Tintype soldier uniform identification help

[CaneLady]

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Hello, I have two CW soldier tintypes and would really enjoy knowing something about the soldiers based on their uniforms. I'm including pictures and would appreciate any information you could provide. One soldier is holding a sword, and the other soldier was supposedly a sergeant with the Illinois 21st infantry, but no other info. Thank you!

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

Nice photos

Picture One could easily be a 21st Illinois sergeant.

Picture Two is a (Union) officer though we can't see his rank.

Others are likely to be able to say more.

 

[UCVRelics]

The yankee officer seems to be carrying an Eagle Head sword and an embroidered infantry hat badge, I believe @Package4 can shed some light on it.

 

[Package4]

Picture two is either a Lt or Captain, of infantry, since he is wearing a single breasted frock and sports an infantry bugle insignia on his forage cap. I'm going with early war due to what appears to be a militia sword and the larger rank straps on his shoulders.

 

[major bill]

The soldier in image #1 has a lot of buttons on his vest.

 

[CaneLady]

The soldier in image #1 has a lot of buttons on his vest.

What would a lot of buttons imply? Thank you.

 

[CaneLady]

Nice photos

Picture One could easily be a 21st Illinois sergeant.

Picture Two is a (Union) officer though we can't see his rank.

Others are likely to be able to say more.

Thanks for your reply. How can you tell that he's a sergeant? Thank you for educating me.

 

[CaneLady]

Picture two is either a Lt or Captain, of infantry, since he is wearing a single breasted frock and sports an infantry bugle insignia on his forage cap. I'm going with early war due to what appears to be a militia sword and the larger rank straps on his shoulders.

Thank you so much! I'm a beginner with all of this.

 

[CaneLady]

Picture two is either a Lt or Captain, of infantry, since he is wearing a single breasted frock and sports an infantry bugle insignia on his forage cap. I'm going with early war due to what appears to be a militia sword and the larger rank straps on his shoulders.

Thank you so much for your help. Appreciated!

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

Thanks for your reply. How can you tell that he's a sergeant? Thank you for educating me.

The chevrons (stripes) on his sleeves indicate that he is a non commissioned officer (NCO) of some sort. What we can't quite see is how many there (the more the higher the rank) are but the thickness of them to me suggests sergeant.

As to what the number of buttons on the vest means (in relation to what you asked Major Bill) then what he is getting at is that it isn't a standard pattern. Therefore if anyone knew of someone wearing something similar then that might pin down precisely which infantry regiment the man is from.

 

[James N.]

What would a lot of buttons imply? Thank you.

The chevrons (stripes) on his sleeves indicate that he is a non commissioned officer (NCO) of some sort. What we can't quite see is how many there (the more the higher the rank) are but the thickness of them to me suggests sergeant.

As to what the number of buttons on the vest means (in relation to what you asked Major Bill) then what he is getting at is that it isn't a standard pattern. Therefore if anyone knew of someone wearing something similar then that might pin down precisely which infantry regiment the man is from.

Vests or waistcoats usually weren't issue items hence tended to be non-regulation unless they were part of a distinctive uniform like that some chasseur regiments sported. As noted, both men are definitely members of infantry regiments and the sergeant's is indicated by the number within the circular bend of the horn insignia on his headgear. Unfortunately it may be too blurred to be certain but it looks as though it could be a 21.

 

[CaneLady]

The chevrons (stripes) on his sleeves indicate that he is a non commissioned officer (NCO) of some sort. What we can't quite see is how many there (the more the higher the rank) are but the thickness of them to me suggests sergeant.

As to what the number of buttons on the vest means (in relation to what you asked Major Bill) then what he is getting at is that it isn't a standard pattern. Therefore if anyone knew of someone wearing something similar then that might pin down precisely which infantry regiment the man is from.

Wonderful, thank you!

 

[CaneLady]

Vests or waistcoats usually weren't issue items hence tended to be non-regulation unless they were part of a distinctive uniform like that some chasseur regiments sported. As noted, both men are definitely members of infantry regiments and the sergeant's is indicated by the number within the circular bend of the horn insignia on his headgear. Unfortunately it may be too blurred to be certain but it looks as though it could be a 21.

What's neat is there was a little slip of paper inside the case that indicated 21st Illinois. Too bad no name given.

 

[major bill]

What would a lot of buttons imply? Thank you.

This type of vest was almost certainly not issue but a private purchas button cost something and so would the time it took for a tailor to sew them on and sew buttonholes. To me this indicates the wear spent some cash for the vest. Possible he had money before the War, or bought the vest with a reenlistment bonus or with a bonus enlisting.

 

[CaneLady]

This type of vest was almost certainly not issue but a private purchas button cost something and so would the time it took for a tailor to sew them on and sew buttonholes. To me this indicates the wear spent some cash for the vest. Possible he had money before the War, or bought the best with a reenlistment bonus or with a bonus enlisting.

Very interesting. Thank you.

 

[lelliott19]

the sergeant's is indicated by the number within the circular bend of the horn insignia on his headgear. Unfortunately it may be too blurred to be certain but it looks as though it could be a 21.

Here is a snip of the hat insignia from the first image. Blown up, sharpened, and flipped for proper direction.

I tried to manipulate the sergeants(?) stripes from the first image and the belt plate and hat insignia from the second image but was unable to accomplish any visible improvement on them.

 

[CaneLady]

Here is a snip of the hat insignia from the first image. Blown up, sharpened, and flipped for proper direction.
View attachment 299153
I tried to manipulate the sergeants(?) stripes from the first image and the belt plate and hat insignia from the second image but was unable to accomplish any visible improvement on them.

My eyes are untrained, but I do not see "21" in that. Maybe 58? Anyone?

 

[CaneLady]

My eyes are untrained, but I do not see "21" in that. Maybe 58? Anyone?

And thank you for trying on this!

 

[CaneLady]

Here is a snip of the hat insignia from the first image. Blown up, sharpened, and flipped for proper direction.
View attachment 299153
I tried to manipulate the sergeants(?) stripes from the first image and the belt plate and hat insignia from the second image but was unable to accomplish any visible improvement on them.

Here is a snip of the hat insignia from the first image. Blown up, sharpened, and flipped for proper direction.
View attachment 299153
I tried to manipulate the sergeants(?) stripes from the first image and the belt plate and hat insignia from the second image but was unable to accomplish any visible improvement on them.

This is like those Magic Eyes from years ago. Does it look like 21 to you or possibly something else?

 

[lelliott19]

This is like those Magic Eyes from years ago. Does it look like 21 to you or possibly something else?

I was actually thinking 63 but would be interested to hear from others.