Shields For Infantry.

New York Times 100 years ago today, November 16, 1912:
New German invention Said to be Proof Against Rifle Shots.
    BERLIN, Nov. 15.— A light metal shield, described as capable of rendering infantry practically invulnerable against rifle bullets, is said to have been invented by a German engineer named Schaumann.
    Volleys fired at a distance of eighty-five yards by the men of a guards regiment in the course of experiments on the Dahlem Rifle Range only slightly dented one of the newly invented plates, which was equivalent in weight to a plate of nickel steel of six millimeters thickness, or just under a quarter of an inch. On the other hand, bullets fired by the same men from a similar distance at a plate of nickel steel seven millimeters thick, or over a quarter of an inch, smoothly penetrated the metal.
    The composition plate, which, according to Die Post, has proved far superior to nickel steel, is much less costly than that metal, while its weight is less than one-third.
    The, Prussian War Minister is taking a lively interest in the invention, but it is said that the United States, Russia and Austria were represented at the experiments and are making active efforts to obtain the invention.