The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-26
Gases Escape With Hiss
ing Sound Through
Holes in Piston
Near Muzzle.
New Weapon viii Rev
Olutionize Warfare and
Make Criminals Still
More Dangerous.

NEW YORK. Feb. 28.-Hiram Percy
Maxim. sou OF Sir Hiram Maxim, who
invented the machine gun which bears
his name. has been granted a patent for
a silent hrsarm, and this new weapon.
I'm the eyes of experts, threatens to revo-
lutionize the world Of arms.
BY the device of the younger inven-
tor, now formally announced as fully
perfected. the discharge Of a rifle or re-
vClver is rendered practically nOiseless.
This possibility, combined with the use
of smokeless powder, introduces a new
factor upon the stage Of warfare. The
silent nrearm." 80 military experts as
sert. may lead to entire re-equipment
OF 5ae armies OF the world.
In the hands OF the sportsman too,
the uoiseless weapon offers possibilities
hitherto unknown. on the other hand.
II within reach Of the criminal classes
f. presents a new and difficult problem
with which the authorities of the world
may have 10 cope Thus the name Of
Maxim again threatens 10 work another
sweeping revolution in the world OF FIRE
arms.
Attributed to Automobile.
Strange indeed, IS 1t thGt the modern
automobile should have been factor IN
contributing this new weapon to the
world. Yet AIr. Maxim. who resides at
Hartford, Conn. asserts that the silent
frearm" really was an accident, result
Ing from his long and careful study OF
the problem OF silencing the constant
explosions incident to the running Of an
automobile engine, for the principle In
volved in the new weapon Is similar 70
that made use OF IN the automobile
muHler, the report due TO sudden rel-ase
of gases at the muzzIe Of a hrearm yynen
the discharge occurs being prevented
through the action OF a valve which
allows the Eas TO escape gradually and
with but a slight Kissing sound.
BY this GeviCe. which does not alter
the appearance Of any weapon except for
a small crosspiece ia the barrel a short
dtstGnce from the muzzle, the escape
OF the gases following discharge OF the
explosive Is shut OF as the bullet
cmerges from the muzzle- This result IL
obtained by means OF piston valve slid
ing across the bore Of the barrel I'm
--ediately after the bullet passes. This
valve is actuated entirely by the pres
sure Of :he gases themselves and IS not
operated by any intricate mechanical
devicf-
How Gases Escape.
Preventing the gases from escaping
suddenly and provoking a consequent
loud report. this valve allows them TO
issue gradually through a series Of small
holes. thus obviating all noise except a
slight kissing sound. The valve then re-
sumes an open position and a "a fetv
device prevents the firing OF another
cartridge unless the valve is I'm its nrop-
er place. Further. ammunition OF vari-
ous kinds may be used, ranging from
leaden bullets ana ordinary gunpowder
10 forged steel projectiles impelled by
smokeless powder.
Military experts, aDprfsed OF the new,
invention. assert that 1t holds the mower
10 force revolution Of modern methods
OF warfare BY use OF this noisalass
weapon skiTmishers could work along
an enemy iront and shoot down pick
cts without their presence being noted
except upon discovery Of the slain
Sharpshooters would be enabled TO pick
on lhelr victims without reports of
weapons betraying their positions
The extended front Of an entire army
| c2feTuiiy masked by underbrush or nat
Jr2l formations, might even operate
position could be accurately defined nv
an opposing force. Therefore. the fOrCe
equipped with this weapon would boId
an initial advantage overwhelming in
its possibilities.
Turn Sport Into Murder.
IN the world of sport # is held bv the
inventor that the new weapon would
render it possible for man, properlv
concealed, to kill at his leisure probably
every deer iE a surprised herd as no
alarm would be sounded. From his
cover on shore a man armed with this
uOfseIess gun might pick OF every bird
in a flock WITHOUT alarming the lessen
ing number 70 flight.
Because of its dreadful possibilities in
the world OF crime many police officials
already have insisted that the rnanufac-
ture and disposal OF the new device
should be safeguarded By law. Armed
with such weapon a policeman might
be enabled TO disable every member Of
& band or laWDreakers should he sur
prise them at their work.
Dangerous in Criminal Hands.
on the other hand. It would be equally
dangerous in the possession of a des-
peTate criminal. The assassin. b,, it,
use, would be enabled to pick of his
victim and find opportunity Of escaping
from the hiding place In which he bafl
lain concealed without attracting s,,s-
picion.
81 realize TO the full the dangerous
character of the device" said Mr.
Maxim in discussing the new invention
"3nd / must plead that its discovery
was practically an accident. had been
carefully studying the problem OF
silencing the explosions in an automo-
Lille engine when the idea Of the silent
firearm occurred To me. In entering
upon the perfection of the automobiIe
engine mufiier il struck me that the
same principle could be applied to ,
gun. ! ss.w readily how to accomplish.
this latter result in theory.
The realization wac u'@~elv = mat
ter ef detG'A =