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

Two sixth plate tintypes. (Focus a bit soft, but details visible, very good contrast, slight discoloration to surface of tintype of corporal.) Housed together in a double thermoplastic Union case with floral design (few more chips to edges). 

A fine near cameo pair of resolute soldiers in typical nine-button frock coats, armed with conversion muskets and belted Sheffield knives. These men are flanked by a delicately tinted American flag reflecting both early war patriotism and an unknown photographer's signature studio prop. Under closer scrutiny the corporal on the left shows the rarely seen crossed ax shoulder insignia of an attached pioneer company, more likely in this case to have been serving in the Eastern Theater with the Army of the Potomac as opposed to Rosecrans' later Pioneer Brigade in the west. The private on the right has added a private purchase revolver butt forward in pristine leather holster, a detail that suggests fairly early war.