And this guy, with both mechanic and gunner's mate patches

I believe this fellow is coastal artillery, observer. Really crisp Studio photo. I was looking for photos of something completely different. Came across this one.

Thanks. I got my blades mixed up there. Any ideas of a time frame?              

Greetings.    So far I've found that this Admiral star is tagged as being for a "Line Officer" and that it is likely WWII or earlier but later than WWI.   Can anyone add detail about time period. And where does this one get sewn on. With the black border it doesn't look right for an epaulet but I am out of my element here. What grade uniform would this be for?

Yes, I will be calling them tommorow 👍

That’s true, I’m really stumped, I hate to ask for a handout, but can someone please just put in a few minutes to search his name in fold3 or something of the sort. Without the info of when he was in country, this can’t move forward. I’ve tried so many different sits, and I can’t find anything. I’ve even looked at the “free sites for research” topic in individual and unit research and out of all of those I couldn’t figure out anything. I don’t know what the next step is without having to pay for something which I can’t do because I’m broke and have no source of payment.

Ask them about the arrow heads being used to mark time

I think he is marking time. 12 lines is 12 months and 4 arrow heads per line denote the 4 weeks  found in a month. As the statement below lays out his construct of a way to mark time could fall under this .     The Diversity of Native American Calendars It’s crucial to remember that there’s no single “Native American calendar.” The diverse tribes across North and South America developed unique systems reflecting their specific environments and cultural practices. Some relied on lunar cycles, others on solar cycles, and many incorporated both. These differences highlight the richness and complexity of their methods for Native American timekeeping. Each calendar wasn’t simply a tracking system; it was a fundamental aspect of their way of life, guiding agricultural practices, ceremonies, and social organization. This integrated approach underscores the deep connection between Native American cultures and the natural world. Studying these diverse systems reveals a remarkable understanding of astronomy and a sophisticated appreciation for the rhythms of nature. Understanding the nuances of each calendar requires careful consideration of its context.

Here is my Sharps carbine.  This is a Civil War-era carbine (percussion caps) that was later converted to use metallic cartridges. Like the Spencer carbine, it was used during the early years of the Indian Wars.  It chambers a big .50/70 cartridge.   Robert    

No, that’s why I’m going to contact the Muscogee history and cultural department to see if there’s any significance besides what I’ve read on the internet. I tried looking to find elders from the tribe to contact, but to no avail. I need to find out what unit he was in. Tagt is the priority, but Like I said above, I keep getting so close and then it makes me try to pay which I can’t do… I suck at research and this is getting very frustrating…