Corrected entry: In the beginning of the movie, Holmes is shown trying to create a silencer for a revolver. Due to the way revolvers are constructed, it is impossible to make a silencer for one, with the exception of the M1895 Nagant. Someone that knows enough about physics to attempt to create a silencer would have known this.
BocaDavie
31st Dec 2009
Correction: Impossible to completely "silence" the noise made by the gun, but to dampen it by supressing the noise and flash produced by the bullet exiting the barrel. Holmes would then have to work on creating a noise supression device for the cylinder to complete his invention (if he hadn't already); perhaps something similar to the gas-seal system used in the Nagant M1895.
BocaDavie ★