What happened to the gun that killed abraham lincoln?

What Happened to the Gun that Killed Abraham Lincoln?

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and Confederate sympathizer, while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Lincoln’s death was a devastating blow to the nation, and the event has been the subject of much speculation and intrigue over the years.

The Gun Used in the Assassination

The gun used in the assassination was a Deringer pocket pistol, a small,.44 caliber revolver that was popular among civilians and soldiers during the Civil War. The pistol was owned by John Wilkes Booth, who had purchased it from a pawnshop in Baltimore, Maryland.

Initial Handling of the Gun

After the assassination, the gun was taken into custody by the authorities and was initially stored at the Washington Arsenal, a military base in Washington D.C. In the days following the assassination, the gun was handled by several individuals, including:

• Major Henry R. Rathbone, a military officer who was seated next to Lincoln at the theater and was one of the first people to respond to the shooting.
• Colonel Everton Conger, a military officer who was part of the group that arrested Booth and searched his hotel room.
• Detective James McDevitt, a Washington D.C. police detective who was tasked with investigating the assassination.

Disappearance of the Gun

Despite the gun being handled by several individuals, it eventually disappeared from the custody of the authorities. The exact circumstances of the gun’s disappearance are still unclear, but it is believed that the gun was likely stolen or lost during the chaos and confusion that followed the assassination.

Possible Theories

There are several theories about what happened to the gun, including:

• Theft by a military officer: One theory is that the gun was stolen by a military officer who was involved in the investigation. This theory suggests that the officer, who was not named, took the gun as a souvenir or to sell it on the black market.
• Loss during a move: Another theory is that the gun was lost during a move from the Washington Arsenal to a new location. This theory suggests that the gun was packed away in a box or crate and was accidentally left behind or misplaced during the move.
• Destruction: A third theory is that the gun was intentionally destroyed by the authorities. This theory suggests that the gun was seen as too valuable or too sensitive to be left in the custody of the authorities, and was therefore destroyed to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

Recent Developments

In recent years, there have been several claims and rumors about the gun’s whereabouts. Some have suggested that the gun was found in a attic or basement, while others have claimed that it was sold at auction or is now on display in a museum.

Conclusion

The disappearance of the gun that killed Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most enduring unsolved mysteries of American history. Despite numerous investigations and theories, the exact circumstances of the gun’s disappearance remain unclear. While we may never know what happened to the gun, the event continues to fascinate and intrigue us to this day.

Timeline of Events

Table: Theories About the Gun’s Disappearance

Bullets: Key Points

• The gun used in the assassination was a Deringer pocket pistol, a small,.44 caliber revolver.
• The gun was taken into custody by the authorities and was initially stored at the Washington Arsenal.
• The gun was handled by several individuals, including Major Henry R. Rathbone, Colonel Everton Conger, and Detective James McDevitt.
• The gun disappeared from custody, and its whereabouts remain unclear.
• There are several theories about what happened to the gun, including theft, loss during a move, and destruction.
• Despite numerous investigations and claims, the exact circumstances of the gun’s disappearance remain unclear.