Saw This Photograph

[on again]

Although Unknown,,at a guess Brothers?

[Two unidentified soldiers in non-regulation Confederate uniforms with single shot pistol and Colt Army Model 1860 revolver]

1 photograph : half-plate ambrotype, hand-colored ; 15.3 x 12.1 cm (case)

www.loc.gov

 

[Old Soldier]

Looks like an early 'We are heroes' photo. The fact it is 'non-regulation uniform' suggests they have not been issued the 'standard' uniform. No headdress and no equipment at all. Here is my usual 'tidy up:

It definitely is an Ambrotype, as there is a long crack across it (mirror-image, on glass). It was VERY spotted too and was peeling in several places. While working on it, at a much higher resolution, I doubt if it is a uniform at all with the exception of the left-hand man's jacket, but even then ... The cut and 'lay' of the material does not look like it. Bear in mind that this was a well-tinted photo too, which covers some detail of these usually sharp images.

The old question about 'studio props' is also raised, looking at the pistols produced, although these MAY be personal purchase. The Colt Army 1860 is a questionable one as how many in the Confederate army were issued one or could buy one? Or was this taken AFTER the war - the old soldier on the left?

The pose is also 'unusual, as they are holding the pistols in their right hand. Since the photographer knows it is a mirror image, he usually gets them to swap hands and rearranges any equipment to make it look right.

 

[G Low]

I have this photo top left is George Carter Burch. I believe they are brothers. Don't know the others.Can anyone tell anything about their uniforms?

 

[JOHN42768]

I'd Like to imagine cousins with fathers seated in front

 

[Old Soldier]

I have this photo top left is George Carter Burch. I believe they are brothers. Don't know the others.Can anyone tell anything about their uniforms?

View attachment 524483

Are they uniforms?

 

[G Low]

Are they uniforms?

Don't know always heard they were confederate soldiers from Augusta Ga.

 

[Mike Serpa]

Don't know always heard they were confederate soldiers from Augusta Ga.

This one?

Birch, Burch family in Great Britain and America v.2.

 

[farrargirl]

Don't know always heard they were confederate soldiers from Augusta Ga.

Found in Find A Grave, and newspapers. com
Pension states: Company A, Augusta Battalion ( on FAG )

George Carter Burch (1839-1932) - Find a Grave...

Find a Grave memorial for George Carter Burch born Jan 1839 and died 26 Jul 1932. Buried at Burch Cemetery, Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia, United States of America, North America

www.findagrave.com

 

[G Low]

Yes this is him, one of my uncles, he got a pension for being blind.

 

[DixieRifles]

The pose is also 'unusual, as they are holding the pistols in their right hand. Since the photographer knows it is a mirror image, he usually gets them to swap hands and rearranges any equipment to make it look right

I've never heard about rearranging things to reverse it back.
However, notice the single shot pistol has the hammer on the correct side for a Right-handed gun— left-handed pistols are rare.

 

[Robert Gray]

Looks like an early 'We are heroes' photo. The fact it is 'non-regulation uniform' suggests they have not been issued the 'standard' uniform. No headdress and no equipment at all. Here is my usual 'tidy up:
View attachment 524471
It definitely is an Ambrotype, as there is a long crack across it (mirror-image, on glass). It was VERY spotted too and was peeling in several places. While working on it, at a much higher resolution, I doubt if it is a uniform at all with the exception of the left-hand man's jacket, but even then ... The cut and 'lay' of the material does not look like it. Bear in mind that this was a well-tinted photo too, which covers some detail of these usually sharp images.

The old question about 'studio props' is also raised, looking at the pistols produced, although these MAY be personal purchase. The Colt Army 1860 is a questionable one as how many in the Confederate army were issued one or could buy one? Or was this taken AFTER the war - the old soldier on the left?

The pose is also 'unusual, as they are holding the pistols in their right hand. Since the photographer knows it is a mirror image, he usually gets them to swap hands and rearranges any equipment to make it look right.

