Mr. Lane. Thank you. May I comment upon the examination?
The Chairman. Yes; you may; if you saw anything of any significance there, you may state it.
Mr. Lane. Yes. I would like to call to the attention of the Commission the affidavit signed by a police officer, Seymour Weitzman, dated the 23d day of November 1963, the original of which was at one time in the office of the district attorney of Dallas. In that document, Officer Weitzman states he found, along with another person—a deputy sheriff, I believe, or a deputy of some sort—the alleged murder weapon, on the 22d day of November 1963, on the sixth floor of the Book Depository Building.
And in that affidavit Mr. Weitzman—Officer Weitzman—swears that the murder weapon which he found, or the weapon which he found on that floor, was a Mauser 7.65 millimeters. A Mauser, of course, is a German weapon. The rifle which is before the Commission, and which is, I assume, allegedly now the murder weapon, is, of course, not a German Mauser 7.65 millimeters, but is an Italian carbine, 6.5 millimeters.
Although I am personally not a rifle expert, I was able to determine that it was an Italian carbine because printed indelibly upon it are the words "Made Italy" and "caliber 6.5." I suggest it is very difficult for a police officer to pick up a weapon which has printed upon it clearly in English "Made Italy, Cal 6.5," and then the next day draft an affidavit stating that that was in fact a German Mauser, 7.65 millimeters.
The Chairman. Very well. Anything further? We will take a short recess, then.
(Brief recess.)
The Chairman. Gentlemen, the Commission will come to order. There is nothing further at this time. The meeting is adjourned.
(Whereupon, at 3:20 p.m., the President's Commission recessed.)