The bullet that killed Lincoln

[PaigeBooth]

(12-12-2014 07:09 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  

(12-12-2014 02:18 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(12-12-2014 10:37 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  It is a .42 calibre handmade lead ball.

Jim, I can't find the current page, but Ford's Theatre used to have a page in which it was claimed the bullet was .44 calibre. Is this incorrect?

Please see the first sentence here. Thanks.

I believe that is incorrect. Not that I, have had an opportunity to measure it, but the .42 would make sense with the wadding.

I have to agree with, Jim. It has been my understanding the bullet was a .42 caliber and the gun was a .44. Page 449 of American Brutus says the following quote:

"The ball was often described as .41 caliber.......It is now too corroded for an accurate measurement, but a recent examination by the FBI laboratory showed it to be consistent with a .41 caliber ball typically used in the .44 caliber weapon."