What Gun Did John Wilkes Booth Use?
John Wilkes Booth, the infamous American actor and Confederate sympathizer, is best known for his role in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. On April 14, 1865, Booth entered Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. and shot Lincoln in the head during a performance of the play "Our American Cousin." But what gun did Booth use to commit this heinous crime?
The Gun Used by Booth
The gun used by Booth was a Deringer pistol, a type of small, single-shot, pocket-sized firearm that was popular in the mid-19th century. The Deringer pistol was a.44 caliber, short-barreled gun that was designed to be compact and easy to conceal. Booth’s Deringer was a Philadelphia-made model, specifically a Gardner Deringer, which was one of the most popular models of the time.
Characteristics of the Deringer Pistol
Here are some key characteristics of the Deringer pistol that were relevant to Booth’s use of the gun:
• Small size: The Deringer was designed to be small and portable, making it easy to conceal in a pocket or under a coat.
• Single-shot: The Deringer was a single-shot gun, meaning it had to be reloaded after each shot.
• .44 caliber: The Deringer was chambered in.44 caliber, which was a relatively large caliber for a pistol at the time.
• Short barrel: The Deringer had a short barrel, typically around 2-3 inches long, which made it easy to handle and conceal.
The Shooting of President Lincoln
On the evening of April 14, 1865, Booth entered Ford’s Theatre and made his way to the presidential box, where Lincoln was seated with his wife Mary. Booth had planned the assassination for weeks, and he was determined to see it through. At around 10:15 p.m., as the play was in progress, Booth entered the box and shot Lincoln in the back of the head with his Deringer pistol. Lincoln slumped forward in his chair, mortally wounded.
The Aftermath of the Assassination
The aftermath of the assassination was chaotic and tragic. Lincoln died the next morning, and Booth was pursued by Union soldiers. He was eventually tracked down and killed by Sergeant Boston Corbett on April 26, 1865, in a barn in Virginia.
The Deringer Pistol Today
Today, the Deringer pistol is a relic of the past, a reminder of the tragic events of April 14, 1865. Many Deringer pistols are on display in museums and historical collections, and they are often used to educate the public about the history of firearms and the significance of the assassination of President Lincoln.
Table: Characteristics of the Deringer Pistol
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Small, portable |
| Shot type | Single-shot |
| Caliber | .44 |
| Barrel length | 2-3 inches |
| Design | Compact, easy to conceal |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the gun used by John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln was a Deringer pistol, specifically a Philadelphia-made Gardner Deringer. The Deringer was a small, single-shot, pocket-sized firearm that was popular in the mid-19th century. Its compact size and ease of concealment made it the perfect weapon for Booth’s nefarious plans. Today, the Deringer pistol is a relic of the past, a reminder of the tragic events of April 14, 1865.
