Mr. Eisenberg.

Why is that?

Mr. Cunningham.

That is due to the oversized chambers of this revolver. As I previously testified, the weapon was originally chambered for the .38 S&W, which is a wider cartridge than .38 Special. And when a .38 Special is fired in this particular weapon, the case form fits to the shape of each chamber. And in one of those cartridges, the metal just let go. Normally it does not; however this one particular case split slightly.

Representative Ford.

Does that have any impact on the rest of the operation?

Mr. Cunningham.

No, sir. As a matter of fact, I test-fired the weapon originally, and I didn't even know it had split until I tried to eject it.

Mr. Eisenberg.

You mentioned before, by the way, that there had been no misfires with this weapon. Approximately how many times was the weapon fired altogether?

Mr. Cunningham.

I would have no way of knowing exactly, but I imagine we are approaching close to a hundred times by now.

Mr. Eisenberg.

And no misfires?

Mr. Cunningham.

And no misfires.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Now, Mr. Cunningham, did you take photographs of the cartridge cases which you have just identified as having been fired from 143, and the cartridge eases which are Commission Exhibit No. 595?

Mr. Cunningham.

I did.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Did you make your identification on the basis of the photographs or on the basis of your examination under the microscope?

Mr. Cunningham.

My conclusions were arrived at strictly on the basis of my examinations. These photographs in no way entered into the identification and are strictly for demonstrative purposes.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Could you show us these photographs, Mr. Cunningham?

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Let's take them one at a time, and let's introduce them as exhibits, one at a time. I have here you have given me five photographs. Did you take each of these photographs?

Mr. Cunningham.

As a matter of fact; I did. I personally took these.

Mr. Eisenberg.

And these are photographs of what?

Mr. Cunningham.

They are photographs of the individual characteristic marks on the base and in the firing-pin impression on test cartridge cases obtained from Oswald's revolver. and also the marks on the base and in the firing-pin impression on the cartridge cases, Commission Exhibit No. 594.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Mr. Chairman, I would like these admitted, if you would, as 596, 597, 598, 599, and 600.

Representative Ford.

They may be admitted.
(The documents referred to were marked Commission Exhibits Nos. 596 through 600, and received in evidence.)

Representative Ford.

Will the witness explain to the Commission what they mean?

Mr. Eisenberg.

Yes; he will. Did you also make a photograph of the breech face of the weapon, Mr. Cunningham?

Mr. Cunningham.

I did. I didn't take this photograph. I was present when it was taken. I have compared the negative with the actual breech face of Commission Exhibit 143, and I found it to be a true and accurate reproduction.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Could you show us that photograph? May I have that admitted as 601, Mr. Chairman?

Representative Ford.

It may be admitted.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 601, and received in evidence.)

Mr. Eisenberg.

Could you show us the area of the revolver which corresponds to the area shown in the photograph, Exhibit 601?

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes, sir. The cylinder was first removed to facilitate the photograph. That is very easily done by removing the forward sideplate screw, which is just above the trigger, which allows the crane to slide right out, and the cylinder removed.
The photograph was taken from the right side, looking in toward the firing-pin hole.