Help identifying photo

[J.Riddick]

I recently inherited a old photo and I'm looking for clues about its origin. It's Civil War-like, but the men have more of a weekend-warrior look than the haggard 'fight for your life' look of most Civil War warriors. I don't recognize the uniforms either. I'm thinking it may be a staged photography scene c.1880s, but I don't recognize anyone in the photo as being from his family. Does anyone see any clues?

 

[Taylin]

Post 1880's the helmet worn by the far left and center right men, who are probably officers, is the Model 1881 US Army Dress Helmet. Whether or not they are National Guard or US infantry I can't say. Not familiar with guns usually, but the guns are probably Springfield model 1873 breech loading rifles. Likely during the Indian Wars era around that time - possibly Span-Am

 

[major bill]

There are no commissioned officers in the image. The men in the frock coats are wearing enlisted frock coats not officer frock coats. The 1880s would be the best guess.

 

[major bill]

One of the clues is that the infantry frock coats appear to have white collars as opposed to the Saxon blue collars worn by infantry in the 1870s. Do not be confused with the seated man's forage cap. The Army had went to the 1895 forage cap by the Spanish American War but buglers appear to have retained the older style forage caps. However the man on the right would have probably worn a 1889 campaign hat or 1895 fourage cap by the start of the Spanish Ameircan War.

 

[major bill]

Another thing to look at is the tailoring of the uniforms. In the 1880s-1890s the sack coat was usually tailored increasingly tighter. By the Spanish American War these men would probably be wearing tighter sack coats. Another clue is the tailoring of the trousers. These trousers are tailored more in the style of the mid to late 1880s. Most, but not all, enlisted men had their trousers tailor tighter than this at the lower thighs and knees and looser in the lower legs. This gave the trousers mid 1960s flair leg look (but not the huge bellbottoms of the late 1960s).

 

[J.Riddick]

Wow! an amazing amount of knowledge you guys have. I really thank you both for the information. That narrows down where to look on his family tree considerably. The father of the man who owned the photo was born 1863 in Iowa. One of those men might be him. If the uniforms started 1881, he would have been prime age for military service around 1883-85; it fits nicely. I compared the guns to the model you mention, and to my novice eye, they look very similar.

Sorry for being such a dunce as to post a late-era photo on a Civil War forum! But hopefully the history buffs here will still appreciate a scene of old Americana.

 

[Booner]

The rifles in the photo are trapdoor Springfields. It looks like they have the Buffington rear sights, which came out in the mid 1880's. So that would be the earliest date the picture would have been taken.

 

[J.Riddick]

Thanks for that extra information Booner. I'll plug it into the mix. Because of all the information provided, I believe I've identified one man in the picture as Riley Bedwell (2nd man from right). He is the ancestor of an inlaw of mine. I've posted this photo to a geneology site under a profile for Mr Bedwell - in hopes that some of his descendants can enjoy this view of their gramps. Really, thank you all so much!