Uniforms Early War Ambrotype Question

[CyleKostello]

Hi all,

Recently picked up this 9th plate ambrotype. Was wondering if anyone here can ID him as North or South or maybe even a state. I posted him in the Civil War Faces group to a mixed verdict so I would love to get some more opinions!

Being an ambrotype this is definitely early war, could even be pre-war.

He sports a m1858 forage cap and what, at first glance, looks like the standard m1858 frock. But there's some significant differences. The collar button, cloth shoulder loops/buttons, and dark cuff trim all deviate from Federal regs. Also worth noting his trousers are the same shade as his jacket. It loos like there might be some trim on his collar as well but I can't say for certain. But there's no trim on his trousers. The 9 center buttons are all eagles but that alone isn't enough for me to make a determination. I know early war Va., made use of the single collar button, but I'm sure other states north and south did as well.

Looking forward to your informed opinions!

 

[Gandycreek]

Looks like a Yankee Frock coat with Eagle buttons to me. Rebs usually don't use that many buttons either. JMHO

 

[CyleKostello]

Looks like a Yankee Frock coat with Eagle buttons to me. Rebs usually don't use that many buttons either. JMHO

It's definitely close to an 1858 frock but there's some major differences (collar trim, cuffs, shoulder loops and buttons)

As for the buttons, you'd be surprised. Early in the war many southern states had jackets that were just as elaborate as those up north. To illustrate that I've attached a selection of photos of rebs in 9 button jackets with the single row of collar buttons.

Here's a selection of rebs with similar amounts of buttons
1) Early war Va. Cavalryman (this one has eagle buttons as well), 9 button frock with collar buttons (My collection)
2) Early war SC (Civil war faces Facebook group)
3) Va again (LoC)
4) Georgia Colonel, probably early war (Forum member GilbertSorrel)
5) Another Virginian (LoC).

And these are just the single breasted coats! Plenty of early war southern units had even more elaborate jackets, double and triple breasted.

Not saying my fellow's a reb of course. But overall it was decently common to see rebs with quite a few buttons early on.

 

[major bill]

Probably a militia frock coat. It can not be certain if it is from Northern or Southern state.

 

[CyleKostello]

Probably a militia frock coat. It can not be certain if it is from Northern or Southern state.

About what I figured. Here's hoping a member recognizes the jacket.

 

[Gandycreek]

About what I figured. Here's hoping a member recognizes the jacket.

I agree with the militia frock. I should have stated that in my earlier post.

 

[Old Soldier]

The color of pants and coat and cap are the same either grey or light blue - or both. This would suggest either militia or Confederate. The cuffs have a darker edging which is probably NOT red which appears darker on these early photos and not yellow/gold, which appears quite light.

 

[CowCavalry]

Unusual photo, one of the rare ones of the period where the subject is smiling.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I´m gonna say that´s a Federal in a frock coat - it has epaullette (sp?) studs on the shoulders, too. I´d love to know what colors you all think that scarf was.

 

[CyleKostello]

I´m gonna say that´s a Federal in a frock coat - it has epaullette (sp?) studs on the shoulders, too. I´d love to know what colors you all think that scarf was.

Do you have a state in mind? Because it's definitely not a regulation frock.

As for the scarf. Near impossible to say. Take a look at this photo. The way collodion images represent color makes it difficult to differentiate. Indeed it's difficult to say, with confidence, what color his jacket even is.

 

[Robert Gray]

This also helps with the colors.

 

[Package4]

Hi all,

Recently picked up this 9th plate ambrotype. Was wondering if anyone here can ID him as North or South or maybe even a state. I posted him in the Civil War Faces group to a mixed verdict so I would love to get some more opinions!

Being an ambrotype this is definitely early war, could even be pre-war.

He sports a m1858 forage cap and what, at first glance, looks like the standard m1858 frock. But there's some significant differences. The collar button, cloth shoulder loops/buttons, and dark cuff trim all deviate from Federal regs. Also worth noting his trousers are the same shade as his jacket. It loos like there might be some trim on his collar as well but I can't say for certain. But there's no trim on his trousers. The 9 center buttons are all eagles but that alone isn't enough for me to make a determination. I know early war Va., made use of the single collar button, but I'm sure other states north and south did as well.

Looking forward to your informed opinions!

View attachment 484352

View attachment 484353

View attachment 484354

Sorry, late to the party, this is most likely a northern pre war militia frock based upon the M1851 pattern. I believe the photo taken at or soon before the start of the war.