While studying a Civil War tintype of what appeared to be a Union cavalry trooper, clues about the soldier’s identity revealed itself in a most unusual manner. The soldier’s sword belt with cross strap and brace of Colt revolvers quickly indicated a mounted role, but his Union Army 9-button infantry frock coat seem to contradict that conclusion. It would have been easy to consider the anomalous mounted sword belt and revolvers as “studio props” (an explanation used far too frequently among collectors and dealers of military photographs). Regardless of the incongruous uniform, weapons and accouterment, something about this portrait had an air of legitimacy. The question was, could the details reveal what it was? More »