Need Help Identifying Uniform

[VMI88]

I recently picked up this ninth-plate ambrotype of a young soldier. The cut reminds me of a Confederate sack coat, but with a folding collar instead of the more commonly seen standing collar. The top button may be a flat coin button. The borders of the remaining buttons are irregular, suggesting they've been retouched by the photographer, obscuring any details. There appear to be two external pockets set almost back to the armpits, but it's possible it's just folds in the fabric. Given his young age, I wonder if he was wearing an oversized coat that made the pockets appear so widely set? The color is either blue or a darker gray.

Any thoughts on what this uniform might be?

 

[VMI88]

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[Lampasas Bill]

Well, it does seem to have too many buttons for a federal sack coat. Five buttons are showing but the lower one seems too high, indicating that there were probably more below it. I don't agree on the pockets, but just my opinion.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

First impressions as a non-expert. Is he wearing a jacket, rather than a coat? Is it fairly certain he is wearing military clothing?

 

[Mississippian1861]

My first impression is this is a civilian boy, nothing in this screams military to me.

 

[Trooper "D"]

I recently picked up this ninth-plate ambrotype of a young soldier. The cut reminds me of a Confederate sack coat, but with a folding collar instead of the more commonly seen standing collar. The top button may be a flat coin button. The borders of the remaining buttons are irregular, suggesting they've been retouched by the photographer, obscuring any details. There appear to be two external pockets set almost back to the armpits, but it's possible it's just folds in the fabric. Given his young age, I wonder if he was wearing an oversized coat that made the pockets appear so widely set? The color is either blue or a darker gray.

Any thoughts on what this uniform might be?

View attachment 572337

Those are pockets. The buttons are reflecting as per a metal buttons but who knows about uniform or not. It could be a uniform but I wouldn't bet the family mule on it.

 

[R. Porter]

The top button looks metallic but the lower ones look like the wooden one made in Richmond for the Confederate Army. The sleeve on the right looks puffy at the shoulder while the one on the left looks normal. Would this imply mass production like some sort of uniform or work coat? Would this be expected on something you bought at the store in town? Would a family member make a coat like this? If they did, would they do a better job attaching a sleeve? What else can be seen by removing the foil border or looking on the back?

 

[Rhea Cole]

This is a nice image of a Confederate soldier that could benefit from a professional cleaning. He looks so very young. Edited for clarity.

This is an example of a Confederate Type Three shell jacket circa 1865.

Like many veteran private soldiers, he has rolled the standing collar down for comfort.

The four hole Richmond Depot wooden buttons are consistent with a Type Three jacket. The collar button is a common metal type.

The Type Three shell jacket was a simplified design. The shoulder straps were deleted. The blue, red or yellow cuffs were also removed. The simple four hole Richmond Depot wooden buttons were not uncommon late in the war.

Useful Sources That You Will Want To Archive.

The Company of Military Historians, "Survey of Confederate Quartermaster Issue Jackets, Part One & Part Two, is a valuable source for identifying Confederate jackets. You will want to save these links. See more here.

Link:

CONFEDERATE ISSUE JACKETS PART 1

Link:

CONFEDERATE ISSUE JACKETS, PART 2

I am not aware of another a website quite like William Lee's 'Civil War Buttons.' There are 28 pages of individual button examples. See more here.

Link:

Civil War Buttons & Military Collectibles | Civil War Buttons

Online shop for authentic early American military relics and uniform buttons. Specializing in the Civil War and Revolutionary War eras.

www.civilwarbuttons.com

Missouri Boot & Shoe Store carries Richmond Depot four hole wooden buttons. See more here.

Link:

9 Button Set Of 4 Hole Richmond Depot Button

The most historically accurate reproduction Civil War era footwear and equipment on the market for over 35 years. All custom made items are the result of extensive research and historical documentation, faithfully recreating the original specimens.

www.missouribootandshoe.com

 

[Rhea Cole]

Image edited for clarity.

View attachment 572516
This is an example of a Confederate Type Three shell jacket.

View attachment 572517
Like many veteran private soldiers, he has rolled the standing collar down for comfort.

View attachment 572518
The buttons are four hole metal buttons. The collar button is a common metal type.

The Type Three shell jacket was a simplified design. The shoulder straps were deleted. The blue, red or yellow cuffs were also removed. The simple four hole metal buttons were not uncommon late in the war.

Useful Sources That You Will Want To Archive.

The Company of Military Historians, "Survey of Confederate Quartermaster Issue Jackets, Part One & Part Two, is a valuable source for identifying Confederate jackets. You will want to save these links. See more here.

Link:

CONFEDERATE ISSUE JACKETS PART 1

Link:

CONFEDERATE ISSUE JACKETS, PART 2

I am not aware of another a website quite like William Lee's 'Civil War Buttons.' There are 28 pages of individual button examples. See more here.

Link:

Civil War Buttons & Military Collectibles | Civil War Buttons

Online shop for authentic early American military relics and uniform buttons. Specializing in the Civil War and Revolutionary War eras.

www.civilwarbuttons.com

I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS POST HAS BEEN DUPLICATED. MODERATOR PLEASE REMOVE IT .

 

[VMI88]

Thanks to all, and especially @Rhea Cole, for the responses! I'm familiar with the Richmond jacket typologies - it just never occurred to me that the collar might be turned down. Is there anyone you could recommend for professionally cleaning the image?

 

[Rhea Cole]

Thanks to all, and especially @Rhea Cole, for the responses! I'm familiar with the Richmond jacket typologies - it just never occurred to me that the collar might be turned down. Is there anyone you could recommend for professionally cleaning the image?

I would suggest asking at a museum in your area. The emulsion is very delicate. A fingerprint will make an indelible mark. Photographic restoration is a very exacting craft so you are going to have to find a pro.

It is hot here in Tennessee, so it is very common for folks to turn down standing collars on shell jackets.