Yank with Dragoon Revolver

[Pritchett Ball]

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2011648521/

I found this photo of a unidentified Union Cavalryman holding a Colt Dragoon revolver (3rd model I think).

Can anyone tell me a bit about the uniform he's wearing?
Respectfully:

Kevin Dally

[rbruno]

Re: Yank with Dragoon Revolver

That is an interesting picture. I would be interested to hear what people have to say. Could do a lot of speculation and guesses on this picture.

[usmcskipper]

Re: Yank with Dragoon Revolver

Kevin,
A quick answer about the uniform after viewing the large file from the LOC website is that he is wearing a Mounted Service Jacket (it even has hardware for shoulder scales on it) and mounted service trousers (you can see the leg reinforcements in the large image). I don't know enough to tell what variant of the service jacket it may be. The large image lets you see the collar with buttons and trim which confirms it in my mind as a mounted service jacket.

Chris

[ScottCross]

Re: Yank with Dragoon Revolver

What Chris said, and I would add that the trim is difficult to see because of the color sensitivity of the wet collodian process makes yellow trim look dark. Our wet plate photographers can explain it in more detail.

[guad42]

Re: Yank with Dragoon Revolver

Not to add to speculation and guesses here, but a few years back True West Magazine ran an article on Dragoons that featured a photo of a soldier in the US Mounted Rifles armed with a Dragoon. Could this man possibly be a regular in that branch?

-Sam Dolan

[Tom Craig]

Re: Yank with Dragoon Revolver

I'd have to concur with Chris and say that he is definitely wearing a mounted service jacket, complete with hardware for shoulder scales.

I wonder with this image though if his weapons aren't props? It's impossible to say, but the man has a sabre, but no scabbard on his belt. It may be a distortion of the image focus, but his sabre looks way too broad to be a standard cavalry issue piece, although the basket appears to be generally the right shape. From what I can make out, he appears to have a holster on his belt, but maybe the pistol was a prop too?

Given that he's wearing dark blue trousers, and his belt doesn't appear to have rivets (as much as I can see), I would pin him either as early, or perhaps pre-war.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[rbruno]

Re: Yank with Dragoon Revolver

Just for fun and to play devil' advocate. Are we sure that is a moutned service jacket? When looking at the image in high resolution, I can see the trim around the collar, but I can't see it is that clear down the fronot of the jacket. And, would the hardware for the shoulder scales be hidden under the strap on the sabre belt or is the one on the other shoulder a flaw in the photo because it looks like something is sticking out from the side of his neck too that I think is a flaw in the photo. Also, what kind of sabre is that? Is the basket design one of US manufacture? Just food for thought.

[usmcskipper]

Re: Yank with Dragoon Revolver

Rob,
I can see the trim down the front of the jacket fairly clearly near his neck. Also, you can see two buttons on the collar on one side. The item sticking up on his shoulder is very clearly in the shape of the piece that goes through a shoulder scale and turns to lock it in place. The other shoulder appears to have a small gap between the belt shoulder strap and the man's shoulder which could indicate that the shoulder scale hardware is under the strap.

As to the saber, I'll let someone more knowledgeable than I comment on that.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: Yank with Dragoon Revolver

All:

I appreciate all the comments, and gladly wait for others that may be forth coming.

Kevin Dally

[Tom Craig]

Re: Yank with Dragoon Revolver

You can also make out what appears to me to be trim on his sleeve as well, which would further confirm it as an MSJ.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry