The Booth Deringer pistol

[RJNorton]

(12-28-2016 08:10 AM)Rick Smith Wrote:  You make some very good observations, Joe. I do think he got the two Colt's pistols and the gun belt later {who knows for sure?} but there is no reason that he would not have had a backup on his person that night. As to concealment; no problem with the loose fitting men's clothing of the period.

This makes sense to me, Rick.

Also, after shooting the President, I would think Booth would not have wanted to ride through the streets of Washington and cross the Navy Yard Bridge unarmed. (We also once discussed the possibility Booth picked up weapons at Mary Surratt's boardinghouse - opinion was divided.)

How could he know beforehand that he would be able to talk Silas Cobb into allowing him to cross the bridge?

Does anyone have an opinion on this question - what would have happened had Cobb steadfastly denied Booth the right to cross the bridge? Would Booth have taken out a pistol and shot Cobb on the spot?