Unknown WW I Era Non-Military, Militia, Home Guard or Other Cabinet Photo?

[world war I nerd]

I'm trying to figure out what the subject of this WW I era cabinet photo is. I really need some help if anybody recognizes what anything this non-military guy is wearing, Wild guesses, as well as pure speculation are also welcome.

 

Okay, first off, the overall size of the photo with frame is 6 X 9 inches - the photo size is 4 X 5.5 inches, and the frame bears a Brooklyn, New York photo studio logo.

 

The guy is wearing some sort of para-military, U.S. Army style uniform that is loosely based on what was issued around 1907 or so.

 

Clothing

His hat is some sort of campaign hat (possibly the 1904 pattern) with one side of the brim turned up as if he was one of Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Riders".

The cut of the khaki cotton coat is loosely based on the Army's 1907 pattern, but without the regulation pointed cuffs.

The canvas leggings appear to be the regulation 1907 pattern.

The two-toned shoes are, most definitely, not government issue!

 

Equipment

His black leather belt, with a non-regulation federal style brass buckle bearing an, as yet, unidentified logo, that looks as if it could be the type that was issued prior to the adoption of the 1903 Infantry Equipment.

On the belt is a black leather pouch that looks suspiciously like a McKeever style 45/70 cartridge box.

 

Insignia

Collar brass appears to be the numeral '1', or letter 'I' on the right, and the numeral '22' on the left, both with a dull bronze finish.

The dull bronze rimless buttons seem to have an embossed design that, I think, is a stylized eagle.

 

Is this the uniform of a ... charitable organization - militia - home or state guard - para- military fraternal order - the Boy Scouts or something else?

 

Thanks for looking ... World War I Nerd

[world war I nerd]

The cabinet photo minus the frame.

[world war I nerd]

Close up from the waist up.

[world war I nerd]

Head and shoulders, plus a close up of the collar brass and coat button.

[world war I nerd]

Close ups of the leather belt, pouch/cartridge box and belt buckle.

[world war I nerd]

And a close up of the New York photographers logo as printed on the cardboard mounting frame.

 

Does anybody recognize any of the above?

[world war I nerd]

I don't know if this is any better or not, but here's a gray-scale shot of the belt buckle's logo.

[Keith]

I would speculate he is dressed in the studio props available. A Civilian, (shoes) who decided to get his photo taken wearing a uniform. ??

[Salvage Sailor]

It is similar to the Boer War/South African type dress up unitorms worn by members of the Explorers Club in New York City circa 1920's-1930's. They were popularized by the infamous adventurer/spy/imposter/explorer/saboteur Fritz Duquense who would give lectures in disguise and used many aliases during his lifetime.

[world war I nerd]

Salvage Sailor, you're right. My initial reaction was also that it might be related to the Boer War in South Africa. However, the New York photo studio, and the coat's resemblance to the 1904 or 1907 pattern U.S. Army cotton service coat, made me think otherwise. I've also seen a WW I era image of a Salvation Army, Red Cross or other charitable organization guy wearing a hat with one side of the brim folded up.

 

So far, we still don't really know what organization (if any) this guy's outfit is affiliated with.

[Salvage Sailor]

I'm on board with a costume assembled by the photographic studio and not an actual military organization due to the victorian lace up shoes. Could be a fraternal type club or group.

[RustyCanteen]

I cannot discern much on the belt buckle, but the lowermost lettering appears to be something akin to "F[or T]SR of A", which does sound sort of like some fraternal type group.