(06-06-2013 01:26 PM)NJREB1863 Wrote:  

(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.

(05-30-2013 06:25 AM)J. Beckert Wrote:  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.