Another Early War Federal.

[Outrider]

To sort of go along with Zack's posting of that fine Early War Federal Cav image, here is another interesting one I came across while attempting to gather as many images of civilian saddlery from the period as I could. Especially Western and Trans- Miss. Images .
I believe this officer is from the Western Theater but could also be Trans-Miss. That however is just speculation on my part as I can find no provenance on it. Simply my "gut feeling'.
No rank that I can tell, though I certainly believe him to be an officer based on his frock coat, dk. blue trousers and sash.

To me the most interesting thing is that all of his horse furniture appears, at least to me, to be non regulation to say the least, including what I believe to be another example of a California saddle w/mochilla in place and wide wooden stirrups. Although the horn cannot be seen for the pommel holsters being in the way, I believe that is a mochilla covering on the saddle and I have seen images of other original California saddles with the same type -carved ,I believe- stirrups.
I am not at all sure what manner of breast collar he has on the horse. I can't say as I have seen another like it. Anyone have an idea/opinion?
Unless I am missing something the halter, bridle, and bit are also of civilian origin.
I though y'all might enjoy this as well. Any thoughts? I would like to hear them.
Thanks.
[IMG]<a href="http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab99/saddlebound/?action=view&amp;current=1198.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab99/saddlebound/1198.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

[volcav]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

That breast collar looks like it has a sheep skin lining.

[James A. Page]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

Has this horse no tail?

[Outrider]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

Good evening fellas.

Jerry- I agree it does look like sheep skin lining on that oddly configured breast collar. If indeed it is, that would be the first example of it I have ever seen in a period image.

Jim - I am sure he does have a tail. I suspect one of two things; either he just happened to have it "tucked" between his legs as one of mine will sometimes do or it is also possible that he was swishing at a fly or something at just the wrong time during the exposure which will cause it to "disappear" in the image. The same reason there are very few images of anything moving quickly in photographs of the period. A man, moving say , an arm ,too quickly during the relatively long exposure times of period photography will often also disappear in an image for example.

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

What I first saw was that ,again, the saber is on the wrong side. Could this be a negitive of the origanal image? plm

[Outrider]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

Hi Paul,
It is not a negative. Imagine that you were going to replicate this image with all of your traps in the correct place as you would normally wear them and then imagine what your pose would look like in a mirror. THAT is the nature of period photography. In other words, when you see a posed image in which the saber etc. appear to be on the correct side, that means that the subject has arranged his traps so that they appear to the viewer to be on the correct side in the final image. Without out doing that, in the world of period photography, an image will always appear as the mirror image of the actual pose.
I hope that makes sense. With that in mind, as you can see, this gentleman is actually wearing his saber etc. on the correct side per normal. It is just that the image is reversed i.e. a non-pre arranged image as many, if not most, images struck "in the field" are not pre arranged and as such can often be an indication that the photographer came to the subject and not the other way around.
I hope I explained that correctly. If not, I am going to hear about it from wetplate artist friends of mine...and noone wants that Ha.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

IMHO - The breastcollar looks very similar to the red and yellow two tone surcingles I've seen... Look at the size that the halter ring appears to be... Nice image Paddy!

[Outrider]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

It could very well be one of those surcingles Zack. I agree to about the giant halter ring. I have tried blowing it up to get a better look at his bit but haven't ben able to make it out.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

That's one cool dude, and a great photo! I would concur that his breast strap is actually a loudly patterned surcingle. Nice touch!

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[TexCavly]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

The longer I look at that pic the more awesomeness glows from it. I've never seen a mochila that was so plain and it looks to be black.

[AZFarrier]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

Patrick
What information do you have on this picture. I only ask is because the majority of the California troops were sitting on California saddles. I do agree that this is a california saddle, and I go on to add that I can't help to notice the Dragoon pummal holster attached. This trooper is wearing all correct issue gear a California Trooper would have, Hardee hat and dark blue trousers. I really can't see what type of saber he is wearing, or make out his coat real well.

Also looking at the back drop my first impression it is somewhere out west here. The masonary is a little rougher looking then somewhere back east, maybe adobe?????

Anyway thank you for posting this picture.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

He's wearing what appears to be an officers sash. The sash knot and the saber scabbard would normally be on the wearer's left.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Another Early War Federal.

Am I seeing what appears to be a very "wrinkled" holster on his side? I can not really make it out even enlarged... any thoughts? Z