The comparison we made was of the marks appearing in this photograph, 558, in fairly close proximity to the firing pin hole, since that is the area that the primer in the head of the cartridge case comes in contact with.
The primer in a cartridge case normally takes marks more readily than the surrounding brass portion of the cartridge case, which is a considerably harder metal and is not impressed with these marks as readily.
The three cartridge cases, 553, 554, and 555, were compared——
Mr. Eisenberg. Is that 543, 544, and 545?
Mr. Frazier. I am sorry—yes, 543, 544, and 545. These three cartridge cases were placed one at a time on the comparison microscope, and the surfaces having the breech-face marks or the bolt marks were compared with those on the test cartridge cases, Exhibit 557. As a result of comparing the pattern of microscopic markings on the test cartridge cases and those marks on Exhibits 543, 544, and 545, both of the face of the bolt and the firing pin, I concluded that these three had been fired in this particular weapon.
Representative Boggs. Who manufactured these cartridges?
Mr. Frazier. Western Cartridge Co., East Alton, Ill.
Representative Boggs. They manufacture cartridges and bullets for all manner of rifles?
Mr. Frazier. Yes, they do.
Representative Boggs. This is not—this rifle is not common in the United States, is it?