American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

Half plate ambrotype (small fleabites to enamel); housed in full leather case (wear to velvet pad, scuffs, wear to extremities).

[With:] Vignetted CDV, copy image of the ambrotype. [Dublin]: Gluckman, n.d. 2 1/4 x 3 3/8 in. albumen CDV on cardstock mount (toned). Period ink inscription to mount verso of photographer's name and address: "Gluckman / 24 Upper / Sackville Street." 

A provocative image of an anonymous British infantry officer in campaign kit, probably relating to the Indian Mutiny, ca 1857-58. Based solely on the companion CDV identifying the pioneering Dublin photographer, perhaps an officer from one of the British Army's resolute Irish regiments. The quilted cover of the early style cork sun helmet is rarely encountered in British military photography of the period, yet the style had practically supplanted regulation headgear in India based on contemporary illustrations of the Mutiny. The light-colored tunic made of cotton or linen, more comfortable in hot climates is decidedly non-regulation and purposely lacks rank insignia for anonymity in the field. The cuffs, however, are in a proprietary dark regimental facing color. The buttons cannot be read but would also be of proprietary regimental pattern.  Significantly, this young officer displays Colt's famous M1851 Navy revolver, likely made in Colt's London factory. Private purchase Colt Navy revolvers were a preferred sidearm and saw significance service in both the earlier Crimea War and the Indian Mutiny during the 1850s. His sword is the regulation British P1822/45 for company-grade infantry officers in a typical black leather scabbard. As ambrotypes are all one-of-a-kind, the companion CDV copied from the original would allow quantity photographs to be distributed among family and friends as the officer sailed off to guard the empire.