Fed Cav Image

[Outrider]

Nice image I thought I would share with yall. Don't know anything much about it 'cept I like the tall dapple gray and the trooper has the look of the western theater about him to me, but other than that...

[Mark Choate]

Re: Fed Cav Image

Paddy,

Nice photo. I always get a kick out of these original pics and seeing how tightly and in some cases, "ill fitting" that the sack coats (or whatever) are in the originals. We hear folks fume about a perfect fit and that was not nearly the case back in the day.

thanks for showing it.

Mark

[Utley]

Re: Fed Cav Image

You sure it's not one of Wilder's mounted infantry? What is the origin of the pic?

[Outrider]

Re: Fed Cav Image

Chris, no I am not sure it isn't one of Wilder's men. I really have no info on it at all. I would be a bit surprised to see one of Wilder's riding that fine of a mount but it sure could be. The same thought crossed my mind with the untrimmed MSJ (at least thats what it looks like to me) but with no weaponry or much of anything else telling..its just hard to say.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Fed Cav Image

Too, look at how high that noseband is on the bridle! At first I thought it was a halter, but after blowing it up to 275% I can't make out any other "halter" type hardware, so I believe I am seeing double reins and a breaststrap... Initially I would have said untrimmed MSJ, but with everything I think I'm seeing maybe an officer???

BTW: A “new” trick a student showed me is to open the image in a new tab. Hold the “CTRL” key then press + or – to increase or decrease the size of an image… Handy instead of having to save them all!

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Fed Cav Image

He's either a very short trooper, or that's one big horse!

[Tom Craig]

Re: Fed Cav Image

What is that strap around the horse's neck? It's not a surcingle as a breast strap because it doesn't touch the saddle.

I think that's a really good sized horse based on the relative size of everything else compared to the guy.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Outrider]

Re: Fed Cav Image

Yeah I agree. It is indeed a tall horse for then or now!
Tom, * if * you are seeing the same thing I did when I first saw this image, then after blowing it up and so on, what I thought was some sort of neck strap thingie looks more like a shiny sweat spot that the lighting just hit in such a way on the damp neck hair to make it look like some kind of strap.
I tend to agree with Zack Z that the horse, while blurred from head movement so it is hard to tell, seems to me to be wearing a double bridle or at least double rein rig. It could certainly be a lead hanging down from a halter but something about it just suggests double reins to me. Other things I really like about it are the troopers swanky narrow brimmed slouch hat, his overall proud-ish demeanor and his jacket which very well could be trimmed. It doesn't look like it to me but perhaps the trim just isn't showing up in the image well.
Mainly, the horse holds my interest the most. Something about him.....

By The Way...I couldn't agree more about jacket fit and so on Mark. Way too much is made of it now and , I believe, many a more correct "look" could be achieved by that simple and inexpensive thing too. But then I understand also paying hard earned $$ for something and wanting it to fit. My thing has always been if it is supposed to be issued to you then wear it out. If you are a man of means, have family that can sew or wearing what you brought from home as a civilian then go for the best fit your little heart desires....generally.

[Mike Nickerson]

Re: Fed Cav Image

It looks like to me that it is a field rigged martingale type (around the neck) horse collar, type breast strap, linked in the center to the girth.

I'm thinking that was not his horse. The stirrups look to be adjusted for a taller man.

Mike Nickerson

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Fed Cav Image

Gents,


Thankfully, my computer is out of Re-hab with a weekend pass - if only for a few days (literally, as I have to take it back on Monday). OK, here is another image to "chaw- on". This is found in the most recent issue of NORTH SOUTH TRADER'S CIVIL WAR (A fine mag that we all should get at subscription to). It is of Federal Capt. Robert Wilson of the 1st Maryland Cavalry (Federal). The image is found in a wonderful article about a surviving Confederate overcoat (stunningly gorgeous I might add that you must see) that belonged to Lt. Samuel Bonn of the 1st Maryland Cavalry (CS). Unfortunately, the writer(s) of the story used this image and erroneously noted in the caption that the two gentlemen were "colleagues" in the 1st Maryland cavalry. However, when I went to the web site from which the image was obtained (Cowan's Auction) the accompanying information clearly noted the image was of Federal Capt. Wilson and also provided a lengthy bio of his service in the AOP. Regardless, it is one "fine" and clear image of a Federal officer "in the field". I wont waste anytime or space here denoting the various "eye candies" from the image as you can see for yourself they are tasty indeed. What do you all think of it?

Ken R Knopp

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Fed Cav Image

Oh, Here is the overcoat......Told you it was gorgeous!!!


Ken R Knopp

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Fed Cav Image

Paddy, I've got to disagree with you on this one... that's a breast strap of some type around the neck... Look just above the rein, it looks like a buckle and I believe that it's possible that what I thought was a 2nd set of reins is actually a lead strap. Not sure... Z

[TexCavly]

Re: Fed Cav Image

Mr. Knopp that is an impeccable garment indeed. I believe someone has already said that the strap on the horse is a over the neck style martingale and I agree.

[Outrider]

Re: Fed Cav Image

It could very well be a martingale. I am not seeing what yall are seeing but that doesn't mean it's not there, it just means my eye sight is probably wintering in Brazil somewhere.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Fed Cav Image

My guess it would have to belong to part of a martingale based on it's placement...it's just odd, and a weird placement really.

On the image Ken posted...What a farb! LOL! That guy must have marched into the store and told them he'd take one of every geenaw that they had for sale! Cool pic!

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry