Mrs. Oswald. Yes, it was open, out in the open. At first I think—I saw some package up on the top shelf, and I think that that was the rifle. But I didn't know. And apparently later he assembled it and had it in the room.
Mr. Rankin. When you saw the rifle assembled in the room, did it have the scope on it?
Mrs. Oswald. No, it did not have a scope on it.
Mr. Rankin. Did you have any discussion with your husband about the rifle when you first saw it?
Mrs. Oswald. Of course I asked him, "What do you need a rifle for? What do we need that for?"
He said that it would come in handy some time for hunting. And this was not too surprising because in Russia, too, we had a rifle.
Mr. Rankin. In Russia did you have a rifle or a shotgun?
Mrs. Oswald. I don't know the difference. One and the other shoots. You men. That is your business.
The Chairman. My wife wouldn't know the difference, so it is all right.
Mrs. Oswald. I have never served in the Army.