Big Federals

[lukegilly13]

Is it just me or are these guys huge? Image taken from library of congress:

[Ryan Halsey]

Re: Big Federals

Yeah those guys look a tad bit large compared to the others.

[nick19thind]

Re: Big Federals

It's possible as there was a mention of a 7ft tall Swede enlisting and having a custom uniform made.
But you have to remember the average Victorian man was shorter than his modern counterpart. The tall man is an officer, they were often from the better-off sections of soceity and could afford to eat well.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Big Federals

That's a wild picture, just due to the variation.

If the horse on the right, the horse-holder, and the tall fat officer nearest him are all standing level and the same distance from the camera, I figure approximately...

A 16-hand horse would mean the horse-holder is 5'10" and the officer is 6'6" (guessing where his head comes inside his hat).

A 15-2 hand horse would mean the horse-holder is 5' 7.5"" and the officer is 6' 3.5"

A 15-hand horse would mean the horse-holder is 5'5" and the officer is 6'1."

If the horse was around 15 hands, it wouldn't put either man very far out of the range of normal. But they sure look odd standing together.

Can anyone get a better measurement by using the known width of the saddle flap or blanket?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[lukegilly13]

Re: Big Federals

That's a good idea, i'm gonna search for the specs on that saddle...is it a McClellan? Also, wonder if those are standard size windows?

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Big Federals

Some are standing on a berm making them appear so tall....

look at the grade