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iHI3

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mffraAiustMiT
MEMORANDUM REPORT M69-20-1

THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIELD EXPEDIENT METHO

FOR FABRICATION OF SILENCERS FOR
IMPROVISED WEAPONS

'G
0

by

THOMAS J. HENNESSY
JOHN SCHNIEDER
RICHARD J. SEIBEL

fT"-' f

IJU

Protective marking applies to pages 16 to 18.

Li kJi
UXl**
X_HJ ViA^li'

Each transmittal of this document outside the Department of Defense

must have prior approval of the Commanding Officer, Frankford
Arsenal, Philadelphia, Pa.
19137 - ATTN: SMUFA-J8300.
September 1969

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

FRANKFORD ARSENAL
Philadelphia, Pa. 19137
Protective marking is excluded from automatic termination (para
I8e, AR 345-15)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

fcllinii'

--

-..

^^u

ill

DISPOSITION

Destroy this report when it is no longer needed. Do not return

it to the originator.

l^'^.m

f"
' A^iin coots

DISCLAIMER
The findings in this report are not to be construed as an official
Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.

wy~^wi

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

MEMORANDUM RE PAT.,

Mi

-.

A,
) THE DEVELOPMENT OF.III
FIELD HiEXPEDIENT METHODS
**? J.I,,
III
in
^'FOR FABRICATION"OF jSJlfcNCERS FO'
'" IMPROVISED WEAPOtsiS .
Ill

by

< THOMAS J./HENNESSY^

Oj "' ^Jky^CHklEDER '
""'
RiCHA'b J./SEIBEL
///

/i/

in

Each transmittal of this document outside the Department of Defense

must have prior approval of the Commanding Officer, Frankford
Arsenal, Philadelphia, Pa.
19137 - AttnJ SMUFA-J8300.
Protective marking applies to pages 16 to 18.
Ammunition Development & Engineering Laboratories FRANKFORD ARSENAL*
Philadelphia, Pa. 19137

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

rtmo-

mm^mm^^M

mm

mmmmmmmmm

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to develop practical techniques

for the field fabrication of silencers for improvised weapons. Silencers trap propellant gases at the muzzle and release them over
an abnormally lengthly time interval thus eliminating a sharp report. Methods of improvising such a system were investigated.
Five component systems were tested for sound, penetration,
velocity and fabrication feasibility. Results of these tests are presented.

11

liirfMMlMi

i mum rrm***mm

FOREWORD

The work described in this report was performed by the

Frankford Arsenal, U.S. Army Munitions Command under AMCMS
Code 5523. 11. 35402. 01, DA Project Number 1W523801A354. Acknowledgement is made to K^r. Robert Cooper, J8100, for providing valuabe experimental data.

N
in

i i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pag
INTRODUCTION

DISCUSSION.
PROCEDURE
TEST RESULTS
Standard Weapons Study
Diverter Study
Container Study
Packing Material Study
Wad Study
Velocity and Penetration Data
Sound Study Data
Life Study
Round Modifications and Charge Establishment . . .
Smoke and Flash Test

2
2
5
5
7
10
12
13
13
15
15

CONCLUSIONS

16

APPENDIX

24

DISTRIBUTION

List of Tables
Table
3

I.

Standard Weapons Study

II.

Diverter Measurements

. .

III.

Container Measurements

IV.

Packing Material Data

IV

4
6
8

HiMiJ! .iwmpw

Page

Table
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.

Wad Study Data.

Velocity and Penetration Data

10

Sound Study Data

12

Charge Establishment

14

List of Illustrations
F^ ure
4

1.

Diverter Dimensions

2.

Muzzle Wad Placement

3.

Bullet Modification

14

A.1.

Low Signature System . 45 Caliber

19

A.2.

Assembly of the Low Signature System . , .

20

A -3.

Parts of the Low Signature System

21

A -4.

Assembled Weapon Using the Low Signature

System

22

A-5.

Low Signature System 7,62 mm

23

-.^^^^^^M^

mmm

"i

CUD

INTRODUCTION

This study was conducted under the Improvised Munitions

Program. The purpose of the program was to increase the effectiveness of Special Forces and their trained guerrilla or counterguerrilla
troops throughout the world by providing them with instructions on
the fabrication of munitions from commonly available items. The
findings will be incorporated into the Improvised Munitions Handbook.

