JFK Assassination Forum
JFK Assassination Plus General Discussion & Debate => JFK Assassination Plus General Discussion And Debate => Topic started by: John Corbett on April 27, 2026, 09:19:21 PM
-
In a number of threads, people have brought up the fact that people in the motorcade smelled gunpowder as they were going past the GK. To that my reaction has always been SO WHAT. I think we can safely say no one fired a weapon on Elm St. so the people who got a whiff of gunpowder residue when they were on Elm St. give us no clue as to where that residue was discharged. I thought of this following the recent assassination attempt on President Trump and some of the people smelled the gunpowder in the ballroom even though the assailant never discharged his weapon there. The residue that people smell can drift quite a distance from it's origin. This gives us no indication where that residue was discharged from.
-
In a number of threads, people have brought up the fact that people in the motorcade smelled gunpowder as they were going past the GK. To that my reaction has always been SO WHAT. I think we can safely say no one fired a weapon on Elm St. so the people who got a whiff of gunpowder residue when they were on Elm St. give us no clue as to where that residue was discharged. I thought of this following the recent assassination attempt on President Trump and some of the people smelled the gunpowder in the ballroom even though the assailant never discharged his weapon there. The residue that people smell can drift quite a distance from it's origin. This gives us no indication where that residue was discharged from.
Your "So what?" is non responsive. You also are using this often. And on top of all of this, YOU initiated the topic under discussion. Think things through and have an opinion. "So what?" is not an opinion. It is on the level of "Whatever". With respect to the "gunpowder smell", you know the direction the wind was blowing at 12:30 PM on 11/22/63. Your mentioning "drift" only reinforces my "think things through" advice.
-
Your "So what?" is non responsive. You also are using this often. And on top of all of this, YOU initiated the topic under discussion. Think things through and have an opinion. "So what?" is not an opinion. It is on the level of "Whatever". With respect to the "gunpowder smell", you know the direction the wind was blowing at 12:30 PM on 11/22/63. Your mentioning "drift" only reinforces my "think things through" advice.
I do have an opinion and I stated it clearly. The smell of gunpowder is not an indication of where the smell originated. As for the drift, you don't think the gunpowder residue in the air is going to drift?
-
You said, "... smelled gunpowder as they were GOING PASSED the GK". The wind would Not permit a "drifting" gunpowder odor from the TSBD to the GK.
-
You said, "... smelled gunpowder as they were GOING PASSED the GK". The wind would Not permit a "drifting" gunpowder odor from the TSBD to the GK.
No, he didn't. He said "... smelled gunpowder as they were going past the GK."
Is English your second language, Sonderführer Storing?
-
Dallas Police Officer Joe Marshall Smith was one of several witnesses and officers who reported signs of gunfire, including the odor of smoke, near the grassy knoll on November 22, 1963.
According to his testimony and subsequent accounts, Smith's experience included the following:
Response to the Area: Immediately after the shots were fired, Officer Smith ran from his position on the Triple Underpass towards the parking lot area behind the picket fence on the grassy knoll.
Smell of Gunsmoke: Smith reported smelling a distinctive odor of "gunsmoke cordite" in the area behind the fence.
The Imposter Incident: While investigating, Smith reported confronting a man in the area who appeared to be hiding or acting suspiciously behind the fence. When Smith approached and asked what he was doing, the man showed him Secret Service identification, though it was later noted that all authorized Secret Service agents were believed to be in the motorcade.
Testimony Limitations: In his official Warren Commission testimony, Smith noted that he didn't know exactly where the shots came from due to the echo effect in the area, but his instincts led him to the area behind the concrete structure on the knoll.
Smith was among a group of people, including railway workers, who reported seeing a flash of light, hearing a loud report, or seeing a puff of smoke near the picket fence on the knoll.
---30---
The wind was blowing towards the TSBD from the Third Street Overpass...so LHO's M-C was not the source of that gunsmoke.
It is certainly plausible there was a smoke-and-bang show 11.22 at the GK.
Was it a snub-nose .38 that fired, only a diversion?
The fact that I suspect a gunsel at the GK on 11.22, does not mean I subscribe to Tehran- and Moscow-financed JFKA narratives, or elaborate JFKA plots and cover-ups.