If you check the arrangement of the buttons and the loading position on the Colt revolver you'll notice the image has not been reversed. The mirroring effect of the Ambrotype can be corrected by the addition of a second lens in the camera. It's an added expense that most photographers didn't bother with, but you do see it used occasionally.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Both men´s hands look quite weathered, and the face of the man with the Colt is weathered, even without the tinting. I think they´re used to being outside a lot.

 

[Old Soldier]

If you check the arrangement of the buttons and the loading position on the Colt revolver you'll notice the image has not been reversed. The mirroring effect of the Ambrotype can be corrected by the addition of a second lens in the camera. It's an added expense that most photographers didn't bother with, but you do see it used occasionally.

You will also see on the reversed photo on my comment that it shows the cap-loading facility on the right of the Colt Army 1860 - where it always was. I flipped the original which was not shown. It can be seen on the link in the opening comment but I will show it here:

My 'usual tidy up' involves flipping the mirror image, often increasing the brightness and contrast and removing much - but not all - of the 'noise' = deterioration of the original emulsion. The usual test for Ambro-type or tintype is the fastening of coat or vest - left over right for men. the absence of the lock on a rifle or mirror image letters or number badges.

 

[Old Soldier]

I've never heard about rearranging things to reverse it back.
However, notice the single shot pistol has the hammer on the correct side for a Right-handed gun— left-handed pistols are rare.

Here is a classic:

1863 6th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia

it looks as though it is a straight photo, cartridge pouch on the right, bayonet on the left (It is a P53 bayonet and vertical on the belt - the 6th Mass. Regt were one of the two Union regiments issued the Enfield P53). The right foot is back as per At Ease and the rifle held to the left. Then look at the rifle. Which side is the lock on?

 

[G Low]

This one?

View attachment 524846

Birch, Burch family in Great Britain and America v.2.

Mike, Look up his brother Joseph Edward Burch 1835 to 1919 ,

Here is a classic:
View attachment 5252521863 6th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia

it looks as though it is a straight photo, cartridge pouch on the right, bayonet on the left (It is a P53 bayonet and vertical on the belt - the 6th Mass. Regt were one of the two Union regiments issued the Enfield P53). The right foot is back as per Stand Easy and the rifle held to the left. Then look at the rifle. Which side is the lock on?

old soldier, do you know of any soldiers from Massachusetts with the name Hack . Possibly from the Taunton Mass.

 

[Old Soldier]

Mike, Look up his brother Joseph Edward Burch 1835 to 1919 ,

old soldier, do you know of any soldiers from Massachusetts with the name Hack . Possibly from the Taunton Mass.

Not a clue, bonny lad - I am on the other side of The Pond.

 

[captaindrew]

Here is a classic:
View attachment 5252521863 6th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia

it looks as though it is a straight photo, cartridge pouch on the right, bayonet on the left (It is a P53 bayonet and vertical on the belt - the 6th Mass. Regt were one of the two Union regiments issued the Enfield P53). The right foot is back as per At Ease and the rifle held to the left. Then look at the rifle. Which side is the lock on?

The locks are on the wrong side of the gun as if they were left handers, they are at "Parade Rest" the lockplates should be facing in.

 

[Old Soldier]

The locks are on the wrong side of the gun as if they were left handers, they are at "Parade Rest" the lockplates should be facing in.

IOW - a mirror image. There were no left-handed shooters in those days.

 

[captaindrew]

IOW - a mirror image. There were no left-handed shooters in those days.

I know that, they must've reversed everything else in the pose to look right though, it's interesting to catch that.

 

[Old Soldier]

I know that, they must've reversed everything else in the pose to look right though, it's interesting to catch that.

That is the main problem with the direct positive print - ambro- and tin-type. They were far cheaper than the negative/print photos, easier to process and were popular for these portraits. Any photo in those brass/gilt frames is likely to be one. Being smaller, they often do not show any great detail like the large plate prints and, because they are direct prints, suffer from emulsion deterioration - discoloring, cracking, flaking and chipping being in direct contact with the environment. Most glass plate negatives were stored away and although still deteriorate, especially at the edges, survive much better.