Civil War era photos

[maint1517]

I can sit for hours on google images, just scrolling through old photos/ tin types from the civil war era. Figured I would start this thread where we could post our favorite images from that era where the participants are showing C&B revolvers. Ill start with a few of my favorites.

 

[maint1517]

This last photo, though not showing their revolvers, is one of my favorites. Its the James-Younger Gang

 

[maint1517]

I just found this one and it left me scratching my head. What is the revolver he is holding?

 

[Tommygunn]

I just found this one and it left me scratching my head. What is the revolver he is holding?View attachment 784982

That is a Starr revolver. Looks like one of the early "double action" types that proved less than stellar in actual performance, according to some sources. A later version was single action.
Repros are made....or have been, by Pietta. I have the double action, and I have to say, it is a somewhat clunky and weird action. I'd rather have a Colt or Remington were I fighting in the U. S. Civil War.

 

[Berkley]

 

[WestKentucky]

I know that it’s a photo technology and lighting deal, but I just love how all of those old smokerollers look like they are stainless or nickeled, even though we all know that they were in fact a dark finish.

 

[expat_alaska]

Here is a good source:

https://civilwartalk.com/forums/

Jim

 

[expat_alaska]

What's wrong with this picture?



Jim

 

[Tommygunn]

It's very blotchy......

 

[Jimster]

Finger on trigger? Never mind. They all have their finger on the trigger.

 

[expat_alaska]

Yes, it is very blotchy.

It is a daguerreotype or a tintype, which always shows a reverse image of the actual scene. How many southpaws were there? I suspect not many. It is a Colt 1851 Navy and you can see the right side recoil shield in the photo.

Just something to think about when viewing ACW era photos.



Ever seen an 1800's left-handed Winchester?

Jim

 

[Tommygunn]

Yes, it is very blotchy.

It is a daguerreotype or a tintype, which always shows a reverse image of the actual scene. How many southpaws were there? I suspect not many. It is a Colt 1851 Navy and you can see the right side recoil shield in the photo.

Just something to think about when viewing ACW era photos.

View attachment 785037

Ever seen an 1800's left-handed Winchester?

Jim

Well, I was being a wiseacre. I suspected it was mirror imaged. I couldn't be sure; on my tablet I couldn't be sure about the recoil shield. I have seen Billy the Kid's reversed photo with the Winnie with the left side loading gate.
A lot of historians knowledgeable of old photos know about the reverse image ..... leaving me to wonder whether we are seeing corrected ones these days ... or not.
A loading gate on the 1873 makes it easy to spot if you know what to look for.
But if there's no obvious clue?

 

[maint1517]

Heres another one for you. And another revolver I have never seen before.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Yes, it is very blotchy.

It is a daguerreotype or a tintype, which always shows a reverse image of the actual scene. How many southpaws were there? I suspect not many. It is a Colt 1851 Navy and you can see the right side recoil shield in the photo.

Just something to think about when viewing ACW era photos.

View attachment 785037

Ever seen an 1800's left-handed Winchester?

Jim

How about the new photo found of Billy the Kid at a garage sale. (worth millions)



www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/19/man-who-discovered-rare-billy-the-kid-photo-the-hunt-is-a-really-grand-thing
Yes, I love old photo's. I especially love the old western photo's of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. Recently read a fascinating book about the Doc. And just watched the Civil war series by Ken Burns. Great photo's in that documentary.

 

[kBob]

maint1517,

That is a French or Belgian Pinfire revolver, often Identified with the South, but the Union may actually have bought more. Apparently both governments bought ".46" caliber or "12mm" guns though there were some privately purchased 9mm and a few 7mm floating about.

They tended to be not as powerful as a .44 1860 Colt or Remington NMA even jf those guns used issue paper cased ammunition rater than "full" loads from a flask.

Many were double action. They loaded through a loading gate on the right. Some had ejector rods and others depended on plucking the fired case out with the pin that still stuck from the side of the fired case.

-kBob

 

[drobs]

George Maddox.

https://www.civilwarmonitor.com/blo...n-lawrence-and-the-bloodstained-verdict-of-th
http://www.civilwarvirtualmuseum.or...r-guerrilla-warfare-actions/george-maddox.php

 

[Jeb Stuart]

deleted

 

[maint1517]

 

[Sistema1927]

There have been too many Rebs portrayed. How about some defenders of the Union?

(I am guessing that the revolver in the 2nd photo is a photographer's prop.)

 

[maint1517]

There have been too many Rebs portrayed. How about some defenders of the Union?
View attachment 785113 View attachment 785114
(I am guessing that the revolver in the 2nd photo is a photographer's prop.)

Agreed!
Not sure, but I believe I see a holster on his right side. It may actually have been his.

 

[maint1517]

 

[Sistema1927]

And sometimes, uniforms were more decorative than practical, such as the various Zouave regiments. This one doesn't show the pantaloons and gaudy colors, but I have yet to see another Zouave photo with a revolver in it.

 

[maint1517]

 

[maint1517]

I thought this one was very interesting.

 

[Sistema1927]

I thought this one was very interesting.
View attachment 785119

The original "New York" reload.