Did anyone else watch NOVA last night?

[DWalt]

On NOVA (PBS) last night was a show about the ballistics investigation of the JFK assassination. Sort of interesting, but not anything I considered that surprising. But at least I did learn the proper pronunciation of Carcano (Carcuhno). It's on the PBS NOVA website if anyone is interested.

 

[NYlakesider]

On NOVA (PBS) last night was a show about the ballistics investigation of the JFK assassination. Sort of interesting, but not anything I considered that surprising. But at least I did learn the proper pronunciation of Carcano (Carcuhno). It's on the PBS NOVA website if anyone is interested.

Saw most of it. Had a couple things I had to do. I did get a big kick out of "The Expert" said in the beginning that it was impossible to get off 3 shots in that time frame. with that rifle. Yeah OK

They did sid say there were much better guns for hunting people. Hey I was about 16 when Kennedy was shot and I said the same thing. I do remember those outfits selling that way, there were about 3 or 4 Klein, Hi Hunter, Interarms <SP>

 

[bigwheelzip]

But at least I did learn the proper pronunciation of Carcano (Carcuhno).

As well as the pronunciation, the 6.5mm Carcano bullet profile that's designed with more surface area for better rifling engagement, and bullet stability, was also new to me.

 

[rockquarry]

bigwheelzip - I don't quite follow your response; perhaps I didn't understand it.

I think the Carcano bullet is relatively long and probably does have a lot of bearing surface. Whatever the twist rate was (probably fast) would contribute to adequate bullet stability.

 

[italiansport]

I believe what you saw is a repeat of a NOVA program of several years ago. Is this the one where they actually set up,rifle,car etc. to duplicate what Oswald would have had to do to make the shots?
Jim

 

[Absalom]

I believe what you saw is a repeat of a NOVA program of several years ago. Is this the one where they actually set up,rifle,car etc. to duplicate what Oswald would have had to do to make the shots?
Jim

It depends which one you remember. This isn't the first NOVA on the JFK case. I've got one from the early 1990s somewhere on VHS tape, which was re-broadcast several times. It too contains real-life simulation tests with a rifle. This new one was aired in November 2013 originally.

Watch Full Episodes Online of NOVA on PBS | Cold Case JFK

 

[bigwheelzip]

bigwheelzip - I don't quite follow your response; perhaps I didn't understand it.

I think the Carcano bullet is relatively long and probably does have a lot of bearing surface. Whatever the twist rate was (probably fast) would contribute to adequate bullet stability.

The show explained that the lack of taper helps to keep it centered, stable and concentric to the bore. While slight, the tapered nose induces a wiggle, according to the show.

 

[Steve912]

Was it with the Australian guy ("an expert is someone who's from
out of town")? There were quite a few exaggerations and at least one misrepresentation in his version of "the facts." If it's the same version, he claimed it was a Secret Service guy a few cars back, who had a negligent
discharge from his newly assigned & unfamiliar M16...which means a whole bunch of Secret Service guys would have been knowledgeable and would have had to stay mum. Doesn't pass the sniff test, for me--way too much pointing at Oswald.

 

[cougar14]

I do remember those outfits selling that way, there were about 3 or 4 Klein, Hi Hunter, Interarms <SP>[/QUOTE]

I remember getting mine from Herter's, with scope, for $19.88 in 1963. I think Oswald's came from there, also, equipped the same.

 

[DWalt]

Was it with the Australian guy ("an expert is someone who's from
out of town")? There were quite a few exaggerations and at least one misrepresentation in his version of "the facts." If it's the same version, he claimed it was a Secret Service guy a few cars back, who had a negligent
discharge from his newly assigned & unfamiliar M16...which means a whole bunch of Secret Service guys would have been knowledgeable and would have had to stay mum. Doesn't pass the sniff test, for me--way too much pointing at Oswald.

This guy (actually guys) were a father-son "expert" team and spoke like Americans. Probably the most significant finding was a computer graphics simulation of JFK's exploding head skull fractures patterns which provided fairly conclusive support that the killing head shot had to come from the rear, toward the TSBD, and not the grassy knoll or anywhere else. They pointed out that had the original autopsy been performed using forensic procedures by doctors who knew how to do a forensic autopsy instead of a pair of rank amateurs who didn't, most of the conspiracy theories would never have been put forth. Dr. Vincent DiMaio, the former Bexar County (San Antonio) ME, considered to be one of the best MEs anywhere concerning gunshot deaths (when he was practicing) made a few cogent points about the low standards of the autopsy done by the Navy doctors. I had a long conversation with Dr. DiMaio about 10 years ago on a totally different matter, and he is a very impressive guy when it comes to analysis of gunshot wounds. In fact, he actually wrote the textbook on it.

 

[Absalom]

Was it with the Australian guy ("an expert is someone who's from
out of town")? There were quite a few exaggerations and at least one misrepresentation in his version of "the facts." If it's the same version, he claimed it was a Secret Service guy a few cars back, who had a negligent
discharge from his newly assigned & unfamiliar M16...which means a whole bunch of Secret Service guys would have been knowledgeable and would have had to stay mum. Doesn't pass the sniff test, for me--way too much pointing at Oswald.

No. That rather outlandish theory wasn't mentioned in either PBS documentary; you probably saw some info-tainment piece on the History or Discovery Channel. The M16/Secret Service theory actually isn't new; I'm not familiar with any Australian guy, but it was originally invented by the author of a book called "Mortal Error" I read in the 80s or 90s; I'm too lazy to dig up the details right now, but it seemed pretty farfetched then.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Different "experts" claim that the shots were fired from between 3 and 8 seconds. I still have my dad's 1927 Breda 6.5x54 MS. In my youth I could dispatch a stripper clip, on target, in 8-10 seconds. Mind you, I wasn't reaquiring with a scope targets that were moving away from me.

As for the cartridge, in it's day, with it's high SD and velocity, it was very popular with European hunters and touted by Hemmingway, T.R. and Capt. Bell.

Commercial ammo can still be had for $1.50-$2.00 a round so somebody still likes it.

 

[italiansport]

I do remember those outfits selling that way, there were about 3 or 4 Klein, Hi Hunter, Interarms <SP>

I remember getting mine from Herter's, with scope, for $19.88 in 1963. I think Oswald's came from there, also, equipped the same.[/QUOTE]

Oswald's came from Kleins in Chicago for $12.95 as I remember I can dig out the ad he bought it from if necessary.
Jim

 

[DWalt]

I have the original ad from the May 1963 issue of G&A - the LHO Carcano came from Klein's. It sold for $19.95 including the 4X scope, $12.88 w/o the scope. The LHO chopped Victory (used to kill Officer J. D. Tippett) came from Seaport Traders. I don't have the ad for it. Nothing was mentioned about it in the NOVA program. But there are some ballistic mysteries surrounding the Victory also. It's mentioned in the Warren Commission report, but as the discrepancies could not be explained, they were just ignored.