Mr. Cunningham.

That is correct. The only difference is that they are different brands. They were made by two different manufacturers.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Could you show that to the Chairman for his examination?

The Chairman.

These appear to be lead bullets.

Mr. Cunningham.

They are, sir.

The Chairman.

The others appeared to be jacketed.

Mr. Cunningham.

They are not, sir. It is known as gilding metal. They are copper-coated lead bullets. Actually, it is an alloy--it is not pure copper. They have been flash coated, for sales appeal, more than anything else.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Does that coating serve to prevent distortion to any measurable extent when the bullet has penetrated a body?

Mr. Cunningham.

No, it would not, to any appreciable amount. It is such a thin coat, as you can see. Later on I will show you the ones that have been fired, and also the bullets removed from Officer Tippit's body. You can see the coating comes off--it flakes off--it is very thin.

Mr. Eisenberg.

So that Exhibits 587 and 588 are substantially similar to the R-P cartridge you have just been discussing?

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes. They are both loaded to the same specifications, even though there are two manufacturers. All commercially made ammunition in this country is loaded to a specific muzzle velocity.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Mr. Chairman, may I have this R-P cartridge which Mr. Cunningham has been discussing admitted into evidence as Commission Exhibit 589?

The Chairman.

It may be admitted.
(The article referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 589, and received in evidence.)

Mr. Eisenberg.

You have been showing us a .38 S&W, Mr. Cunningham?

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Do you have an example of a .38 Special?

Mr. Cunningham.

I do. The first one is a Western .38 Special copper-coated lead bullet of Western manufacture, a .38 Special. The other components I have here are components of the same cartridge from which the bullet has been pulled.

Mr. Eisenberg.

May I have the cartridge case, bullet, and cartridge admitted into evidence as 590?

The Chairman.

It may be admitted.
(The article referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 590, and received in evidence.)

Mr. Eisenberg.

Now, Mr. Cunningham, could you describe to us briefly the difference

Mr. Cunningham.

Do you want the Remington-Peters?

Mr. Eisenberg.

You are holding in your hand a Remington-Peters disassembled and assembled .38 Special?

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Would you hand that to the Chief Justice? May this be admitted into evidence as Exhibit 591?

The Chairman.

It may be admitted.
(The article referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 591, and received in evidence.)

Mr. Eisenberg.

This consists of an assembled R-P .38 Special and a disassembled R-P .38 Special.
Again, I notice, Mr. Cunningham, that the R-P bullet has a lead-colored look, whereas Exhibit 590 had a copper-colored look.

Mr. Cunningham.

Yes, sir. The Western coating is known by the trade name "Lubaloy." It is a trade name of the Western Cartridge Co., and it is nothing more than a gilding metal--actually, it is just a flash coating on the outside of the bullet. There is some advantage, a very small advantage, as to leading. But it is mostly for sales appeal, because with Winchester bullets, some do and some don't have the coating. Most of Winchesters which is the same bullet, have not been copper coated--that they are selling today.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Now, can you explain the difference in terms of dimensions and contour, weight, and so forth, between the .38 Special bullets which you have just shown us and the .38 S&W bullets which you have shown to us?