Operation Foxley: Silenced Luger From Abandoned Operation To Kill Hitler Goes On Display.

[big ned]

Here's a short but interesting article in the Express regarding a silenced PO8 that would have been a part of the abandoned Operation Foxley, a mission to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944. It was decided at a late stage that it was better for the allied war effort to let him live rather than kill him and have someone more competent take over the running of the war for Germany.


Gun that almost killed Adolf Hitler in daring plot goes on display | UK | News | Daily Express

Regards, Ned.

[Woolgar]

That silencer looks enormous!

Nick

[Ben Evans]

That would look very nice in my dispaly cabinet with my other lugers

[another ant]

I think in total there were 20 attempts to kill Hitler during his tenure, right?

I really think that there would be another more fitting end ,the they really take place in Berlin.

also they had reason alone Hitler could kill Hitler.

[Scout]

That silencer looks enormous!

Nick

The suppressor is the right size in order to be able to do the job (suppress sound to a degree) with the technology, that they had back then.

In movies, the make-believe 'suppressors' are often tiny (and screw directly INTO the barrel). They often give off only the tiniest of 'PPFFFFFT' sounds, giving generations of movie audiences the impression, that suppressors dampen gun reports far better than they really do.

Keep in mind, that unless the round fired is loaded down (sub sonic), you will still have a substantial report to deal with.

'Silencers' dont silence anything per se. They suppress sound to a degree hence I prefer the other term for the gadgets - suppressor.

How ever in the industry 'silencer' is perfectly acceptable, as both terms are used.

If you want a funky looking handgun, here is a pic of a supposedly early weapon light i.e. a period torch (WWII) attached to a P08.

[Glenn66]

I agree the suppressor looks around the right size from my limited experience with them. A home made suppressor a gunsmith friend once created had about 1/2 dozen baffles inserted into it and the report was like a small twig snapping. No hollywood 'pffft' but certainly not enough noise to gain attention.

[Scout]

You hit the nail on the head; the sound is suppressed to a degree, where the untrained ear wont perceive it as being a gun shot fired thus not creating attention to the fact, that a shot was fired.

This of course only in 'Sneaky Pete' operations as in the OP.

For civilian use, a suppressor is highly useful, as it (in combination with using hearing protection) can bring down the sound of a report to acceptable levels and thus not damage hearing. Suppressors are also desirable in situations, where you dont want to aggrevate neighbours to hunting grounds or shooting ranges.

Moden suppressors can be very efficient at suppressing sound. One of my favourites is the slabsided 'Osprey.'
I got a nice talk with the makers of the Osprey at SHOT. Its not exactly a dainty suppressor either, but it works.

[seandm]

I always cringe when I hear that "pfffft" shot soundtrack in the movie's. From what I know its more like a chunky "thwack" than a "pfffft" lol. Obviously will always differ based on the variation and caliber of the weapon. Great article Ned, Thanks for sharing! Cheers, Sean.

[SteveR]

That silencer looks enormous!

Nick

That is about right for a 9 MM and it would still make noise.

[harryamb2]

load of rubbish.