DISCUSSION

The approach followed in the field fabrication of silencers

assumed the availability of threaded pipe, pipe fittings, cotton,
grenade containers, hand drill, drill bits, and cloth. Efforts were
devoted to developing simple techniques that would safely and reliably
make the signature (noise, flash, and amoke) of these weapons
comparable to that of standard small arms weapons with available
silencers. Initital work consisted of a literature search on silencer patents and similar material.
The literature search* indicated that all silencers seemed to
have common characteristics. In essence, the propellant gases
are diverted, at the muzzle of the weapon, through a porous material and/or a series of baffles. This reduces the signature because the gases are released into the atmosphere gradually rather
than suddenly.

PROCEDURE

The steps taken to develop field fabrication of silencers for

improvised weapons were:
Reference AMCP 706-251, "Muzzle Devices, " May 1968.

^^^mmimmmm

1. Literature Search - Survey patents and liteiature for

methods of reducing weapon signature which may be adaptable to
practical field use.
2. Plans for development of improvised types of silencers
pursued the following course:
a.

Define most appropriate method.

b. Perform field experiments and evaluate results by

comparing with known systems.
c.

Select optimum silencer for each weapon and verify.

TEST RESULTS

Standard Weapons Study

Improvised low signature systems (.22 caliber, 9mm, . 38
caliber and .45 caliber pistols and the 7,62mm rifle) were developed
for improvised weapons and silencers. The required materials
are commonly available, such as a grenade container, standard
pipe and fittings, cotton, and a hand drill and bits. Listed in
Table I are the standard weapons used for comparison to improvised
weapons.

Divert er Study

The silencers developed consisted of several parts; namely,

1. diverter,
2.

container,

3. packing material, and

4. wad.

Bi
^"---""^

"" *"'

CABLE I.

V elocity
fps

Weapon
.45 Caliber pistol
9mm pistol
7. 62mm rifle
. 38 Caliber pistol

Standard Weapons Study

Pes k Sou id
with Readings
no nil ncer (db)

10 meters
w/silencer

Silencer
Type
Bell Lab
(WWII) Mil

830

124

101

1150
2700

140
150
125

114

850

Not availible
Not available

Note: Velocity is measured at muzzle.

A diverter consists of a length of pipe with a series of holes (see

Figure 1). Two pipe couplings, a container, and cotton packing
were used in conjunction with the diverter (see Table II), Design
studies and tests were conducted to find optimum dimensions and
other characteristics for each of the systems in order to determine
the most suitable diverter. Listed below are those found to be
acceptable:
1.
2.

.45 Caliber - Design #4

9mm - Design #4

3.

7,62mm - Design #4*

4.

, 38 Caliber - Design #4*

4.

. 22 Caliber - Design #3

Through continuous testing the 9mm Design #4 was found to be a

suitable combination for the 7. 62mm and the . 38 Caliber low signature systems.

, 3

^mmmim^m

~^

A;
B:
C:
D:
E:

Normal Pipe Diameter

Pipe Length
Center Distance
Hole Diameter
Number of holes per row

13

f~T\
>O09)$OC; QOCOCCOOC
-D

Figure 1.

TABLE II.

Weapon
. 45 Caliber

9mm and
. 38 Caliber

mmM

Divert.er Dimensions

Diverter Measurements

Dim ensions (in.)

D
C
B

Total
Holes
_E_ (4 rows)

Design
No.

1
2
3
4

3/8
3/8
3/8
3/8

24.0
6.0
11.0
6.0

5/8
1/2
5/8
3/8

11/32
21/64
1/4
1/4

15
10
16
12

60
40
64
48

1
2
3
4
5

1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4

6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0

3/8
3/8
3/8
3/8
3/8

1/8
5/32
3/16
1/4
9/32

12
12
12
12
12

48
48
48
48
48

TABLE II.

Cont'd

Dim ension (in.)

D
B
C

Total
Holes
E (4 rows)

Design
No.

7. 62mm

I
2
3
4
5
6

3/8
3/8
3/8
1/4
1/4
3/8

12.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0

1/2
3/8
3/8
3/8
1/4
1/2

1/4
1/4
9/32
1/4
3/16
21/64

16
12
12
12
12
10

64
48
48
48
48
40

. 22 Caliber

1
2
3

1/8*
1/8*
1/8*

6.0
6.0
6.0

1/4
1/4
1/4

3/32
1/8
5/32

16
16
14

64
64
56

Weapon

Extra heavy pipe

Container Study-

In order to fabricate an improvised low signature system, a

suitable container had to be selected. The volume of the container
affects the noise level up to a point. Diameter as well as the length
was considered. The containers found to be most suitable and
available were the 60mm mortar or grenade containers. In this
study various lengths of pipe and containers were used along with
the acceptable diverter to record sound data (see Table III.) Other
containers were tested but they did not perform as well. Twopiece containers are desireable because of easy loading of packing
material.

