Unit identification

[Billw12280]

Hello,

I just purchased a glass negative and I am trying to identify the unit (this is a image created from the negative by the seller). My initial thought is that it is of the Dandy Fifth in dress uniform but I suppose it could also be a New York National Guard unit. Can anybody help clear this up and let me know what you see that leads you to your conclusion? I would really appreciate it. I cross posted this in the photo forum as well.View attachment 161665

 

[johan_steele]

Whoever they are they are post ACW as those are Trapdoor Springfields.

 

[Billw12280]

Whoever they are they are post ACW as those are Trapdoor Springfields.

I agree, definitely post ACW.

 

[UCVRelics]

Great photo. I agree with the Indian War period. I have a complete Dandy 5th uniform and several photos of them and the hats on these guys don't appeared to be the same. This style uniform was popular with a lot of militia and NG units. Could be the 5th of several different states. I think the hat badge would tell the tale if you can get a good clear blow-up of one.

 

[mofederal]

After I blew up the image, it looks like a flaming bomb over a wreath or badge. The man holding the bugle looks like he is wearing engineer castles on his collars. He is also wearing a medal, which might be might actually be shooting badge/medal. It has a weird hanger though.

 

[Billw12280]

Great photo. I agree with the Indian War period. I have a complete Dandy 5th uniform and several photos of them and the hats on these guys don't appeared to be the same. This style uniform was popular with a lot of militia and NG units. Could be the 5th of several different states. I think the hat badge would tell the tale if you can get a good clear blow-up of one.

I have a Dandy 5th coatee and pants as well but unfortunately I have not been able to locate the accoutrements. I have found a shako and shako plate that I will be purchasing but it is the later style shako. From my research, I believe, the shako they are wearing is an earlier model 1872-1889. After 1889 they went to the taller more cylindrical shako. I tried to get a close up of the shako badge but the closer I zoom the fuzzier the picture gets. I'll keep trying to clean up the image though.

 

[UCVRelics]

I tried to get a close up of the shako badge but the closer I zoom the fuzzier the picture gets. I'll keep trying to clean up the image though.

We have a few folks that do some unbelievable things with photos but for the life of me I can't remember so I'm going to call in the big guns. paging @lelliott19, @AndyHall @Lnwlf

 

[Billw12280]

After I blew up the image, it looks like a flaming bomb over a wreath or badge. The man holding the bugle looks like he is wearing engineer castles on his collars. He is also wearing a medal, which might be might actually be shooting badge/medal. It has a weird hanger though.

This is the later Dandy Fifth Shako badge.

 

[mofederal]

I think this is the shako minus the insignia.

 

[UCVRelics]

It doesn't match the one there wearing. Here is a GREAT video of the 5th

https://www.loc.gov/item/98500901/

 

[UCVRelics]

@AndyHall I can't remember the member who does all the photo stuff HELP

 

[Billw12280]

It doesn't match the one there wearing. Here is a GREAT video of the 5th

https://www.loc.gov/item/98500901/

That's a great video. I found that awhile back but it was hard to make out details in it as well.

 

[mofederal]

5th NY National Guard.

 

[AndyHall]

This doesn't help much.

 

[Billw12280]

View attachment 161680
5th NY National Guard.

So from what I can see the badge is different and the shako has a horse hair plume instead of the pompom although I'm sure there were variation based on mounted troops versus infantry. Thanks for posting this.

 

[mofederal]

It said it was from around 1812 to 1825, but It did look very similar. The NYNG I know is from the late 1930's to WWII.

 

[UCVRelics]

The one thing that leans me toward not being the 5th is the shoulder boards. Here the ones from my Dandy 5th.

 

[mofederal]

That is a nice uniform, good color. It looks to be in good overall condition.

 

[Billw12280]

The one thing that leans me toward not being the 5th is the shoulder boards. Here the ones from my Dandy 5th.
View attachment 161682

That looks a lot like my New York Militia Fatigue uniform.

Here is my Dandy Fifth dress uniform with the epauletts

 

[mofederal]

That is very nice. I like the uniforms a lot. I used to work for a museum in Missouri, so I am more familiar with here, but I love to learn more about militia and national guard units. Thanks for posting the uniforms. The shako that I posted that looks green is listed as being from 1872.