Michigan Uniform?

[major bill]

This is claimed to be a Michigan Civil War uniforms but I have my doubts. If it is a Michigan uniform, then it has to be a militia uniform. Is there any details that can help me decide? Perhaps the cap has some details that could help me place this uniform.

 

[Legion Para]

He is equipped with British accoutrements and there are things about his uniform which strongly points to his being British.

 

[major bill]

I thought there was a British look as well. With Canada bordering Michigan I was wondering if it could be Canadian, which of course would be British. I have not found any Detroit area or other Michigan pre war militia that were known to wear British style uniforms. Before the Civil War the Michigan Uniforms Militia was required to wear uniforms based on U.S. Army uniforms but independent militia companies were not obligated to meet these uniform requirements. These independent militia companies wore what ever they pleased.

I am working on Michiagn militia uniforms and have filed this images in my doubtful files and so have not spent to much time researching this photo.

 

[Package4]

I agree, two band Enfield P56 short rifle with Enfield accouterments

 

[major bill]

The cap appears to be British or at least an American version of the British cap.

 

[Package4]

The cap did throw me as it appears to look like a M1872 Shako. I do not study British uniforms, only weapons and accouterments as they would pertain to the ACW.

 

[Legion Para]

Definitely a British soldier.

I took the liberty of posting this photograph on one of the other forums I frequent and here is some of the feedback.

--A Rifle Volunteer. His large maltese cross shako plate which does not appear to have a crown is distinctive. Of course there may have been more than one unit with that style of badge.

--He appears to be wearing the Rifle Volunteer Corps 'proficiency' badge on his lower left sleeve, as well as the lions head boss, whistle and chain on his cross belt.

--If the photo was taken at or near Manchester then I would say he is a member of the 6th Lancashire (1st Manchester) Rifle Volunteer Corps circa 1860.

 

[DixieRifles]

The Maltese Cross on the cap was used by British to indicate rifle regiments. I'm sure other countries used this symbol for their insignia.
There were also other British regiments that used a version of this Maltese Cross but they usually had a King's/Queen's Crown on top.
Here is the version of the cap badge worn by the 14 Dragoons in the 1830's.

 

[major bill]

Another Michigan soldier in the Civil War. Although this is a very poor copy sent to me, I am of the opinion that this is a British uniforms. Said to be William Urch taken in 1865.

 

[Legion Para]

Another Michigan soldier in the Civil War. Although this is a very poor copy sent to me, I am of the opinion that this is a British uniforms. Said to be William Urch taken in 1865.

View attachment 98222

Could these soldiers be Canadians who had seen prior service in Her Majesty's Forces before immigrating to Michigan?

 

[major bill]

That is what I am thinking. Urch was 35 when he joined in 1865 and he could well have been in the Canadian or British Army. There was a pre war militia company in Detroit that wore red coats with black pants. No photo exists of this militia company and there is a small chance that they wore British uniforms based on fact they wore red coats and black pants.