Description of Rifle [WCR]
The bolt-action, clip-fed rifle found on the sixth floor of the Depository, described more fully in appendix X, is inscribed with various markings, including "MADE ITALY," "CAL. 6.5," "1940" and the number C2766.126 (See Commission Exhibit Nos. 1303, 541(2) and 541 (3), pp. 82-83.)
These markings have been explained as follows: "MADE ITALY" refers to its origin; "CAL. 6.5" refers to the rifle's caliber; "1940" refers to the year of manufacture; and the number C2766 is the serial number. This rifle is the only one of its type bearing that serial number.
After review of standard reference works and the markings on the rifle, it was identified by the FBI as a 6.5-millimeter model 91/38 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle.
Experts from the FBI made an independent determination of the caliber by inserting a Mannlicher-Carcano 6.5-millimeter cartridge into the weapon for fit, and by making a sulfur cast of the inside of the weapon's barrel and measuring the cast with a micrometer. From outward appearance, the weapon would appear to be a 7.35-millimeter rifle, but its mechanism had been re barreled with a 6.5-millimeter barrel.
Constable Deputy Sheriff Weitzman, who only saw the rifle at a glance and did not handle it, thought the weapon looked like a 7.65 Mauser bolt-action rifle. 131 (See chapter V, p. 235.)
You would think it would be just a simple mistake...
But instead we have 3 affidavits & 2 FBI Reports from 2 men and statements from a 3rd that call the gun a 7.65 Mauser
The documents go on to describe the strap and specific markings on the gun in detail; the last one is dated as late as 11/25. (Weitzman)
There is no signed or sworn affidavit by any police officer involved in the finding of the rifle listed it as a Mannlicher-Carcano?only as a 7.65 Mauser.
Date: November 22, 1963
COUNTY OF DALLAS
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
SUPPLEMENTARY INVESTIGATION REPORT
Mr. Decker:
I was assisting in the search of the 6th floor of the Dallas County Book Depository at Elm St. and Houston St. proceeding from the xxxxxx East side of the building. Officer Weitzman DPD and I were together as we approached the Northwest corner of the building xxxxxx I was the rifle partially hidden behind a row of books with two (2) other boxes of books against the rifle. The rifle appeared to be a 7.65 mm Mauser with a telescope sight on the rifle. Capt. Fritz was called to the scene and also someone from the ID xxxx pictures were taken and Capt Fritz picked up the rifle. I first saw the rifle at 1:22pm date.
E. L. Boone 240 DSO
Date: November 23, 1963
Seymour Weitzman
Affidavit in Any Fact
At this time Captain Fritz arrived and ordered all of the sixth floor sealed off and searched. I was working with Deputy S. Boone of the Sheriff's Department and helping in the search. We were in the northwest corner of the sixth floor when Deputy Boone and myself spotted the rifle about the same time. The rifle was a 7.65 Mauser bolt action equipped with a 4/18 scope, a thick leather brownish-black sling on it. Seymour Weitzman
Each document notes the Mauser as a 7.65mm - where are they getting this number fromr? - Do they already know they are looking for 6.5mm?
Weitzman & Boone have similar descriptions...
Deputy Sheriff Boone's affidavit
" What appeared to be a 7.65 Mauser with a telescopic site.
The rifle had what appeared to be a brownish, black stock and blue steel, metal parts."
Testimony Seymour Weitzman
Mr. BALL - You also said it was a gun metal color?
Mr. WEITZMAN - Yes.
Mr. BALL - Gray or blue?
Mr. WEITZMAN - Blue metal.
Mr. BALL - And the rear portion of the bolt was visibly worn, is that worn?
Mr. WEITZMAN - That's right.
Mr. BALL - And the wooden portion of the rifle was what color?
Mr. WEITZMAN - It was a brown, or I would say not a mahogany brown but dark oak brown.
Mr. BALL - Rough wood, was it?
Mr. WEITZMAN - Yes, sir; rough wood.