I suspect LHO and couple guys, maybe G2'ers, took shots at the President. They got lucky on the motorcade route and layout. That was the whole plot, and LHO was dead soon enough.
The G-2'ers, although acting independently, may have been waxed soon enough also.
The gunsmoke many smelled in the GK area strongly points to a gunsel there.
-
You said, "... smelled gunpowder as they were GOING PASSED the GK". The wind would Not permit a "drifting" gunpowder odor from the TSBD to the GK.
Using a similar logic, if the wind as seen in the following GIF was blowing up Elm street, no doubt being funnelled through the triple underpass, so how would the gunpowder smoke drift onto the road right next to the grassy knoll, if indeed your frontal sniper was behind the fence of the grassy knoll?
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJp9cTRf/Muchmore2.gif)
Taking this concept to its logical conclusion, the following diagram is my estimate of smoke dispersion from the theoretical position of the grassy knoll gunman who allegedly, according to flawed analysis by the HSCA audio "experts", fired one shot that missed. It would be interesting to know how dissipated the gun smoke from a single shot would be in the strong breeze, by the time it reached the sniffwitnesses?
(https://i.postimg.cc/MHK21HfV/probable-smoke-dispersal-area-from-grassy-knoll.jpg)
The amount of smoke from a Carcano isn't very much and a modern firearm produces not much either.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0j61YJDF/Jessefullofit-zpsfd975a79.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/v8Pm5rFq/AMarshisakook-zps41db7f0c.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0yHW2JZ3/gun-smokee.gif)
Perhaps the Grassy Knoll assassin was using a Musket?
(https://i.postimg.cc/dQpchstR/musket-smoke.jpg)
JohnM
-
JM--
It is misnomer that modern firearms do not issue gunsmoke.
AI--
Several modern, readily available ammunition brands are known for producing more smoke at the gun range, often due to the use of "dirtier" burning powders or specialized coatings intended for high-volume, cost-effective target practice.
Based on user experiences, here are the primary brands and types of ammo that produce noticeable smoke:
1. Winchester White Box (WWB)
Frequently cited as the smokiest and "dirtiest" commonly available range ammunition, Winchester's bulk FMJ "white box" ammo often produces significant smoke and residue.
Reddit
Reddit
+2
2. CCI Blazer Brass
While generally considered reliable, Blazer Brass is frequently noted for burning a bit dirtier than premium ammo, resulting in a distinct, moderate amount of smoke at the range.
Reddit
Reddit
+1
---30---
In addition, if a gun barrel has recently been serviced, or oiled, the fresh oil will be emitted along with the gunblast, in the form of smoke.
Snub-nose .38s were known for their loud noise, and gunsmoke, as the short barrel did little to mitigate noise and smoke. In general, the longer the barrel, the less noise and smoke.
You are likely correct in deducing LHO's M-C carbine was not the source of gunsmoke smelled in the GK area, in the immediate aftermath of the JFKA.
The wind was blowing from the GK area towards the TSBD--you see that in women's apparel, skirts, etc.
-
In a number of threads, people have brought up the fact that people in the motorcade smelled gunpowder as they were going past the GK. To that my reaction has always been SO WHAT. I think we can safely say no one fired a weapon on Elm St. so the people who got a whiff of gunpowder residue when they were on Elm St. give us no clue as to where that residue was discharged. I thought of this following the recent assassination attempt on President Trump and some of the people smelled the gunpowder in the ballroom even though the assailant never discharged his weapon there. The residue that people smell can drift quite a distance from it's origin. This gives us no indication where that residue was discharged from.
I think it is common, when people know shots have been fired, to convince themselves that they smelled the gunpowder. I do not trust eye-witnesses and nose-witnesses even less.
Only accept the testimony of a real expert. A Louisiana bloodhound.
-
You said, "... smelled gunpowder as they were GOING PASSED the GK". The wind would Not permit a "drifting" gunpowder odor from the TSBD to the GK.
The gunpowder residue would have been forcefully ejected from the muzzle of Oswald's rifle and could have drifted anywhere. Tell us why you think that residue could have drifted from the GK down to Elm St. but not the sniper's nest down to Elm St.
