Did Booth have another pistol?

[Wesley Harris]

(07-29-2012 11:54 AM)L Verge Wrote:  I know absolutely nothing about firearms, but if Booth had carried a second Deringer, could he have loaded it before going into the presidential box like I assume he did with the one in his hand? I guess what I'm asking is if it would have been safe to carry the pistol with lead ball and gunpowder already in it in a pocket or such?

Hi Laurie! Yes, it would be safe to have a pistol in his pocket. The hammer on the pistol has to drop on the percussion cap to discharge the pistol. As long as it's not carried cocked, the hammer can't drop to explode the cap.