British Special Operations Executive (SOE): Tools and Gadgets Gallery
Sten gun with silencer
The silencer for the Sten gun was first developed in 1942, and was put into action in 1943. It meant that the gun could be used without alerting the enemy to small-arms fire in the vicinty. Only someone who was within 200 yards of the firer would be able to recognise the sound as gunfire. Another advantage of the silencer was that it eliminated any muzzle flash. This was important when the SOE team was operating at night.
The sten gun silencer was an ideal weapon for assassination, and it is known that it was used to kill the Norwegian traitor, Ivar Grande, in 1944. It is also thought that these guns were used during Operation Ratweek, when the SOE targeted collaborators in 1943.
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