GUN REPORT NOISE MAXIM. 197 



Plate 4 (photo A) represents the first picture with silencer on the 

 rifle. The bullet is shown emerging from the muzzle of the silencer, 

 the bow wave of bullet flight noise is shown and there is absolutely 

 no sign of any report noise. Indeed, there seems to be no disturbance 

 created at all except the bow wave from the bullet. 



Plate 5 (photo B) represents the conditions just a bit later. The 

 bow wave and also a stern wave from the bullet is shown, the dis- 

 charge from the silencer, but absolutely no report wave. 



Plate 6 (photo E) represents a still later period, the bow wave 

 being distinctly shown and the wake of the bullet. The stern wave 

 has begun to disappear, for what reason it is not quite plain. 



Plate 7 (photo F) represents a still later time and the wake of 

 the bullet is the principle point of interest. This seems to partake 

 of a spiral motion. The bow wave and the remnants of the stern 

 wave are shoAvn, but no report wave. 



Having now shown the conditions existing at the muzzle of a fire- 

 arm, equipped with a Maxim silencer, and proving as conclusively as 

 seems possible that the noise of the gun is eliminated and that the 

 only noise remaining is the bullet flight, we may ask the practical 

 results. These have been very carefully studied from every imagin- 

 able angle. Field tests, accuracy tests, and tests at night have been 

 conducted officially by war departments with bodies of troops 

 equipped with silencers. Briefly summarized, these amount to the 

 following : 



1. The most important advantage on a shoulder rifle seems to be 

 the diminution of sound on one's own firing line, which permits 

 officers's commands to be heard during periods of the most rapid and 

 concentrated fire. Without the silencer the human voice can not be 

 heard. 



2. The concealment of position of the firing line and the conceal- 

 ment of the number of gims comprising it. This is a natural advan- 

 tage which might be imagined. 



3. Improvement in marksmanship because of reducing the tend- 

 ency to flinch. The elimination of the concussion entirely and the 

 reduction of the recoil by 50 per cent makes the modern military 

 rifle a much more gentle gun, and the rank and file in innumerable 

 military tests always make higher scores than with the bare rifle. 



4. Elimination of muzzle flash at night makes location of the 

 shooter invisible. This is supposed to constitute an important mili- 

 tary advantage. 



The aspects of a quiet shooting firearm in the case of assassins is 



of interest. We have seen that we can not secure quiet shooting 



unless we have bullet velocity below 1,085 feet per second. Except 



in 22-caliber this requires specially loaded cartridges for all calibers. 



73839°— 8M 1916 14 