-
Using a similar logic, if the wind as seen in the following GIF was blowing up Elm street, no doubt being funnelled through the triple underpass, so how would the gunpowder smoke drift onto the road right next to the grassy knoll, if indeed your frontal sniper was behind the fence of the grassy knoll?
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJp9cTRf/Muchmore2.gif)
Taking this concept to its logical conclusion, the following diagram is my estimate of smoke dispersion from the theoretical position of the grassy knoll gunman who allegedly, according to flawed analysis by the HSCA audio "experts", fired one shot that missed. It would be interesting to know how dissipated the gun smoke from a single shot would be in the strong breeze, by the time it reached the sniffwitnesses?
(https://i.postimg.cc/MHK21HfV/probable-smoke-dispersal-area-from-grassy-knoll.jpg)
The amount of smoke from a Carcano isn't very much and a modern firearm produces not much either.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0j61YJDF/Jessefullofit-zpsfd975a79.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/v8Pm5rFq/AMarshisakook-zps41db7f0c.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0yHW2JZ3/gun-smokee.gif)
Perhaps the Grassy Knoll assassin was using a Musket?
(https://i.postimg.cc/dQpchstR/musket-smoke.jpg)
JohnM
Your photos illustrate perfectly why if there had been a gunman on the GK, nobody would have seen smoke from that rifle. In the short clip showing a rifleman firing during a test, the smoke dissipates almost immediately. Nobody on the over pass could have seen smoke from a rifle fired from the GK. I don't know what they saw or what they thought they say it wasn't gun smoke unless the GK shooter was firing a muzzle loader or a blunderbuss.
-
Because the wind was blowing towards the TSBD from the Third Street Overpass.
(https://i.postimg.cc/vZtpnTJ5/Screen-Shot-2569-04-28-at-19-54-27.png)
See that lady's red coat?
-
JM--
It is misnomer that modern firearms do not issue gunsmoke.
AI--
Several modern, readily available ammunition brands are known for producing more smoke at the gun range, often due to the use of "dirtier" burning powders or specialized coatings intended for high-volume, cost-effective target practice.
Based on user experiences, here are the primary brands and types of ammo that produce noticeable smoke:
1. Winchester White Box (WWB)
Frequently cited as the smokiest and "dirtiest" commonly available range ammunition, Winchester's bulk FMJ "white box" ammo often produces significant smoke and residue.
Reddit
Reddit
+2
2. CCI Blazer Brass
While generally considered reliable, Blazer Brass is frequently noted for burning a bit dirtier than premium ammo, resulting in a distinct, moderate amount of smoke at the range.
Reddit
Reddit
+1
---30---
In addition, if a gun barrel has recently been serviced, or oiled, the fresh oil will be emitted along with the gunblast, in the form of smoke.
Snub-nose .38s were known for their loud noise, and gunsmoke, as the short barrel did little to mitigate noise and smoke. In general, the longer the barrel, the less noise and smoke.
You are likely correct in deducing LHO's M-C carbine was not the source of gunsmoke smelled in the GK area, in the immediate aftermath of the JFKA.
The wind was blowing from the GK area towards the TSBD--you see that in women's apparel, skirts, etc.
Why don't you show us just one film clip of a modern firearm shooting smokey ammo.
-
Using a similar logic, if the wind as seen in the following GIF was blowing up Elm street, no doubt being funnelled through the triple underpass, so how would the gunpowder smoke drift onto the road right next to the grassy knoll, if indeed your frontal sniper was behind the fence of the grassy knoll?
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJp9cTRf/Muchmore2.gif)
Taking this concept to its logical conclusion, the following diagram is my estimate of smoke dispersion from the theoretical position of the grassy knoll gunman who allegedly, according to flawed analysis by the HSCA audio "experts", fired one shot that missed. It would be interesting to know how dissipated the gun smoke from a single shot would be in the strong breeze, by the time it reached the sniffwitnesses?
(https://i.postimg.cc/MHK21HfV/probable-smoke-dispersal-area-from-grassy-knoll.jpg)
The amount of smoke from a Carcano isn't very much and a modern firearm produces not much either.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0j61YJDF/Jessefullofit-zpsfd975a79.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/v8Pm5rFq/AMarshisakook-zps41db7f0c.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0yHW2JZ3/gun-smokee.gif)
Perhaps the Grassy Knoll assassin was using a Musket?
