Big Buttons...?

[Private Watkins]

Wondering if anyone has seen a similar coat with such large buttons, and if so what State or Unit affiliated with? This is a beautiful sixth plate ambrotype, with wonderful background tinted hues, marvelous beard and hair, and a cock-eyed gaze from what is probably a glass eye. The coat seems to be of military cut, but I'm really not entirely sure if he's even a soldier; I've never seen buttons like that. I realize with the Rebs anything could go, and a homespun jacket with homemade buttons would not have been out of the question... just looking for any thoughts, insights or comments. Regardless whether military or not, this is one of my favorite images just because of that face and hair... Thanks in advance!

 

[Northern Light]

Those buttons look like they are covered with cloth, maybe made from an old bombazine or some such heavy material, maybe even fine wool. They would have been sewn on with a shank rather than button holes. I have made buttons like these back in the days when I used to sew.
Poor guy, and they commented on how one of Grant's eyes was lower than the other!

 

[101combatvet]

Yes, my first thought was that they are covered buttons. I have seen a few rare Confederate overcoats that had large buttons, so it might be an overcoat. The other possibility is a frock coat. Do you own this image? I think it has a good possibility of being Confederate, but you can never be 100% sure since nothing else stands out to label him as such.

 

[Private Watkins]

Yes, my first thought was that they are covered buttons. I have seen a few rare Confederate overcoats that had large buttons, so it might be an overcoat. The other possibility is a frock coat. Do you own this image? I think it has a good possibility of being Confederate, but you can never be 100% sure since nothing else stands out to label him as such.

Yes, I acquired this image several months ago, but have no info on provenance or background. This is one of those images that looks much better in hand than it even does in the scan. I have not been able to discover any markings or other distinguishing traits on the frame or back, etc., but I'm not an expert and may not know what I should be looking for. I've also examined the buttons under a magnifying glass, and while on one button it seems there might be a "Block I" (4th button down), I think it's just an anomoly, and agree with both of you that the buttons appear to be covered with cloth.

 

[101combatvet]

Is it a cased image?

 

[James B White]

I've also examined the buttons under a magnifying glass, and while on one button it seems there might be a "Block I" (4th button down), I think it's just an anomoly, and agree with both of you that the buttons appear to be covered with cloth.

Could it be metal shank buttons covered with cloth, but some of the embossing still showing through the tight cloth? Wasn't there a thing about Confederate military buttons needing covered or removed postwar? If the buttons were enlarged significantly by the thickness of their coverings, the buttonholes might need expanded. Do the holes look reworked on their left edges, under magnification? Just a random thought.

 

[28thNewYork]

A few comments--no conclusions: The background is not a "patriotic" one, but rather an "idyllic" one. The image-right edges of the buttons overlap the edge of the fabric and the image-left ends of the buttonholes are far to the left of the image-left edge of the buttons. Taken together, this may mean that the large buttons are replacements for earlier buttons of smaller diameter, using the same attachment points (it would have been easier to line them up up and down on the jacket). The reflection in the image-right eye seems to indicate it is a prosthesis. Examine the area to the image-right of that eye under magnification and see if portions of the eye-surround and cheek may also be part of the same prosthesis (the cheeks on both sides of the face are "darker" [rouged?] than the rest of the face).

Very interesting image, and one which I have not found to appear anywhere else.

 

[Private Watkins]

Is it a cased image?

Yes, it is housed in a full leatherette case.

 

[101combatvet]

Yes, it is housed in a full leatherette case.

If you haven't already look behind the pillow and the image for an inscription.

 

[Private Watkins]

A few comments--no conclusions: The background is not a "patriotic" one, but rather an "idyllic" one. The image-right edges of the buttons overlap the edge of the fabric and the image-left ends of the buttonholes are far to the left of the image-left edge of the buttons. Taken together, this may mean that the large buttons are replacements for earlier buttons of smaller diameter, using the same attachment points (it would have been easier to line them up up and down on the jacket). The reflection in the image-right eye seems to indicate it is a prosthesis. Examine the area to the image-right of that eye under magnification and see if portions of the eye-surround and cheek may also be part of the same prosthesis (the cheeks on both sides of the face are "darker" [rouged?] than the rest of the face).

