"
The skeptic picked it up and found
that it had been penetrated about six
inches by soft-nosed bullet.
You win, Maxim" he said.
Mr.. Maxim Is guest at the Engineers
Club. and when he was seen there last
night he said it was true that he had
given a demonstration at the Society for
the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals
during the afternoon. He declined. how
ever. to show the rifle that he had used.
II should like to let you see it, said
the inventor, but the patents have not
yet been perfected, and in justice to my
self L must maintain secrecy until they
are. I have been working on this gun
for about two years and a half. 1 have
one under construction for the govern
ment. and in a month or two a public
demonstration will be given either at
Sandy Hook Or Springfield. Mass.
II got my idea for the gun from the
muff1er used on automobile engine ex-
hausts I figured that If the noise OF
the explosion of gas from auto engines
could be controlled the noise of the ex-
plosion Of powder gas in a gun could be
suppressed. That is what 1 have done.
Instead of the gas from the powder
escaping all at once it leaves the barrel
by degrees. Yes l suppose you might
say that l have put muffier in the bar
rel There Is continuance there to
carry off the gas slowly