History Detectives: John Brown Pike; Siberian Bullet; Ronald McDonald Costume

America's top gumshoes are back to prove once again that an object found in an attic or backyard might be anything but ordinary.

Wesley Cowan, independent appraiser and auctioneer; Gwendolyn Wright, historian and professor of architecture, Columbia University; Elyse Luray, independent appraiser and expert in art history; Dr. Eduardo Pagán, professor of history and American studies at Arizona State University; and Tukufu Zuberi, professor of sociology and the director of the Center for Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, leave no stone unturned as they travel around the country to explore the stories behind local folklore, prominent figures and family legends.

"John Brown Pike" - Our contributor bought a spear, or pike, from an antique shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He knows abolitionist John Brown lived near Chagrin Falls and wonders if rebels used this blade in John Brown’s famous raid at Harpers Ferry, VA.

In October 16, 1859, John Brown and 18 men attacked the federal armory in Harpers Ferry. Brown wanted to secure weapons for a future slave rebellion. Instead, thirteen raiders were killed; John Brown was captured and hanged.

To find out whether rebels used this pike in that raid, "History Detectives" follows the trail to the blacksmith who forged the weapon over 150 years ago, and walks the ground at Harpers Ferry where the battle took place.

"Siberian Bullet" - Rummaging through a box of shells and bullets at a Colorado gun show, a "History Detectives" fan discovered a World War I vintage cartridge with a curious etching: Leo V. Thompson, CO E 31st Inf., A.E.F. Siberia. The wording makes him wonder if American troops were in Siberia, Russia during WWI. Inside the casing we find a small blade that looks like a letter opener. Nearly 40 years after he paid one dollar for the bullet, our contributor still wonders about Leo V. Thompson.

"Ronald McDonald Costume" - Have we found the original costume that launched Ronald McDonald? The label credits a well-known costume designer, and the costume looks similar to the suit we see in an early Ronald McDonald commercial: the yellow balloon coverall, red and white striped shirt and long stockings, and red oversized shoes.

But there are also some curious differences. "History Detectives" consults with a food and social historian, meets McDonald’s first chief marketing officer, and finally speaks with the widow of one of the first Ronald McDonald clowns.

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