(https://i.postimg.cc/dQpchstR/musket-smoke.jpg)
JohnM
JOHN - How are you doing? With respect to the odor of gunpowder, I don't attribute this to a shooter behind the picket fence or anywhere on the Front (R) of the JFK Limo. I believe this "gunpowder" odor is more in line with the AR-15 having been discharged when SA Hickey stood up inside the Queen Mary. I do Not believe the AR-15 discharge struck JFK. It could have been only 1 shot from the AR-15, maybe more, depending on the setting of the weapon at the time. The weapon having been discharged, would then still be emitting the smell of gunpowder as the Queen Mary traveled down the remaining length of Elm St.
-
Obviously, there are some brands of ammo that smoke (see below).
In addition, "hand-loading" of .38 rounds was popular in the 1960s and now.
A hand-loaded .38 round can use who knows what kind of gunpowder. A smoky brand may have been chosen, as the GK shot was intended as a diversion.
I doubt the railroad workers, and Dallas Police officer and war vet Joe Smith, and many others, all imagined they saw and smelled smoke in the GK area, concurrently.
Why there, and not some other location?
---30---
We can put to rest the all ammo does not smoke fiction:
Ammo known for producing significant smoke is generally budget-friendly range ammunition or specialized types like tracers. Users frequently report that certain brands are "dirty," meaning they burn older or less efficient powder mixtures that produce more residue and smoke.
Reddit
Reddit
+1
Here are the brands and types of ammo often cited for being smoky:
Tula / Wolf (Steel Case): These Russian brands are notorious for being both dirty and smoky.
Armscor: Often reported as dirty, producing extra smoke and residue.
Remington UMC/Green Box: Sometimes cited as having a distinct smell and producing more smoke compared to cleaner options.
Winchester White Box (WWB): While a staple for bulk shooting, it is frequently cited for being smokier and dirtier than competition brands.
-
AI Overview
Yes, an AR-15 (likely an early Colt Model 601 or 602) fired 6 times in 1963 would produce a distinct and likely strong, pungent, or acrid odor to anyone nearby.
While modern, high-quality ammunition is relatively clean, several factors in 1963 would make the scent intense.
Why It Would Smell Strongly in 1963
Lubricant Burn-off: Early AR-15s were often heavily treated with packing grease and, when in use, required generous lubrication (like LSA). Firing 6 rounds would heat the rifle, burning off this oil and grease, which creates a very pungent, hot oil smell.
Acrid Gunpowder: Early .223 ammunition utilized specific nitrocellulose propellants that produce a sharp, acrid odor (sometimes described as sulfurous) when burning.
Direct Impingement System: Because the AR-15 directs gases back into the action/bolt carrier group, that burnt powder smell and oil vapors are released near the shooter's face/upper body, making the smell more noticeable than in traditional rifles.
Factory Residue/Grease: New rifles in that era often arrived with thick, pasty protective grease designed for long-term storage, which "smokes" or smells intensely when first fired.
Contextual Factors
Ammonia Smell: Some early or slightly degraded ammunition from that era might produce a strong ammonia scent, especially if moisture was present in the powder, which can happen if the gun is fired shortly after removal from storage.
The "Burning Oil" Factor: If the weapon was heavily lubricated with CLP or LSA (common for military testing), the smell would be quite pungent, similar to "burnt oil + burning engine paint" or a "machine shop".
In summary, 6 shots of early 1960s ammo would be enough to create a distinct, pungent aroma that would linger in the immediate area.
-
AI Overview
No, six spent AR-15 shell casings in your pocket would likely not produce a "strong stink" in a hospital setting, though they do have a faint, distinct odor.
Scent Profile: Fired brass typically smells like burnt matches, fireworks, or sulfur due to the combustion of gunpowder. Some users also describe a metallic or acrid, "pool-like" ammonia smell.
Potency and Dissipation: While the smell is sharp immediately after firing, it dissipates quickly as the casings cool. In a large, ventilated area like a hospital, the scent from just six small casings would likely be undetectable to others unless they were extremely close to your pocket.
