The Booth Deringer pistol

[loetar44]

(12-19-2016 09:12 AM)STS Lincolnite Wrote:  I have never read any account stating a derringer was found on Booth after he was killed. The various trial transcript accounts, though they do vary to some degree, do not to my recollection ever record a derringer as being in Booth's possession at Garrett's farm.

While derringers may have been sold in pairs from a "dealer" in the 1860s there doesn't seem to be any evidence that clearly shows that is where Booth obtained the derringer he used to shoot Lincoln. He could have borrowed it or it could have been given to him by a friend. He could also have bought if from a pawn shop, a random acquaintance, or anyone off the street for that matter. While there likely was a twin derringer, that doesn't mean Booth purchased them together or even ever had the other in his possession.

I am curious about the derringer that Gifford had. Is it possible that was a "stage gun" that Booth might have used in one performance or another? That may explain how it came into Gifford's possession.

After some Googling I found at the "Believe it or Not" website at
http://www.ripleys.com/weird-news/booth-derringer/

again the info that a Deringer was found on Booth after he was shot at Garrett's.

The article "Fireball Run & John Wilkes Booth’s Derringer" says: "After a massive manhunt, Booth was gunned down in a farmhouse in Virginia. On his body was a second identical matching derringer, etc."

Don't know how "historical reliable" this site is, or if it is (with respect) a "fun site". Anyway, the video and photo's of the Deringer which Gifford found are in my opinion very nice!