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Early 1900 Tintype Army Soldiers Photo


bbmilitaria
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Hello All, I did not realize that tintypes were being used into the early 1900's. This photo shows three army soldiers wearing wool 4 pocket blouses with the early fold down collar and early visor caps. The image is reversed as the US insignia on the collars appears backward. One is wearing an early marksman badge. Has been removed from an album and is inked on the back, "Van or Von H. about 1902". When did tin types stop being used???

 

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teufelhunde.ret

The process started to fall out of favor in the 1890's with the introduction of Kodak films. Nonetheless the process remained up to the late 40's, more or less as a novelty - carnival item.

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As for dating the uniforms shown, these are the version of OD wool coat first issued in 1904. Emerson describes its main distinguishing features as "Similar to 1903 but with four choke bellows pockets; pointed cuffs sewn to sleeve..." and he describes this style of collar as "...somewhat higher 'standing-falling' collar." (see Emerson's Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms, Ch. 69). He dates the style of cap shown to 1905 (the campaign hat was worn with this uniform, before and after the visor cap was introduced, depending on circumstance -- Emerson, p. 501). The cut-out U.S. and branch insignia were worn in the manner shown until collar discs began replacing them about 1910. It looks like these are Field Artillerymen (mounted troops in any case). Can you identify the unit number/letter on their branch insignia?

 

Following Emerson's reference points, this picture evidently dates from 1905 to about 1910. It is a great picture, however you date it. Thanks for posting it.

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Thanks for the great info. I can't make out the unit numbers on the collar or cap insignia , but it looks more like crossed rifles than cannon or sabers. Mike

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think.gif Greetings & Salutations! thumbsup.gif Took the liberty of reversing the image, perhaps it was meant to appear this way instead? My sincere apologies for tampering with the early portrait. Thanks! Sarge Booker of Tujunga, California ([email protected]) w00t.gif

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hhbooker2 is correct. Tintypes are always inverted or reversed due to the fact that they were exposed directly inside the camera without the use of a negative. This seeming anomaly is what gave rise to Billy the Kid being referred to as "The Left Handed Gun" when in fact he was a rightly.

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