It's not the type of hat, it's how you wear it and with what you wear it

[deanglen]

Favorite time period. I want one of those shirts, as well as the hat. Lovely expressions!

#1

#2

#3

dean

 

[Duck]

WOW!!

Those are some huge pockets on the shirt in the 1st pic.
I really like the cartridge belt!! Is that a Mills Belt?

 

[deanglen]

M1883 blue campaign shirt and a form of the Mills belt, possibly the "prairie belt". Not sure about the belt.

dean

 

[Son_of_Atropos]

rough rider?

 

[Kodiak]

Nice pics!

It always amazes me that people today can work so hard to pull off a look, when these guys were just dressed for work. Probably a couple of cowboys out to check the herd, or maybe some volunteer soldiers for the S-A war, like Atropos said.

 

[deanglen]

My first thought was Span-Am War, but I'm more inclined now to think late Indian wars. Their facial expressions seem rather different than your usual late 1800s portrait type. This is such a non-Louge era thread for General Acoutrements, I know. It's remarkable there's been as many posted responses as there are. Interesting.

dean

 

[up196]

Cavalrymen for sure

These men are wearing Cavalry uniforms for sure. In the first two pictures, you can see the reinforced seat of the trousers.

The cartridge belt is a Mills type of the Cavalry design. The small loops to the right of the C clasp as for revolver cartridges.

 

[TraderRic]

The holster can be used to date the photo. It looks to be the one issued for the 1875 Schofield. Since the schofield and the 1873 colt were in use at the same time, there were 2 holes in the flap that attached to the brass stud. This accomodated the 2 different grip styles of the 2 revolvers. I have seen photos of this holster worn as late as 1902. I imagine it was in use until the adoption of the 1911 .45. In 1912 the cavalry started wearing the montana peaked campaign hat. My guess is late 1880s-90s because of the cartrige belt. With the 1903 Enfield the cavalry started using belts with pouches to hold clipped ammunition.

 

[deanglen]

'These men are wearing Cavalry uniforms for sure. In the first two pictures, you can see the reinforced seat of the trousers. The cartridge belt is a Mills type of the Cavalry design. The small loops to the right of the C clasp as for revolver cartridges.' -up196


'The holster can be used to date the photo. It looks to be the one issued for the 1875 Schofield. Since the schofield and the 1873 colt were in use at the same time, there were 2 holes in the flap that attached to the brass stud. This accomodated the 2 different grip styles of the 2 revolvers. I have seen photos of this holster worn as late as 1902. I imagine it was in use until the adoption of the 1911 .45. In 1912 the cavalry started wearing the montana peaked campaign hat. My guess is late 1880s-90s because of the cartrige belt. With the 1903 Enfield the cavalry started using belts with pouches to hold clipped ammunition.' - Trader Ric


Are we looking at Indian Wars era, as a best guess, then?


dean

 

[Flying Scotsman]

My days of doing image processing must be coming back to me...

Does it look to you as if the gentlemen in the first two photos are wearing the same cartridge belt? That is, were these "posed" pictures in some sense?

They're still VERY cool...I especially like the shirt on the first guy.

 

[deanglen]

My days of doing image processing must be coming back to me...

Does it look to you as if the gentlemen in the first two photos are wearing the same cartridge belt? That is, were these "posed" pictures in some sense?

They're still VERY cool...I especially like the shirt on the first guy.

By george, I think you're right! H-m-m-m-m. One guy brings his Mills belt and carbine and all three put it on for the shots! Great eye, Flying Scotsman. How about same shirt for two and three? Right pocket has something in it. Collar is unbuttoned, but shows same crease in both. You think they may not even be "real" troopers? H-m-m-m. Possible. I love the shirt, too. original reason I posted the shots.

dean

 

[TraderRic]

Many photogs of the day supplied their own accessories in the studio to include weapons. If you were home on furlough you weren't likely to have your spencer carbine and side arm. As an aside, note the left hand draw for the pistol. This was because the cavalry still regarded the sabre as the primary weapon. Yes, I think Indian Wars. The belt looks to be an 1885 issue, so not before then, or just after the Indian Wars which was 1890. Cheers!
Eric

 

[deanglen]

Many photogs of the day supplied their own accessories in the studio to include weapons. If you were home on furlough you weren't likely to have your spencer carbine and side arm. As an aside, note the left hand draw for the pistol. This was because the cavalry still regarded the sabre as the primary weapon. Cheers!
Eric

TraderRic,

This is why I love the Lounge! I never stop learning from fellow loungers! Might also explain why the shirt seems quite big? But that's probably pushing it a bit. Thanks for your responses and info.

dean

 

[deanglen]

We could make a game out of identifying the strange similarities and differences in these photos! Shirt in shots #2 and #3 have no pocket buttons. Shirt in shot #1 does. Also, all three wear their campaign hats in a similar fashion. Other pictures who some degree of variation in most cases. In fact, my guess Shots #2 and #3 share the hat, shirt, gloves, belt, holster and carbine.

dean

 

[TraderRic]

No problem Dean. I'm a history buff and an old cavalryman. I was a trombone player in the 1st Cavalry Division Band in the 90s. I have lots of books on cavalry. I recommend the "Osprey" and "Greenhill" series of books. Good info and tons of period pictures. They can be found at most hobby shops.

Eric