Derringer

[AussieMick]

(07-29-2018 05:13 PM)Wesley Harris Wrote:  

(07-29-2018 03:05 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(07-29-2018 10:54 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  And as I’ve mentioned elsewhere on the Forum- there was a second derringer found at scene. Roger can you find that entry?

Bill, you mentioned this topic here.

I am certainly no expert on the question of a second derringer at Ford's. From my reading I agree with Dave Taylor. Please see Dave's post here.

Kees also mentioned a second derringer here, but I do not recall reading about Gifford finding this (although I do see logic in agreeing with those who feel Booth may have gone to Ford's with a second derringer).

Possibly someone with more knowledge than me can comment on the veracity of Gifford's story. Bill, I do not have the Civil War Times Illustrated issue that you cited.

I covered at least five accounts of other Deringers found at Ford's Theatre at a Surratt Society Lincoln Assassination Conference a few years ago. Supposedly one was found in a fire bucket, one back stage, one out back, etc, etc. Obviously these are bogus, someone trying to make a buck off a similar weapon. The Gifford story is a bit more plausible but still doubtful. It is engraved "J. Wilkes Booth," is a different caliber and size, certainly not one of a pair. Instead of adding credibility to the pistol, the engraving--in my mind--is more likely to make its authenticity suspect. Ripley's Believe It or Not now owns it.

I know processes were different in those days and I 'm well aware that Australia (for example) would certainly not have had a very "forensic" inquiry or effective in 1865 in the same circumstances.
But it is strange we know so little about where Booth obtained the derringer. I guess my interest had been influenced by the conspiracy posts that I read on this forum.

Of course he could have had it for several years and that would make it near impossible to learn from where he got it.

On a side note I was fascinated to read (somewhere) that derringer-owners would often need to make their 'bullet' using a lead smelting tool. That bemused me because I couldnt imagine delicate ladies making their own bullets.