Double bayonets?

[Indianabugles]

I was watching the Ken Burns series again when I suddenly noticed an oddity I recall seeing before and not putting into script. It is in episode 4 and is a picture of a Negro soldier, probably posed with a shining Springfield and bayonet on it.
It was then I noticed he still has a bayonet on his belt so this confirmed my suspicion that it was staged. I cannot find the one I saw prior but this one is on the Ken Burns series reminded me. How common was this error and has anyone else used it to confirm a staging?

[CSchneider]

Re: Double bayonets?

Pretty common. From what I've noticed, its usually in individual portraits.

-Craig Schneider

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Double bayonets?

Hallo!

Which also raises that annoyingly pesky and thorny issue as to whether the arms and accoutrements seen in images (especially older patterns) are actually the property of the soldier or just photographers' props.

(Part of the discussion about soldiers being allowed, or not allowed to take their guns and accoutrements out of say camp and into town for a sitting...)

Curt

[Micah Trent]

Re: Double bayonets?

...which also throws a curveball in there when you are studying photos, to get a better idea as to what a partucular unit you will be portraying was issued, so you can better your impression for an event. Pesky indeed!

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Double bayonets?

Check out the analysis of the image of Fire Zouave Francis Brownell, and his two bayonets. However, we know that the weapon he's holding is, in fact, his from the initials scratched into the stock. It is presumed, naturally, that this is the specific rifle/bayonet with which he did in the killer of Col. Ellsworth.

http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/firezou/impression.html

[David Fox]

Re: Double bayonets?

Famous last words: "Behold my trophy!"

[Dreamer42]

Re: Double bayonets?

...and now for something completely different...today we welcome Arthur "Two Bayonets" Jackson on the show.

I have often wondered if the well trained eye can tell a difference between a studio portrait using props and one taken "on location" while following the armies around. The liklihood of the items belonging to the soldier would increase if the photographer were following the troops.

Another confounding question I had regarding WWII portraits was one I saw of a soldier most definately at home visiting his family (the family house was in the background) while he was holding an M1 Carbine. Huh? I guess it did happen.

I know British troops often carried their weapons on leave during WWII, but thought it was a rarity during most American conflicts, even during the CW.

- Jay Reid
Dreamer42
9th Texas