Missing FBI REPORT and /or Transmission
Mr. McCLOY. There was never any doubt in your mind what the rifle was from the minute you saw it?
Mr. DAY. No, sir; It was stamped right on there, 6.5, and when en route to the office with Mr. Odum, the FBI agent who drove me in, he radioed it in, he radioed in what it was to the FBI over the air. and where is this? ...SA Bardwell Odum--gotta love that guy!!
So how does the WC resolve this matter?
In the Speculations & Rumors (Chapter 12)
Commission finding.--Weitzman, the original source of the speculation that the rifle was a Mauser, and Deputy Sheriff Eugene Boone found the weapon. Weitzman did not handle the rifle and did not examine it at close range. He had little more than a glimpse of it and thought it was a Mauser, a German bolt-type rifle similar in appearance to the Mannlicher-Carcano. Police laboratory technicians subsequently arrived and correctly identified the weapon as a 6.5 Italian rifle. 31
really...?
Here's what he told the FBI on Saturday...
Nov 23 1963
Weitzman FBI Report
Mr. Weitzman described the rifle was found as a 7.65 caliber Mauser action rifle, loads from a five shot clip is locked on the underside of the receiver forward of the trigger guard.
The metal parts of this rifle were of a gun metal color, gray or blue and the rear portion of the bolt was visibly worn.
The wooden portions of this rifle were a dark brown in color and of rough wood apparently having been used or damaged to a considerable extent.
The rifle was equipped with a four power 18 scope of apparent Japanese manufacture. It's also equipped with a thick brown- black leather bandolier type sling
five shot clip
locked on the underside of trigger guard
dark brown in color and of rough wood
rear portion of the bold visibly worn
wooden portions damaged to a considerable extent
four power 18 scope Japanese make
brown-black leather bandolier type strap
...and with little more than a glimpse...he can still call it a 7.65mm
Many folks who are ignorant about the differences between a Argentine 7.65 Mauser, and the Italian Mannlicher Carcano
( which was found carefully hidden beneath boxes of books, near the NW stairway in the TSBD ) should pay attention to Weitzman's description of the rifle that he described for the FBI report.....
Nov 23 1963
Weitzman FBI Report
Mr. Weitzman described the rifle was found as a 7.65 caliber Mauser action rifle, loads from a five shot clip is locked on the underside of the receiver forward of the trigger guard.
The metal parts of this rifle were of a gun metal color, gray or blue and the rear portion of the bolt was visibly worn.
The wooden portions of this rifle were a dark brown in color and of rough wood apparently having been used or damaged to a considerable extent.
The rifle was equipped with a four power 18 scope of apparent Japanese manufacture. It's also equipped with a thick brown- black leather bandolier type sling
five shot clip
locked on the underside of trigger guard
dark brown in color and of rough wood
rear portion of the bold visibly worn
wooden portions damaged to a considerable extent
four power 18 scope Japanese make
brown-black leather bandolier type strap
Note the date..... November 23, 1963
Mr. Weitzman described the rifle was found as a
7.65 caliber Mauser Weitzman said the rifle was a 7.65 caliber bolt action, Mauser.
five shot clip
The Carcano uses a
SIX cartridge clip
locked on the underside of trigger guard
The six shot carcano clip is loaded from the top....It slides down into the magazine.....
rear portion of the bold visibly worn
The Carcano bolt is
NOT visibly worn
wooden portions damaged to a considerable extent
The wooden stock of the Mannlicher Carcano is
NOT damaged
four power 18 scope
The scope on the Mannlicher Carcano was not stamped four power, 18
equipped with a thick brown- black leather bandolier type sling
Look at the photos of the Mannlicher carcano....It has a flimsy light duty sling ...black on the finish side, and pink or tan on the raw side ...And it it NOT a bandolier type sling......
Obviously, the rifle being described in the FBI report is a 7.65 Mauser and it is NOT a Mannlicher Carcano.