Packing Material Study

In order to find the optimum single packing material for
improvised use, suitable substitutes such as cotton, fiber glass,
steel wool, and hospital gauze were tested for comparison. For
this experiment, the .45 caliber and the 9mm low signature systems

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were applied (see Table IV). Packing material comparison data

was taken not usirvv, low signature systems. Results of the experiment showed cotton to be the most suitable. Continuous experimenting proved that a rotation of half an inch of the container
after each firing added longer life and durability. The target
used for this experiment consisted of one-inch thick nominal pine,
considered lethal penetration thickness, located 30 meters from
the muzzle of the low signature system.

Wad Study

The bullet outside diameter (O. D.) in all systems was undersized in comparison to the pipe inside diameter (I.D.); therefore,
a muzzle wad (see Figure 2) was employed to trap the escaped
gases which override the bullet while passing through the pipe
(barrel) and low signature system. The . 22 caliber system is
the only exception where a muzzle wad is not applied due to the
tight fit of the lead bullet in the extra heavy pipe. The results of
the study are listed in Table V. The most acceptable wad size
of each caliber was:
1.

1" x 4" wad (9mm)

2.

1, 5" x 6" wad (. 45 Caliber)

3.

1" x 4" wad (7.62mm)

NOTE: Wad used was absorbent cotton.

Muzzle wad is placed in

muzzle end (pipe coupling)
of low signature system

Figure 2.

Muzzle Wad Placement

i^ww

TABLE IV.

Packing Materia 1 Data (Using Impro vised weapon ana i^t>niinr(;

Peak
(10 meiers)

Average
db

Target
Penetration (%)

Design

Packing
Material

. 45 Caliber

Cotton

103
100
105
100

102

100

Tiber glass

114

112

100

no
112
113

Steel wool

110
113
110
114

HI

100

Hospital gauze

HI
113
112
113

112

100

128
127
128

128

100

. 45 Caliber
Improvised
Pistol

No low signature
system

9mm

Cotton

107
106
106
107

106

100

Fiber glass

112
116
117
117

115

100

Steel wool

113
116
113
112

112

100

Hospital gauze

118
117
117
118

117

100

9mm

9mm Improvised
Pistol

No low signature
syrtem

132
134
132

132

100

11
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Velocity and Penetration Da-la

Improvised weapons are far from being long range weapons;
therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to obtain data for
lethality and range {see Table VI). Although there was a slight
decrease in velocity when using silencers on improvised weapons,
all systems did prove to be effective up to 30 meters. Beyond
this point it would be hard to hit a target due to lack of gun sights
and rifling. The target used for this experiment consisted of oneinch thick nominal pine, lethal penetration thickness, located 30
meters from the muzzle of the low signature system. Printed
circuit paper screens were used to record velocity.

TABLE VI.

Diverter

Velocity and Penetration Data

Muzzle Vel
(fps)

Penetration
(%)

Avg Vel
(fps)

.45 Caliber
Design #4/
Cotton

456
480
442
445

100

456

No low
signature
system

480
481
472

100

477

9mm
Design #4/
Cotton

837
839
855
848

100

844

9mm; No low
signature system

837
827
841

100

834

7.62 mm
Design #4/
Cotton
Modified Round

860

100

887

965
828

896

10

'

TABLE VI.

(Cont'd)
Avg Vel
(fps)

M uzzle Vel
(fps)

Penetration

No low
signature system

854
79^
816
882

100

837

. 38 Caliber
9mm Design #4/
Cotton

750
708
691
737

100

721

No low
signature system

741
766
727
764

100

749

. 22 Caliber
(long rifle)
Design #3/
Cotton

1062
1032
1016
1036

100

1036

No low
signature system

1021
1060
1031
1024

100

1034

. 22 Caliber (short)
Design #3/
Cotton

890
900
926
914

100

908

No low
signature system

932
923
954
980

100

947

Diverter

(%)

11

I llll

||'JIM|||MBBIPI

..

LUimop

Sound Study Data

After experimenting with diverters, containers, packing,

and wad tests,suitable complete systems were decided on and then
tested for sound level to determine their effectiveness. * Comparable Data, see Table VII , shows the relationship between all
calibers with and without a low signature system.

TABLE VII.

