The gun that killed Lincoln

[Dale Lilly]

Security was MUCH more lax, well into the twentieth century. I recall LIncoln had military body guards, oneof which was stabbed by Booth.

I am old enough to remember President Truman taking walks without security; very different times.

 

[TrapperDude]

Even with a shot to the head at point blank range, it took the President 3 agonizing days to die. Not the most effective weapon but it did work.

Even if his death was delayed, he was pretty catastrophically incapacitated, instantly. That sounds pretty effective to me.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

and with a HIGH CAPASIDTY MAGAZINE!!!

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I read an article some time ago about the Lincoln Deringer. There was some question about the authenticity of the pistol on display at that time as the Lincoln Deringer. The article did mention the original may have been stolen. I think the pistol may have been a .41 caliber.

The article might have been in the American Rifleman magazine, but can’t say for certain. Interesting article.

 

[frankie]

At least it's a decent-looking little pistol.
I'm glad the President wasn't killed with some measly little Saturday night special.
Thanks for the photos.

great point I have thought the same

 

[frankie]

Taken by me at Fords Theater in Washington DC
View attachment 148970View attachment 148971

thanks for posting this

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

I always thought it odd that Booth’s spurs are displayed in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum.

 

[morehops52]

I think he died at about 7:21a.m. the following morning.

Perhaps I mis-remembered the documentary(?) from many years ago. The main point was that it was not a quick death even with a shot to the head. Not a huge point so we can move on

 

[user 52391]

I've read that the doctor that treated the already mortally wounded Lincoln, done more damage than the gunshot itself attempting to remove the ball.

 

[Daveboone]

Even with a shot to the head at point blank range, it took the President 3 agonizing days to die. Not the most effective weapon but it did work.

He actually died the following morning just after sun up. Likely regardless, with a head wound such as he suffered, it is doubtful he was aware of anything...including pain.

 

[Rudyard]

I have two of the Revell plastic models of this deringer that were out in the 60's.

Yes the Revel kits all sorts of guns. well pistols I had some. Great for budding gun buffs .Along with small plastic Rifles in Cerial boxes ' Perrin Revolving rifle' 'Sharpes' ect then some other firm did pistols some still about.. I think if they still offrered them Ide buy some they where very well done if the write up was off on the 'Arabian" pistol .
Remenissing Rudyard

 

[Daveboone]

Dad built a Kentucky Rifle kit...life size, with working lock (well, it cocked and released from the trigger...not much spark off the plastic frizzen) which was full size, and quite impressive. I built an 1860 Colt which also had a working trigger and rammer. Great details on those. I dont think those two were from REvell though.

 

[hawkeye2]

Back when John Amber edited "The Gun Digest" there was an article about either the derringer only or guns used to assassinate the Presidents. It would have been in the 50s and included a drawing and/or photo of the Deringer. There were 2 things that still stick in my mind after all these years and they are; 1. the hammer screw was missing or the head had been sheared off, 2. there was a sliver of wood missing on the right side of the barrel between the bolster and the tip of the stock. Here are 3 photos of what is believed to be the actual gun. The plastic Revell Deringer kit from the 1950s was very accurate as were some of their other gun kits. It was rereleased by other manufacturers later and can still be found easily today.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I had a cereal box kit Wyatt Earp Buntline Special. Very cool. I do remember the Deringer kits, just never got one.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I do have an old Avon cologne bottle shaped like a Deringer…

 

[user 48702]

It should be stamped on the barrel, with all of the warnings that it could be dangerous to sitting presidents.

John Wilkes said it was a kit gun, he put it together from a kit he bought from Dixie

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I saw a gun just like the Lincoln Deringer in the case at Gettysburg. Damned cute little shooter.

 

[Trot]

I've read that the doctor that treated the already mortally wounded Lincoln, done more damage than the gunshot itself attempting to remove the ball.

Actually, that was President Garfield, he very may well have lived if they just cleaned the wound and left it alone. Lincoln's wound was fatal no matter what they did, the ball passed completely through his brain. All the doctors really did was remove the blood clot to relieve pressure on the brain.

 

[N.Y. Yankee]

'morning,

I've a repro, and I have to admit that at short range (about 3 yards), it's pretty accurate. Mine's a .41, and if memory serves, that's the same caliber as the original.

Something that always intrigued me is why bother putting sights on it? Rifling, I understand, since they were often supposedly made from rifle barrels, but why sights?

Mike

Often wondered that myself.

More like 10-12 hours.

That's the way I remember it being taught.

 

[springfield art]

I do have an old Avon cologne bottle shaped like a Deringer…

If the deringer don't kill you, the fragrance will!