THE SILENT RIFLE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11248, 11 April 1908, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE SILENT RIFLE.

NEW YORK, Feb. 1 28, Mr Hiram Percy Maxim states to-day that he has carefully protected the European rights of the noiseless firearm for which he has just been granted a patent at Washington. He and those Army officers who have inspected the new invention anticipate that it will revolutionise the science of warfare and will furnish hunters of big game and other sportsmen with a terribly deadly weapon. Mr Maxim states that his discovery of the silent firearfn was the result of an accident while he was st<udymg\the prottlem of silencing the constant explosions of a motor-engine. The new device can be fitted upon any rifle without altering its appearance save for a. small crosspiece m the barrel a short distance .from the muzzle. j Immediately .after the bullet passes out a piston valve sliding across the bore of the barrel prevents the gases from escaping suddenly and making a lbu'di report. It compels them to Jssue gradually through a. series of small holes, thus eliminating all noise except a slight hissing sound. The valve then resumes its open posi-tion-of safety. The device, moreover, hinders the firing of , another cartridge unless everything is m its proper place. Mr Maxim does not intend-* to engage m manufacturing from his invention himself, but will offer it to the American Army. ■ ■ j