With the upcoming announcement by John and Barry it is important to realize that there are still many historical relics to be discovered. Some have been taken, given away, lost or misplaced. One such item is the pistol that Charles Guiteau used to assassinate President James Garfield. The ivory handled bull dog pistol was recovered and on display at the Smithsonian during the early part of the 20th century. It has since disappeared.

As is the coverlet under which Lincoln died. It vanished in 1909, after being displayed for the anniversary of his birth. What bothers me about these things is that they may be in the hands of someone who has no idea of their historical significance.
About 30 years ago, a co-worker went to the home of an elderly woman who showed him a horse blanket with blood on it. She stated a relative was part of the recovery/burial detail at the scene of the Battle of The Little Big Horn where Custer and his men perished. She said the blanket was Custer's. When she died about 20 years ago, most of the contents of her home were heaved into a dumpster.

Amazing and sad.

And thrilling...like the discovery of King Richard III's remains (he was killed in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485) under a parking lot in Leichester in August 2012.
(In the "Santa Anna" discussion the question came up whether King Richard III had a small kingdom. At least it was large enough that it took 527 years to find him.)

Eva, didn't he have a relative in the U.S. that supplied a DNA sample to confirm the discovery?

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Quite correct Joe. I bet Boston Corbett's pistol descended into the hands of someone who thought they had a used army pistol or a nice antique.

(05-30-2013 10:08 AM)Rsmyth Wrote:  Eva, didn't he have a relative in the U.S. that supplied a DNA sample to confirm the discovery?

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Quite correct Joe. I bet Boston Corbett's pistol descended into the hands of someone who thought they had a used army pistol or a nice antique.

AFAIK, one descendant of Richard's sister Anne of York whose DNA proved was a Canadian. But there was a second person.

And speaking of pistols, what was the caliber of the weapon used to shoot Theodore Roosevelt? And is that weapon housed somewhere?

It was a .38 but I'm not sure where it's at, if it even still exists.

Best
Rob

You're correct Rob, it was a .38. One would think the weapon would be somewhere.

I believe the bullet damaged speech is on display at his home on Long Island.

The bullet actually lodged into TR's chest. He gave his scheduled speech anyway. He died with the bullet still in him. What other President went to his grave with a bullet in his body?

Andrew Jackson

Bill, you are 100 percent correct. Tough dudes those two: Jackson & T.R.!

(05-30-2013 10:08 AM)Rsmyth Wrote:  Eva, didn't he have a relative in the U.S. that supplied a DNA sample to confirm the discovery?

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Quite correct Joe. I bet Boston Corbett's pistol descended into the hands of someone who thought they had a used army pistol or a nice antique.

I believe the revolver Corbett shot Booth with was later stolen from him. He had refused at least one offer to buy it. I don't know if the s/n is known. It must have been recorded upon initial issue to him. If that s/n is known, there's a slim chance it may identified at some point if it still exists. Right now, it may exist as some ordinary .44 Colt Army on some ones shelf. I don't know if anyone has ever done the research on it to try and track it down. That would be some find.

First, Tony, it's nice to see you posting again!

Second, I think Wes Harris would go to his grave a very happy man if he or anyone could find and verify Corbett's original revolver. Wes has done more research on all of the assassination-related weapons than any person I know. Now, if he could just publish.....(hint).