(Testimony of Adrian Thomas Alba)
Mr. Liebeler.
Was there anything peculiar about this particular rifle that made Oswald want it? Or why did he want you to sell this rifle? Do you know?
Mr. Alba.
He told me he had a couple of guns, and he would like to have the carbine. He was familiar with the carbine from the service, I believe.
Mr. Liebeler.
And this was the regular M-1 carbine?
Mr. Alba.
Regular M-1 carbine, yes.
Mr. Liebeler.
From whom had you ordered that carbine? Do you recall?
Mr. Alba.
Through the National Rifle Association.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did Oswald indicate to you what other kind of rifle or weapons that he had?
Mr. Alba.
No; he didn't. He did make a remark that he had--I think he said he had several rifles and, several pistols, but he did not go into the nature of the arms, or how much, or what they were.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did he ever express any interest in any rifle that you indicated that you had, other than this M-1 carbine that you told him you had order?
Mr. Alba.
One 30.06 Springfield rifle that I had.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you have that?
Mr. Alba.
I was in the process of sporterizing that at the garage at the time----
Mr. Liebeler.
What did he say about that particular weapon?
Mr. Alba.
He said what was it worth to me, and I told him it was worth over $100 to me. There was no followup on that.
Mr. Liebeler.
Was this particular rifle that you have referred to, a Japanese rifle?
Mr. Alba.
No it wasn't. I had a Japanese rifle down there that was not for sale, an he was more partial to the Japanese rifle than the Springfield and the carbine put together.
Mr. Liebeler.
He was really interested----
Mr. Alba.
He was more interested in the Japanese rifle.
Mr. Liebeler.
Had you already sporterized that?
Mr. Alba.
That was completely sporterized.
Mr. Liebeler.
What do you do to a rifle when you sporterize it?
Mr. Alba.
Alter the stock, eliminate me of the weight, and the length of the stock, because it is a military piece to start with, and you glass-bead the stock.
Mr. Liebeler.
And what does that mean?
Mr. Alba.
To accurize the stock, and you put this where you have all metal to w d contact in the stock. It is referred to as accurizing, and sporterizing, and customizing a piece.
Mr. Liebeler.
What did Oswald say about this particular Japanese rifle?
Mr. Alba.
Nothing other than his desire to possess the gun, or to purchase the gun from me.
Mr. Liebeler.
Do you recall being interviewed by an agent of the FBI?
Mr. Alba.
Yes; I do.
Mr. Alba.
Twice, I believe. Let me retract that--the FBI came to the office, I think, three different times. I was never up in their office or contacted----
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you discuss this Japanese rifle with them?
Mr. Alba.
Yes; I did.
Mr. Liebeler.
And do you recall telling them that Oswald was interested in the number of inches that had been cut from the barrel of the gun?
Mr. Alba.
I believe I did; yes.
Mr. Liebeler.
Do you recall what Oswald said, about that?
Mr. Alba.
No; not other than a general discussion of the trajectory and the feet per second, and et cetera, and the general accuracy elimination--I mean elimination of the accuracy of the gun cutting the barrel off.
Mr. Liebeler.
What is the effect of cutting the barrel?
Mr. Alba.
On the accuracy of a rifle; none.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you tell Oswald that?
Mr. Liebeler.
Did he seem surprised?
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