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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. X - Page 222« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Adrian Thomas Alba)

Mr. Alba.
Not that my memory would--if my memory-would serve me correctly; no.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did he seem to have a fairly good knowledge of a rifle?
Mr. Alba.
He did of the military pieces, the M-1 and the Garand. He was asking questions about the Japanese rifle and the Springfield, the l 3-A, the A-3 Springfield, inquiring questions about those pieces, but he seemed to have a very thorough knowledge of the M-1 and the Garand.
Mr. Liebeler.
You just mentioned two different rifles, or three different rifles that he showed a real familiarity with?
Mr. Alba.
Two.
Mr. Liebeler.
This was the straight M-1 gas-operated rifle that has been used by the military services?
Mr. Alba.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
And the other was the Springfield?
Mr. Alba.
No, no; the other was the Garand M-1. The Garand M-1 and you have the M-l, carbine. Both are gas-operated.
Mr. Liebeler.
Those are the only two weapons that he show any particular or real familiarity with, is that correct?
Mr. Alba.
That is correct.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did he tell you how he became familiar with these?
Mr. Alba.
No; he didn't.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you ever give it any thought as to how he came familiar with these weapons?
Mr. Alba.
Yes; I did. I assumed that as through the Armed Forces training.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did he ever tell you anything about that?
Mr. Alba.
No; he hadn't, other than he had the service behind him.
Mr. Liebeler.
He didn't tell you what branch of the service he had been in?
Mr. Alba.
No; he didn't.
Mr. Liebeler.
The Japanese rifle that you said you had completely sporterized, can you tell us approximately how long that weapon would be when it is put together?
Mr. Alba.
Prior to sporterizing or after sporterizing?
Mr. Liebeler.
Both?
Mr. Alba.
I took approximately 4 to 4 1/2 inches off of the barrel, and I think it was left with a 22 1/2-inch barrel, and it had approximately a 2 or a inch barrel to start off with.
Mr. Liebeler.
When you fasten the barrel to the stock, can you tell us proximately how long that rifle would be?
Mr. Alba.
I can take a guess--I never really measured it, or any of my pieces, for that matter, but I would say approximately 55 inches.
Mr. Liebeler.
Can these rifles be readily broken down, taking the stock and removing it from the barrel?
Mr. Alba.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
How long would the stock be separate from the barrel in this Japanese rifle?
Mr. Alba.
From the butt of the stock the extreme end of the forearm would be approximately 20 inches, I imagine, or about 2 feet.
Mr. Liebeler.
When you say that the barrel was 22 inches long, do you mean that the entire length of the action and the barrel?
Mr. Alba.
The barrel only, from the breech to the muzzle.
Mr. Liebeler.
About how long is the action?
Mr. Alba.
About 6 inches, 5 or 6 inches. You are asking me questions now that I have never pursued. before for my own information and satisfaction. These are only approximate guesses.
Mr. Liebeler.
So the effect of sporterizing a rifle generally is to shorten overall length of the rifle, is that not right, by removing a portion of the barrel itself?
Mr. Alba.
That is correct, and the weight.
Mr. Liebeler.
In addition to shortening the overall length of the rifle, also when you sporterize a rifle you shorten the stock itself so that when you break the rifle down into two pieces, the action and the barrel is one piece, and the
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