Very interesting image, and one which I have not found to appear anywhere else.

Thank you, very much appreciate the observations. Most images I've seen that have some type of patriotic background have been Union; whereas Confederate images tend to be blank wall or studio chair/table, and sometimes nature scenes. I had wondered also if this might be a post-bellum button cover-up, but the size of the button holes seems commiserate with the size of the buttons, as if made for those buttons. It's certainly possible however that the button holes were enlarged at the time buttons were replaced, if that's what happened.
I guess this might be one of those unsolved mysteries... absent finding an ID'd soldier with same or similar coat (I will keep looking), not sure we'll know for sure what the story is here...
Thanks again!

 

[Private Watkins]

If you haven't already look behind the pillow and the image for an inscription.

I found nothing when I first got the image, but might try it again. I'm always a little reluctant to tinker with these hard images too much, I fear I might mess something up...! = /

 

[101combatvet]

I found nothing when I first got the image, but might try it again. I'm always a little reluctant to tinker with these hard images too much, I fear I might mess something up...! = /

Be extremely careful and take your time. You'll need a very thin flat piece of metal or plastic to pry it with.

 

[101combatvet]

http://www.oldsouthantiques.com/os3166p1.htm

 

[Private Watkins]

http://www.oldsouthantiques.com/os3166p1.htm

Very interesting and close but perhaps not exact match... thank you!!

 

[Northern Light]

A few comments--no conclusions: The background is not a "patriotic" one, but rather an "idyllic" one. The image-right edges of the buttons overlap the edge of the fabric and the image-left ends of the buttonholes are far to the left of the image-left edge of the buttons. Taken together, this may mean that the large buttons are replacements for earlier buttons of smaller diameter, using the same attachment points (it would have been easier to line them up up and down on the jacket). The reflection in the image-right eye seems to indicate it is a prosthesis. Examine the area to the image-right of that eye under magnification and see if portions of the eye-surround and cheek may also be part of the same prosthesis (the cheeks on both sides of the face are "darker" [rouged?] than the rest of the face).

Very interesting image, and one which I have not found to appear anywhere else.

When you magnify the image, you can definitely see a large scar from the eye down the cheek, so perhaps some type of surgery was done to reconstruct damage. I do not know if any kind of surgery of that type was done in the war. But it looks like maybe some of the bone around the orbit is gone, and that is why the eye is so much lower.

 

[Private Watkins]

When you magnify the image, you can definitely see a large scar from the eye down the cheek, so perhaps some type of surgery was done to reconstruct damage. I do not know if any kind of surgery of that type was done in the war. But it looks like maybe some of the bone around the orbit is gone, and that is why the eye is so much lower.

Yes, that's right!! I've never noticed that before but see it now. And what's more, although hard to see in the scan, under magnifying glass it looks like there is another scar starting in the outer corner of that same eye which goes down and connects with the other scar... definitely some type of surgery done there.

 

[101combatvet]

But even with surgery do you really think his eye socket could be lowered?

 

[Northern Light]

I think maybe the socket was shattered or broken and had to be removed and so there is no cheekbone on the one side. so the socket is lower as it has nothing on which to rest . i am not a medical doctor, but that is my guess.

 

[28thNewYork]

Rather than post on the thread, I'd suggest a browser search for "Civil War Facial Prosthetics" images. Having reviewed a number of images, it is clear that this photo could very well be one of an individual who has had a facial reconstruction using a prosthesis.

 

[Northern Light]

Good plan, 28th. this is what I found.
http://artificialeyeclinic.com/aecpdfs/civilwar.pdf

Warning: VERY GRAPHIC.