Killing Lincoln

Killing Lincoln is the 2013 docudrama produced for the National Geographic Channel based on Bill O'Reilly's 2011 book of the same name. It details the events surrounding the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln (Billy Campbell) on April 14, 1865 and the capture of John Wilkes Booth (Jesse Johnson). It was written and executive produced by Erik Jendresen (Band of Brothers) and dedicated to the memory of Tony Scott, who had been developing Killing Lincoln at the time of his death. Killing Lincoln surpassed Inside 9/11 to become National Geographic's highest-rated television airing. The film does an excellent job of representing the actual firearms used during the assassination and its aftermath.

The following weapons were used in the film Killing Lincoln:

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Killing Lincoln (2013)

Philadelphia Deringer

John Wilkes Booth (Jesse Johnson) famously used a single-shot .44-caliber Philadelphia Deringer to assassinate Abraham Lincoln in Ford's Theatre.

Philadelphia Derringer - .44 caliber. These percussion cap single shot pistols were manufactured between 1860-1869 by Slotter & Co to compete with Henry Deringer's pistols. (Note spelling. Deringer fought illegal copies of his pistols throughout his life, and the deliberate misspelling "Derringer" eventually caught on.)

Booth test fires his Philadelphia Deringer in a Washington basement on the night of April 10.

On the night of April 13, Booth lays out his Deringer, a Colt Navy for Atzerodt, and a Whitney revolver for Powell.

Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion

John Wilkes Booth (Jesse Johnson) hands a Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion to George Atzerodt (Mark Halpern) for his assassination of Vice President Johnson. Later, Booth himself carries a holstered Colt Navy revolver until his capture.

Colt 1851 Navy - .36 caliber.

On the night of April 13, Booth lays out his Deringer, a Colt Navy for Atzerodt, and a Whitney revolver for Powell.

Whitney Second Model Navy

Lewis Powell (Josh Murray) carries a Whitney navy revolver during his assault on the Seward home. In real life, Powell truly had carried a Whitney revolver that night and used it to whip Frederick Seward so ferociously that the revolver broke apart in his hand. Union Intelligence Service spymaster and D.C. Cavalry Colonel Lafayette C. Baker (Thomas K. Belgrey) also draws his own Whitney revolver to keep Booth's wanted poster in place. thumb|none|400px|Whitney Second Model Navy Revolver - .36 caliber.

On the night of April 13, Booth lays out his Deringer, a Colt Navy for Atzerodt, and a Whitney revolver for Powell.

Powell draws the Whitney revolver from his pocket.

Powell threatens Frederick Seward with his Whitney.

Baker places his Whitney revolver on top of Booth's poster to hold it in place.

Springfield 1861

All Union soldiers in the film, including Sgt. Silas T. Cobb (Robin Lord Taylor) - the sentry from the 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery that unwittingly let Booth and Herold cross into Maryland - carry Springfield 1861 rifles. The Union soldiers escorting Confederate prisoners from the Navy Yard have bayonets attached.

Springfield Model 1861 - .58 caliber Minié ball.

Union soldiers with bayonet-fitted Springfield rifles escort Confederate prisoners.

A Union soldier rides with his Springfield 1861.

Union Navy officers aboard the USS Montauk carry Springfield rifles.

Spencer 1860 Carbine

After the assassination, John Wilkes Booth (Jesse Johnson) and David Herold (Seamus Mulcahy) ride to Surratt's Tavern in northern Maryland to retrieve two Spencer 1860 Carbines from tavern keeper John Lloyd (Paul Stober). Due to Booth's injury, Herold only takes one and leaves the other with Lloyd. It is well-reported that Booth and Herold did really retrieve one of the two Spencer carbines they had stashed.

Spencer Model 1860 Carbine - 56-56 Spencer.

Booth grips his Spencer carbine as he hears Union troops nearby.

Booth waits for the troops to pass.