Persistence on Person: It is more likely that a person would smell like gunpowder from residue on their skin or clothing (especially sleeves and face) than from the casings themselves.
Security & Policy: While the smell may not be strong, carrying spent casings in a hospital can be problematic. Many facilities have strict Security and Visitor Policies regarding items that resemble ammunition or weapons.
If you are traveling with them, the TSA Shell Casing Guidelines allow empty casings in carry-on bags as long as the primer is discharged and the projectile is removed, but hospital security protocols may be more restrictive.
-
.........and smelled smoke in the GK area, concurrently.
We can put to rest the all ammo does not smoke fiction:
I don't think anybody ever suggested that ammo doesn't smoke because by definition to fire a bullet requires a chemical reaction, gunpowder needs to be ignited to propel the bullet out of the gun but as seen in my previous post the amount of smoky discharge isn't much.
But here we are talking about at most a single shot that was fired in quite a strong breeze as illustrated by the image you posted of Hill's and Moorman's dresses. Do you honestly think that in these conditions that gunpowder from a single shot would still be lingering in the vicinity of the area behind the grassy knoll or would it be quickly dispersed into relatively insignificant amounts up Elm street?
JohnM
-
JM--
I can't prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt.
I lean towards believing that Dallas PD officer Joe Smith, war vet, smelled gunsmoke near the GK, about where Sam Holland other railroad workers said they saw a puff of smoke, in the immediate aftermath of the JFKA.
Of course, they were not the only ones who saw smoke and smelled gunsmoke (gunsmoke gives off a particular scent).
It is a fact a snub-nose .38, especially if freshly oiled, would give off a lot of noise and smoke, especially with certain cheap ammos or hand-packed ammo. The snub-nose .38 was the default concealed weapon of the day.
It is notable that DPD Smith and Dallas Sheriff Seymour Weitzman both encountered a man flashing an (apparently) fake Secret Service credential near the GK, in the aftermath of the JFKA.
That's my take.
I cannot prove my case, but that is the way I lean.
Caveat emptor, and draw your own conclusions.
-
JM--
I can't prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt.
I lean towards believing that Dallas PD officer Joe Smith, war vet, smelled gunsmoke near the GK, about where Sam Holland other railroad workers said they saw a puff of smoke, in the immediate aftermath of the JFKA.
Of course, they were not the only ones who saw smoke and smelled gunsmoke (gunsmoke gives off a particular scent).
It is a fact a snub-nose .38, especially if freshly oiled, would give off a lot of noise and smoke, especially with certain cheap ammos or hand-packed ammo. The snub-nose .38 was the default concealed weapon of the day.
It is notable that DPD Smith and Dallas Sheriff Seymour Weitzman both encountered a man flashing an (apparently) fake Secret Service credential near the GK, in the aftermath of the JFKA.
That's my take.
I cannot prove my case, but that is the way I lean.
Caveat emptor, and draw your own conclusions.
What about gunsmoke smelt by people on the triple underpass.
What about gunsmoke smelt at the other underpasses & overpasses.
And at the hospital.
-
MR-
I cannot explain every witness reaction everywhere in DP 11.22.
IMHO, there is a concentration of credible witnesses near the GK who saw and smelled gunsmoke, in the immediate aftermath of the JFKA.
I contend that gunsmoke did not come from LHO's M-C carbine, as he was upwind.
I am aware of your explanation of the JFKA, but we are on different pages on this one.
However, this is a forum where different views are presented, and I welcome such a platform for all (excluding hate speech promoters).
-
AI Overview
Yes, an AR-15 (likely an early Colt Model 601 or 602) fired 6 times in 1963 would produce a distinct and likely strong, pungent, or acrid odor to anyone nearby.
While modern, high-quality ammunition is relatively clean, several factors in 1963 would make the scent intense.
Why It Would Smell Strongly in 1963
Lubricant Burn-off: Early AR-15s were often heavily treated with packing grease and, when in use, required generous lubrication (like LSA). Firing 6 rounds would heat the rifle, burning off this oil and grease, which creates a very pungent, hot oil smell.
