Tintype - 3 Union Soldiers

[Funata2d]

I have a tintype, have had it for so long I don't know where it came from or if it came with a box of family photos. It appears to be (IMHO) three union soldiers, one of whom has a medal and another whose skin is a bit darker than the other two. The tintype is obviously not in great shape, but I don't want to try to restore it given that I don't have knowledge to do so without ruining it.

Thank you in advance for your help. I'm excited about what you can share.

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome from THE Heart Of Dixie. You are correct with be Union soldiers but the cross rifles make them post CW and into the Indian War period.

 

[Funata2d]

That is a cool piece of information. Dumb question -- Indian War period as in Plains Indians?

 

[major bill]

Yes post Civil War. They appear to be wearing model 1873 forage caps so after 1873. If we could make the medal on the standing man it would help.

 

[Funata2d]

I am amazed that you know this stuff. I've tried enhancing it but it loses detail. The guy standing in the back has bands or something on his sleeves. Love the info. thanks

 

[major bill]

There is a book, I forget the name, that has a couple thousand state medals. His medal kind of looks like it could be a state award. Problem being many state awards look fairly similar and comparing a blurry medal to a couple thousand takes time.

 

[Funata2d]

Amazing info. Thank you

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Could also be National Guard.

 

[major bill]

I am amazed that you know this stuff. I've tried enhancing it but it loses detail. The guy standing in the back has bands or something on his sleeves. Love the info. thanks

I am guessing service half chevrons on the lower sleeve. If I had to guess on the medal he wears I would guess National Guard. Can anyone tell if they are wearing different regiment numbers of the forage caps? The first regimental numbers above the crossed rifles were separate pieces, later these numbers were one piece and attached to the crossed rifles. As time went by, company letters and such were placed under the crossed rifles.

The above makes me think the image is from the mid 1870s to perhaps early 1880s. The letters appear to not be attached to the crossed rifles and the lack of other letters bellow the crossed rifles lead me to think mid to late 1870s, perhaps early 1880s if National Guard. The medal probably has a known years of issue if we can figure out what the blurry medal is. In that way we can know that the soldier could not wear the medal before a certain year.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

I'm terrible with uniforms, you experts might be able to see more here.

And welcome! Thanks for bringing along your tintype!

 

[Funata2d]

That looks great. Thanks

 

[Funata2d]

If this is State-related vs Indian Wars and IF this came in a box of family photos, this could be from southern Illinois, White County. That's a lot of if'n

 

[chubachus]

Look like post-Civil War soldiers to me. The crossed rifles on the kepi make it a certainty. Maybe someone here can tell what the medal the soldier in the rear is wearing.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

If this is State-related vs Indian Wars and IF this came in a box of family photos, this could be from southern Illinois, White County. That's a lot of if'n

Yes, but at least it's something to go on. That's one thing that makes it fun tracking down these old images, the ' you never know ' perspective.

 

[zburkett]

OK experts, when did the crossed rifles come in? Late Indian Wars?

 

[Funata2d]

enlargement of medal.

enlargement of insignia on hat of man seated on right. Appears to be a "3" and the "4" seems clear.

 

[UCVRelics]

OK experts, when did the crossed rifles come in? Late Indian Wars?

19 November 1875