Mr. Eisenberg.

Now, if the firing pin had struck the primer, it could only have been after the trigger was pulled all the way back, under the discussion you have just given us, is that correct?

Mr. Cunningham.

Or after cocking.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Or after it had been cocked and pulled?

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes; if it is in the cocked position, grabbing the cylinder will do you no good; due to the fact that in the very operation of cocking this weapon, the cylinder is rotated, and it is ready to be fired.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Now, in either event, the hammer would have traveled almost to the outermost extremity to which it can go. That is, the hammer would have traveled back all the way, whether it was cocked or fired in a double-action manner. If that had happened, what would the likelihood be that upon returning to the cartridge case, it would not fire the cartridge case that upon returning to the cartridge, the cartridge would not be fired?

Mr. Cunningham.

You mean actually the hammer had gone all the way through its cycle?

Mr. Eisenberg.

Yes.

Mr. Cunningham.

I can only say that from my examination internally, as well as having fired this weapon--I found no reason why you would get a misfire with this weapon.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Now, if a man had put his hand between the hammer and the point at which the hammer enters, with the firing pin, into the breech face, would that stop the weapon from firing?

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes and no. It is very possible that you can do it. And it hurts, by the way, because the mainspring in this one you can see the indentation in my thumb--is a very strong mainspring. It would be possible. You could put something in there.
Now, the question is when you pull that object out, would there be enough distance and enough force to set off the primer?
That is quite a moot point, because you could grab the hammer and recock it.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Apart from that question, would the man's finger or what ever object he stuck in there be firmly fixed for a second or two, between the hammer and the breech face?

Mr. Cunningham.

It could be.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Would he feel the impact?

Mr. Cunningham.

He would definitely feel the impact--if he had a piece of tissue of his hand in between. Now, if a piece of material, of course, went between it which I don't know how it could happen--if you were struggling over the gun, and he said he grabbed the gun--I don't know how he could have any thing except a portion of his hand, and I am sure he would feel it if the trigger was pulled.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Finally, if he had just grasped the cylinder, and Oswald had pulled back on the trigger, could you demonstrate the sound which might have been heard?

Mr. Cunningham.

yes; you can- hold it, and you get a snapping sound if the gun is grabbed away forcefully, and he would be really gabbing hard. So there could have been an attempt to shoot and a snap would be heard. Yes, sir.

Mr. Eisenberg.

The only thing which is unlikely is that the primer would be dented on the misfire?

Mr. Cunningham.

You would not get any denting if the cylinder was held and the gun was jerked forcibly out of Oswald's hands. You would hear the snap, but you would get no mark on the primer whatsoever.
The same thing he could hear if he jerked it out of his hands and he accidentally, somehow, hit the hammer-- you would still get a noise, a snapping sound. But the firing pin would not come in contact with the primer of the cartridge.

Representative Ford.

Because of the discussion we had a few minutes ago?

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes, sir.

Representative Ford.

Using the diagram that was inserted as Exhibit 593.

Mr. Eisenberg.

One final question. Officer McDonald says in this letter, "I then got a secure grip on the butt of the pistol."