Acrid Gunpowder: Early .223 ammunition utilized specific nitrocellulose propellants that produce a sharp, acrid odor (sometimes described as sulfurous) when burning.
Direct Impingement System: Because the AR-15 directs gases back into the action/bolt carrier group, that burnt powder smell and oil vapors are released near the shooter's face/upper body, making the smell more noticeable than in traditional rifles.
Factory Residue/Grease: New rifles in that era often arrived with thick, pasty protective grease designed for long-term storage, which "smokes" or smells intensely when first fired.
Contextual Factors
Ammonia Smell: Some early or slightly degraded ammunition from that era might produce a strong ammonia scent, especially if moisture was present in the powder, which can happen if the gun is fired shortly after removal from storage.
The "Burning Oil" Factor: If the weapon was heavily lubricated with CLP or LSA (common for military testing), the smell would be quite pungent, similar to "burnt oil + burning engine paint" or a "machine shop".
In summary, 6 shots of early 1960s ammo would be enough to create a distinct, pungent aroma that would linger in the immediate area.
Do you think the GK shooter fired 6 rounds?
-
Do you think the GK shooter fired 6 rounds?
I know that SSA Hickey fired at least 4 shots, the last being the headshot at Z312.
-
I know that SSA Hickey fired at least 4 shots, the last being the headshot at Z312.
Thank you for that fringe take on the assassination.
-
You said, "... smelled gunpowder as they were GOING PASSED the GK". The wind would Not permit a "drifting" gunpowder odor from the TSBD to the GK.
Correct. There is no way that the gunpowder drifted/traveled from the alleged sniper's nest to the grassy knoll area. Plus, several witnesses saw gun smoke above the fence on the grassy knoll, and a puff of this smoke is seen on the Wiegman film.
The two explanations offered to explain the apparent gun smoke in the Wiegman film are (1) motorcycle exhaust fumes and (2) smoke from the steam pipe in the railyard behind the knoll. Neither arguments works. No motorcycle exhaust fumes are seen on any film of the assassination, and the steam pipe was a good 100 feet away from the area seen on the Wiegman film.
Let us consider the witnesses who smelled gunpowder on or near the knoll:
Senator Ralph Yarborough rode in the second car behind the presidential limousine. He smelled gunpowder while on the street and said it clung to the car throughout the frantic drive to Parkland Hospital.
Elizabeth Cabell, the wife of Dallas mayor Earle Cabell, was in the fourth car behind JFK’s limousine. She said she “was acutely aware of the odor of gunpowder.” She added that Congressman Ray Roberts, seated next to her, mentioned that he smelled gunpowder.
Press photographer Tom C. Dillard, six cars behind JFK’s limo, said he “very definitely smelled gunpowder when the cars moved up to the corner” of Elm and Houston Streets.
Patrolman Billy Martin, riding just behind JFK’s limousine, said, “You could smell the gunpowder,” and that because of this he knew the gunman “wasn’t far away,” adding, “when you’re that close, you can smell the powder burning.”
DPD officer Joe Smith smelled gunpowder on/near the grassy knoll.
Journalist David Grant said that seconds after the motorcade sped from the plaza, “the area still reeked with the smell of gunpowder.”
Smith and Yarborough were war veterans, so they knew what gunpowder smelled like. Gunpowder has a very pungent, distinct odor.
The HSCA's acoustical scientists determined that the grassy knoll shot was fired from a location behind the knoll's picket fence that was near the area where several witnesses saw puffs of gun smoke on the knoll. Now that is one whopping, staggering coincidence, unless one is willing to believe that the HSCA acoustical experts rigged their analysis in order to place the grassy knoll shot in that location.
I discuss the gunpowder and gun smoke evidence at length in A Comforting Lie: The Myth That a Lone Gunman Killed President Kennedy (pp. 157-159).
-
Correct. There is no way that the gunpowder drifted/traveled from the alleged sniper's nest to the grassy knoll area. Plus, several witnesses saw gun smoke above the fence on the grassy knoll, and a puff of this smoke is seen on the Wiegman film.
The two explanations offered to explain the apparent gun smoke in the Wiegman film are (1) motorcycle exhaust fumes and (2) smoke from the steam pipe in the railyard behind the knoll. Neither arguments works. No motorcycle exhaust fumes are seen on any film of the assassination, and the steam pipe was a good 100 feet away from the area seen on the Wiegman film.
