Corporal with Lorenz Musket

[John Hartwell]

Cdv from a Cincinnati photographer. Unidentified corporal in frock coat, standing next to an Austrian Lorenz musket (his? or photographer's prop?) In pencil on the back is "Plainwell, Michigan."

With permission from Ron Coddington.

 

[James N.]

Cdv from a Cincinnati photographer. Unidentified corporal in frock coat, standing next to an Austrian Lorenz musket (his? or photographer's prop?) In pencil on the back is "Plainwell, Michigan.".

In cases where the so-called props are current-issue items I'm reluctant to think they belonged to the photographer - U.S. M.1795 or M.1816 conversions are a different matter, but this was a current and then-up-to-date import used by many units both North and South. It may not have been HIS (since he's not wearing any accouterments), but whoever the owner was is probably nearby.

 

[John Hartwell]

But, weren't the Federal Lorenz muskets phased out fairly early? Photographer might have obtained a "discarded" one.
If it was his (early war), might that be some clue as to his regiment?

The lack of accouterments make me wonder if this wasn't a "new-minted" soldier, who had not yet been issued his full trappings.

jno

 

[johan_steele]

But, weren't the Federal Lorenz muskets phased out fairly early? Photographer might have obtained a "discarded" one.
If it was his (early war), might that be some clue as to his regiment?

The lack of accouterments make me wonder if this wasn't a "new-minted" soldier, who had not yet been issued his full trappings.

jno

The Lorenz would serve through the end of the war. As m1861 series arms became available Lorenza's would be passed on to new or rear echelon units to replace older arms. They were at Gettysburg in 63 & Atlanta in 64.

 

[kholland]

The lack of accouterments make me wonder if this wasn't a "new-minted" soldier, who had not yet been issued his full trappings.

jno

His uniform does seem to be clean and completely devoid of anything except for his corporal stripes.

 

[Banjo Pete]

The good corporal appears to be very tall. Have no idea how the Lorenz rates length-wise compared to the M1861 Springfield but if the dimensions are anything close, this was one big dude

I'm 6'0 and my '61 comes closer to my shoulder area by far than this gent's firearm does to his.

 

[Daniel Webb]

I could never resist a good mystery, especially when it involves my home state, but it looks as though my Sherlock Holmes deerstalker cap is busted.

I thought he might be a Michigan sharpshooter as many of the men carried their own rifles into battle and the Lorenz rifle was popular with some of them. It was a long-shot, but I checked the roster for Brady's/Dygert's Independent Company of Sharpshooters and couldn't find anyone from Plainwell, Michigan, though there were a few men whose home towns weren't listed. All my other resources dried up rather quickly.

I'll pass this photo on to my commander and see if he happens to recognize it.