Sound Study Data

Peakdb at 10 meters
(with system)

Low Signature System

. 45 Caliber Design #4/
Cotton

9mm Design #4/Cotton

Peak db at 10 meters
(without system)

Avg
112

105
111
113
114
114

Avg

109

128
127
128

128

114

132
134
132

132

136

7. 62mm
9mm Design #4/Cotton
Modified Charge

105
103
102

103

135
139
134

. 38 Caliber
9mm Design #4/Cotton

92
93
92

92

112
113
112

112

. 22 Caliber (long rifle)

Design #3/Cotton

76
80
76

77

91
90
92

91

General Radio Impact Noise Level Meter Recorded All Sound Data

12

Life Study
Continuous,experiment with the ,45 caliber, 9mrn. 7.62mm and
the , 38 caliber low signature systems, without repacking the container
naterial and using the rotation system, established a life of 2.5 rounds.
After this, a powder residue formed on the cotton restricting it from
absorbing the spent gases. Due to lead buildup from the . ZZ caliber
round (lead bullet), the .22 caliber low signature system v,as limited to 75 rounds before the velocity dropped. Tests show ;; that
after a maximum number of rounds were fired, projectile failed lo
penetrate one-inch nominal pine target at 30 meters (max. range).
If the improvised barrel was drilled or heated to remove the lead,
it could be reused.

Round Modifications and Charge Establishment

Of all the systems studied the 7. 62mm NATO round was the
only one which required modification. Due to its high velocity and
bullet tumble (due to the bullet length and no rifling), it was necessary to slow down its velocity and reduce the bullet length to permit
the low signature system to operate properly.

Modification
1.

Pull bullet from case

2.

Cut bullet, as shown in Figure 3

3.

Remove half of the propellant from the case and discard

4.

Lightly pack cotton in the case

5.

Replace the bullet.

*A piece of cotton placed around the base of the bullet will make a
better sealed bullet when replacing.
13

Co\

(El\
Figure 3.

t)vSfcA-d

Bullet Modification

After experimenting with various charges (see Table VUI), it

appeared that half of the propellant was sufficient to operate the low
signature system properly and still be lethal at 30 meters.

TABLE VIII.

Charge Establishment

Velocity
(fp8) .

Charge
&*-

Average
Velocity

10 meters
Peak (db)

Average
Peak

Ml

860
965
828
896

887

105
111
105
108

107

1/3

925
954

974

110
111

109

no

1005
1013

108

1/4*

646
777
718

708

108
109
109

109

Standard Round
No low signature
system

854
799
816

823

139
134
135

136

"NOTE: 1/4 Charge produced wad stoppage in low signature system

muzzle. Velocity measured at muzzle

14

UP*

Smoke and Flash Teat

Using a low signature system under concealment, daylight or

nightfall made it necessary to obtain smoke and flash data. Photographs and visual data were taken on the smoke test. No
smoke appeared visually or on film.
According to the pictures
the muzzle wad appeared co pulverize when the projectile passed
through it. The flash test was shot during total darkness, and viewed
through a mirror placed ten feet in front of the muzzle of the low
signature systems. The 9mm system was the only system that
showed any detection and this consisted of merely a few sparks.

CONCLUSIONS

Five individual low signature systems (see Appendix) of moderate

construction can be rapidly manufactured from materials accessible
in most parts of the world. All systems have been tested and found
lethal up to 30 meters. Inclusion material for the Improvised Handbook was derived from this study.

15

.-

"

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

APPENDIX
Section III
No. II
LOW SIGNATURE SYSTEM
Low signature yitema (silencers) (or improvlaed small anna
weapons (Section III) can be made from steel gaa or water pipe and
fittings.
MATERIAL REQUIRED:
Grenade container
Steel pipe nipple, 6 in. (15 cm) long See Table I (or diameter
2 steel pipe couplings - See Table II
(or dimensions
Cotton cloth - See Table II for
dimenaions
Drill
Absorbent cotton
PROCEDURE:
1. Drill hole in grenade container at both ends to fit outside diameter
of pipe nipple. (See Table I.)
2. Drill four (4) rowa of holes in pipe nipple. Use Table I for diameter
and location of holea.

2.75 in._
(Dia.)
D
(Nom. DU.)

(Norn. Dia.)

16

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

t.a^Mfc

MM

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Table I. Low Signature yHtein Uinit-nmoiiL

(Coupling)
0

Holes
per
Row

(4-ROWB)

Total

.45 Cal.

3/8

1/4

3/8

3/8

12

48

.3 Cal.

3/8

1/4

1/4

1/4

12

48

9 mm

3/8

1/4

1/4

1/4

12

48

7.62 mm

J/8

1/4

1/4

1/4

12

48

.22 Cal.

