This recently came into my possession...

[Cdoug96]

A picture in a very old picture frame recently came into my possession, having been sent to me by a cousin who knows I will take care of it. The photo is that of my 3rd Great grandfather about 1863, but my real interest lies in the picture case itself, which looks like it either dates from the war itself or from shortly after it. My gut tells me that this is post-war but I really don't have experience in identifying artifacts from this time period so I was hoping someone could help me identify when it was made. I have a picture of it near some GAR relics for better size comparison.

 

[Cdoug96]

 

[Cdoug96]

 

[UCVRelics]

Its very hard to see with the shadows and fuz from the cell phone photo. It looks if it does have a backdrop and maybe even a flag flying but a better photo maybe out of the case as the glass looks dirty.

 

[Cdoug96]

Its very hard to see with the shadows and fuz from the cell phone photo. It looks if it does have a backdrop and maybe even a flag flying but a better photo maybe out of the case as the glass looks dirty.

I was asking about the case itself, not the photo. We have multiple copies of it.

 

[UCVRelics]

The case is original to the photo which is CW and from his post war GAR ribbons he was active in the GAR. What does the inside of the left hand side of the case look like.

 

[lelliott19]

The case is pretty unremarkable - its the kind most commonly provided to house tintype photographs before, during, and after the civil war. But the image is awesome! A very nice photograph of a very handsome soldier. Does someone in the family have the pinky ring he is wearing in the photo?

 

[treebie2000]

Looks like you only have half of the case.
I'm with @lelliott19, the picture itself is awesome. Incredible family relic to have in one's possession.
Very happy for you.

 

[UCVRelics]

Looks like you only have half of the case.
I'm with @lelliott19, the picture itself is awesome. Incredible family relic to have in one's possession.
Very happy for you.

Your correct it is only the 1 half of the case but it is original to the case and is an awesome image. What is his name?

 

[captaindrew]

You're so lucky to have such a great wartime image of your GGG Grandfather.

 

[Cdoug96]

Your correct it is only the 1 half of the case but it is original to the case and is an awesome image. What is his name?

Cpl. Albert Eugene Terwilliger. Does anyone know how to open the frame? I am hoping to find a date or makers mark inside. Would soldiers have carried a picture of themselves into battle for identification? I know they did it with dogtags from sutlers, and sometimes pictures of family.

 

[UCVRelics]

The photo was more than likley taken to send home to family. In order to get it out of the case take a small blunt point knife (butter knife will work) and slide it between the case and the brass frame and pry lightly then move around to all 4 sides and it should come out but take it slow and EZ. There may be a photographers name underneath.