Derringer

[L Verge]

(07-29-2018 06:17 PM)AussieMick Wrote:  

(07-29-2018 04:13 PM)Wesley Harris Wrote:  

(07-29-2018 02:05 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(07-29-2018 09:54 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.

I believe I posted years ago that there is a story that Booth rec'd a pair (?) of Deringers from a gentleman who witnessed the actor being threatened by a husband who did not appreciate Booth's attention to his wife.

As for bullet molds, there was one found in Mary Surratt's desk at the boardinghouse during the investigation. Country girls probably were more adept at such things - especially during the Civil War in Southern Maryland where stragglers and Union soldiers plagued farm owners. I don't know what the smelting tool looked like, but the new-fangled cook stoves probably came in handy.