1/4

5/32

1/8

1/8

14

50

Extra Heavy Pipe

AU dimensions in inches

3. Thread one of the pipe couplings on the drilled pipe nipple.

4. Cut coupling length to allow barrel of weapon to thread fully into

low signature system. Barrel should butt against end of the drilled
pipe nipple.

Top Half

Bottom Half

5. Separate the top half of the grenade container from the bottom half.
Grenade Container
Drilled Pipe
Nipple
6. Insert the pipe nipple in the
drilled hole at the base of the bottom half of container. Pack the
absorbent cotton inside the container
and around the pipe nipple.
Coupling

Absorbent
Cotton

17

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

MMMi

mm

in.iMin-jii..ii.MiNiii.ii.Niiippi....|.... i imp ...I

1.11.mini mimmmmmmmmil*

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

T. Psok UM abaorbent oottcn In lop half of grenade container leaving

hol In cantor. Aaaemble container to the bottom halt.

Cotton mied

Cotton .flUed

DriUed Pipe
Nipple

Coupling

Coupling

8. ThreadtlwotlMr coupling onto the pipe nipple.

MOTl; A longar oooUiner and pipe nipple, with aame "A" and "B"
dtaMaaloaa aa those given, will ftirther reduce tte algnature of the

HOW TO BE;
1. Thread the low algnature ayatem on the aeleoted weapon aecurely.
2. Place the proper cotton wad alee into the muzzle end of the ayatem.
Table O. Cotton Wadding - Sisea
Weapon

Cotton Wad Size

.4SCal.

1-1/2 x 6 inchea

.38Cal.

lx4inchea

9mm

1x4 Inchea

7.62 mm

1 x 4 inchea

.22Cal.

Not needed

S. Load Weapon
4. Weapon la now reacfy for uae.

18

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45 CALIBER

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Figure A-2. Assembly of the Low Signature System

20

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21

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Unclassified
Sgcurtty CUi(icUon

DOCUMENT CONTROL DATA -R&D

(Stcurllr clmttlllcmtlon al HI/, body ol mbflrmcl nd Indmxlng minolmllon mul b mnltnd whrnn Iht ovrsll rtpoil It cltttllfd)
I. omamATiNS ^C TiviTV cCoiporal ulfiar;
1: RBKMXXKOtMOCVirXBUtnaHUaXOHC

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FRANKFORD ARSENAL
Philadelphia, Pa.
19137

db. OMOUP

Attn: SMUFA-L3300
I ntfonr

TITL

THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIELD EXPEDIENT METHODS FOR FABRICATION OF

SILENCERS FOR IMPROVISED WEAPONS
4. ocscniPTivc

NOTES

(TVp* o/rpori ami Inclualv dar,)

MemorandiuTi Report
t. AUTHONOI (Plrtl nmm; mltUR Mllml, !( nam)

THOMAS J. HENNESSY
JOHN SCHMIED ER
RICHARD J. SEIBEL
. RCPORT OATC

September 1969
a.ContrcTo'r-Grant No.
AMCMS 5523.11.35402.01

7a. TOTAL NO. OF PACK*

7b. NO. or MCPS

26
a. ORIGINATOR'* RCPORT NUMBCRI*)

FA Rpt M69-20-1

. PKOJtCT NO.

DA Proj 1W523801A364
9b. OTHER RCPORT NO) (Any oUtrnr nuoibara al nay b a*al#>arf
Ihlt rtporl)

io. ouTRiaunoN

STATCMCNT Each transmittai 0f this

document outside the Department of De-

fense must have prior approval of the Commanding Officer, Frankford Arsenal,
Philadelphia, Pa.
19137 - Attn: SMUFA-J8300.
It- UPPLCMCNTARV NOTKS

12. SPONSORINO MILITARY ACTIVITY

U.S. Army Materiel Command

Washington. P.C.
I*. **tT

^
The objective of this study was to develop practical techniques for the field
fabrication of silencers for improvised weapons. Silencers trap propellant gases
at the muzzle and release them over an abnormally lengthly time interval thus
eliminating a sharp report. Methods of improvising such a system were investigate
Five component systems were tested for sound, penetration, velocity and
fabrication feasibility. Results of these tests are presented.

MSPkAC* OO PONM fl, I J*N 4, MICM !

Unclassified
cvrlly Claaalflcallo

iaaaMaB^MHHa

Unclasaifled
8curity CUtnctlii
HCV

mono

silencers
improvised weapons
low signature system

Unclassified
tecurity OastlflcatlM

t. mi !>-- [ r -

r nflllUn