1/6 Daguerrotype soldiers?

[mcarreiro]

Hello, I recently acquired 1/6 Daguerreotype and I was hoping I could get some opinions on what type of uniforms they are wearing. To me they look like military academy but wanted to get some opinions if they are military and the year this might have been taken.

 

[R. Porter]

My first guess would be for a band or orchestra; like a marching band or orchestra at the circus. Think Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band for example.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I think that´s postwar. The photo is pretty clear - lenses got sharper as the century progressed. Their hair also looks last quarter of the 19th century to me. I think they´re probably not military but civilian. A lot of clubs, groups and professions wore uniforms then that were pretty elabrate and photo worthy. I think if they were band musicians, though, there would be instruments and/or the name of the band or theater they played in displayed too. Actually, my first impression is they´re a group of conductors, like railway or trolly line employees.

 

[steamboater]

Not a daguerreotype! Dags were obsolete by 1860, having been replaced by collodion-coated glass plate (an ambrotype) later by a variant, collodion on dark varnished iron plate (the tintype). Due to the style of the brass mat and the brass frame, this is positively at least late 1860's, maybe 1870's. To verify it is a tintype, your image package has a protective glass cover plate.; take a strong magnet, lay it on the cover glass, then turn the cased image upside down. I'll bet the magnet holds, indicating the attraction to the iron of the plate.
I agree this is civilian, probably 1870's, and a band. No cigar for being a military image, but still a fun piece of history!

 

[connecticut yankee]

I agree with @steamboater in everything said with the exception of the date of this apparent tintype. Although the case my be anywhere from 1850 - 1870, I believe the photo to be later than the 1870s, most probably 1880- 1890. The image very well may not be original to the case. Nevertheless a nice sharp collectible image, enhanced by its great condition case Enjoy it.

 

[Salterr]

Hello, as everyone has mentioned it is a later photograph. Things to help identify a time period when no identifiable thing sticks out is the frogging on their coats and the uniform tailored look of the clothes which appear post civil war. Their hair and mustache style along with the white collars and sleeve cuffs are usually found closer to the turn of the century than civil war images. The two men in front have braiding on their coat sleeves which would normally signify an officer rank. What appears to be a light colored fabric band or maybe chinstrap from their caps would also be post war because during the 1860's and 1870's the chinstraps were leather. It is a great case and beautiful image, regardless of time period it's outstanding. I hope this helps narrow down what you are looking for.

 

[Gandycreek]

Not so sure it's even American. Might be European . Looks to be 1870s+.

 

[mcarreiro]

Very impressive feedback from everyone. Connecticut Yankee nailed it with the case not being original to the picture. I will hold onto it for now. Thank you all!