One of the many, many vexing curiosities of the JFKA is the "Tague shot": Where did it come from?
As JFKA buffs know, a lead projectile struck a curb near Tague during the JFKA, with enough force to spray concrete or other matter upwards into his face, causing cuts.
Some have posited a FMJ bullet from LHO's M-C caused the Tague shot. Only lead was found on the curb, by the FBI.
The argument goes this way: A FMJ slug splintered upon striking JFK's head, and lead squirted out of the FMJ projectile, and flew toward Tague's feet, causing the resulting injuries.
One problem is the FMJ that struck JFK did so on the lower right side of his head, and caused a blow-out of the right temple. That is,
away from the direction of Tague.
Hard to see how lead squirted out
through JFK's head towards Tague. The x-rays show no blowouts or holes on the left side of JFK's skull.
I put very low odds on the FMJ splintering after striking JFK's head explanation of the Tague shot.
One plausible explanation is the Tague shot resulted from a handgun.
AI:
In 1963, commercially reliable jacketed hollow point (JHP) handgun ammunition was virtually non-existent, as law enforcement and civilians relied heavily on standard lead round-nose bullets. [1] (
https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/hollowpoints-myths-facts/99505), [2]
(
https://www.quora.com/What-types-of-ammunition-were-commonly-used-by-law-enforcement-and-military-in-1963)
The State of Handgun Ammo in 1963
Standard Police Load: Most police officers carried six-shot double-action revolvers (like the Smith & Wesson Model 10) chambered in .38 Special. The standard-issue round was a slow, 158-grain lead round-nose (LRN) cartridge traveling at roughly 850 feet per second. [1]
(
https://supervelammunition.com/history/), [2] (
https://www.quora.com/What-types-of-ammunition-were-commonly-used-by-law-enforcement-and-military-in-1963)
During this era, the universal standard for civilian, police, and self-defense ammunition in the popular .38 Smith & Wesson Special (and the older, shorter .38 S&W) was a solid lead bullet. [1] (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_S%26W), [2] (
https://revolverguy.com/ammo-evolution-38-special-treasury-load/)
---30---
Someone armed with a snub-nose .38 at the GK, fired in the direction of Tague, as a diversion? The .38 lead bullet struck the curb, resulting in the light injuries to Tague?
It is a plausible explanation. The diversion worked?
But, LNT or CT,
caveat emptor and draw your own conclusions. They will be as good as anyone else's.
