American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online

Ninth plate portrait of a handsome soldier with well-groomed facial hair. (Image a bit dark, tarnishing/deterioration to edges creating halo effect, otherwise rather sharp; unsealed.) Housed in a fully separated pressed paper case (split at spine, surface wear throughout). 

The pensive Federal soldier gazes directly at the camera with captivating effect. He sports a singular style of facial hair coupling a neatly trimmed moustache but only partial sideburns divided by a narrow patch of clean shaven chin.  The private is uniformed in a sack coat with rectangular eagle belt plate most likely suggesting an infantry non-commissioned officer ranking, perhaps waiting to acquire corresponding chevrons (though some western theater cavalry also authorized rectangular belt plates and had been issued sack coats by 1863). Tucked into his belt is a Sheffield knife and unidentified, probably imported, civilian centerfire cartridge revolver with a short barrel.