Let us consider the witnesses who smelled gunpowder on or near the knoll:
Senator Ralph Yarborough rode in the second car behind the presidential limousine. He smelled gunpowder while on the street and said it clung to the car throughout the frantic drive to Parkland Hospital.
Elizabeth Cabell, the wife of Dallas mayor Earle Cabell, was in the fourth car behind JFK’s limousine. She said she “was acutely aware of the odor of gunpowder.” She added that Congressman Ray Roberts, seated next to her, mentioned that he smelled gunpowder.
Press photographer Tom C. Dillard, six cars behind JFK’s limo, said he “very definitely smelled gunpowder when the cars moved up to the corner” of Elm and Houston Streets.
Patrolman Billy Martin, riding just behind JFK’s limousine, said, “You could smell the gunpowder,” and that because of this he knew the gunman “wasn’t far away,” adding, “when you’re that close, you can smell the powder burning.”
DPD officer Joe Smith smelled gunpowder on/near the grassy knoll.
Journalist David Grant said that seconds after the motorcade sped from the plaza, “the area still reeked with the smell of gunpowder.”
Smith and Yarborough were war veterans, so they knew what gunpowder smelled like. Gunpowder has a very pungent, distinct odor.
The HSCA's acoustical scientists determined that the grassy knoll shot was fired from a location behind the knoll's picket fence that was near the area where several witnesses saw puffs of gun smoke on the knoll. Now that is one whopping, staggering coincidence, unless one is willing to believe that the HSCA acoustical experts rigged their analysis in order to place the grassy knoll shot in that location.
I discuss the gunpowder and gun smoke evidence at length in A Comforting Lie: The Myth That a Lone Gunman Killed President Kennedy (pp. 157-159).
So you believe the gunpowder residue could be smelled all the way to Parkland but the residue could not have drifted down onto Elm St. from the sniper's nest.
Strange.
-
So you believe the gunpowder residue could be smelled all the way to Parkland but the residue could not have drifted down onto Elm St. from the sniper's nest. Strange.
No, it is not strange at all that gunpowder residue sticks to objects and can be smelled for quite some time on those objects. Ask anyone who has any experience with guns. When I fired at Army rifle ranges during my 21-year Army career, my hands and sleeves would end up smelling like gunpowder, which is why I always washed my hands and laundered my BDU uniform shirts after firing.
Several of the gunpowder witnesses smelled the pungent scent of gunpowder just seconds after the shots rang out. There is no way on this planet that gunpowder could have "drifted" that quickly to the knoll area from 60 feet up and from at least 180 feet away. In addition, the wind was blowing from the south, toward the TSBD, not toward the knoll.
BTW, it is interesting that not one of the many police officers who were on the TSBD's sixth floor after the shooting reported smelling gunpowder near the alleged Oswald window or anywhere else on the floor.
-
No, it is not strange at all that gunpowder residue sticks to objects and can be smelled for quite some time on those objects. Ask anyone who has any experience with guns. When I fired at Army rifle ranges during my 21-year Army career, my hands and sleeves would end up smelling like gunpowder, which is why I always washed my hands and laundered my BDU uniform shirts after firing.
Several of the gunpowder witnesses smelled the pungent scent of gunpowder just seconds after the shots rang out. There is no way on this planet that gunpowder could have "drifted" that quickly to the knoll area from 60 feet up and from at least 180 feet away. In addition, the wind was blowing from the south, toward the TSBD, not toward the knoll.
BTW, it is interesting that not one of the many police officers who were on the TSBD's sixth floor after the shooting reported smelling gunpowder near the alleged Oswald window or anywhere else on the floor.
Not hard to understand at all. The muzzle of the rifle was sticking out of the window and the residue would have been discharged away from the window.
We have several witnesses who saw a gunman firing from the sniper's nest window and three spent shells were found that that were positively matched to the same rifle that was also positively matched to the only two recovered bullets. There are no eyewitnesses, forensic evidence, or medical evidence of a gunshot fired from any other location. The consensus of the witnesses that there were 3 shots corresponds to the number for spent shells found at the window.