Tin type in patriotic case, piped jacket

[Ethan S.]

I got a new tintype yesterday, no ID, but a nice image and killer case none the less. He's wearing a cool looking jacket, and a lighter colored cap (maybe the cap is light colored due to image quality). The jacket is piped, and almost looks like a New York State jacket, but to be honest, I haven't a clue. He also is wearing a knit sweater underneath the jacket as well. Really cool patriotic matte, amazing case, all around, I'm happy with it.

 

[RedRover]

Very nice.

He appears to be wearing the United States infantry or artillery uniform coat of the US Army (light blue or red trim). You can see the skirts and waist seam a bit of the coat:

Perhaps an earlier war photograph. His trousers appear to be dark blue like his coat, per the 1858 regulations. Sky blue trousers were adopted as U.S. standard in December, 1861 etc.

Here's some New York State jackets for comparison. Generally those jackets were fitted with shoulder straps.

Here's an image corrected (flipped) version of your new image:

 

[Ethan S.]

Very nice.

He appears to be wearing the United States infantry or artillery uniform coat of the US Army (light blue or red trim). You can see the skirts and waist seam a bit of the coat:

View attachment 525531


View attachment 525532


Perhaps an earlier war photograph. His trousers appear to be dark blue like his coat, per the 1858 regulations. Sky blue trousers were adopted as U.S. standard in December, 1861 etc.

View attachment 525535

Here's some New York State jackets for comparison. Generally those jackets were fitted with shoulder straps.

View attachment 525533


Here's an image corrected (flipped) version of your new image:

View attachment 525534

Very cool! I appreciate the info, I'm a newbie when it comes to uniforms.

 

[Ethan S.]

Are those numerals on his hat?

 

[RedRover]

View attachment 525537


Are those numerals on his hat?

It was not uncommon to wear regimental numeral or company letters on the forage cap. But It looks plain to me, like some of the image flaws might happen to be in the center of crown perhaps.

And above the visor is a patent leather chin strap with brass slide.

Usually pretty obvious when they have the insignias mounted on them...

 

[Old Soldier]

In these 'mirror image' photos (directon to emulsion) any reversed insignia, buckles or badges were often 'guilded' or painted over to hide the reversal, so the absence or illegibility of any cap insignia is relatively 'normal'.

The darker color of the cuff may mean it is more likely to be red which, at this time, did not have much effect on the emulsion, appearing black or dark grey, the brighter the red, the darker. As redRover suggests, if it is an early photo of a reservist or militiaman, it MAY be a version of the 1851 uniform which had the cuff in facing color. There is no easily visible stripe on the leg which MAY indicate a red stripe.

Washington Artillery