Out of the many elements that define the 60s spy vibe, the silencer itself is an important addition to spy fashion and an essential extension of the overall sneaky, thrilling action of the stories. The image of Mrs. Peel in the credits of The Avengers and the ritualistic assembling of the U.N.C.L.E. gun in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. are both prime examples of the silencer as stylish symbol. Then of course, there is the sound! That strange, sudden burst of tire-pump squeal, the target slumps, and the assassin slips away undetected. It's pretty morbid actually, but in the fictional world of spy adventure, the silencer remains a cool accessory. Video clips below of those iconic moments, plus a memorable moment in 007 history when Bond shoots Dent in Dr. No. After the villain unloads his gun into a bed fixed up with pillows, Bond fires a number of shots after his famous line, "That's a Smith and Wesson. And you've had your six." (see time 5:30). Did you ever wonder how silencers really work? Here's a brief explanation on the How Stuff Works website.
