This picture was among my Grandmother's, Nealie Drake Tapley's, things. Thus, I believe this gentlemen was a member of her family. Her father, perhaps? An uncle? Is that some sort of military uniform? I wish I knew the answers to these questions.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Liz,
ReplyDeleteI was really intrigued by your photo! I first thought Navy, but a search for 19th century Navy uniforms shows that the enlisted wore plain tunics with neck ties and the officers wore double breasted jackets. I think the calvary did wear shorts similar, but that didnt feel right. So then I searched for 19th century double breasted shirt and learned it was also called a bib or shield shirt. As it turns out these shirts were very popular for firefighters because the extra layer helped to protect them from sparks. Below are some links to images of firefighters from the period that look very similar to your photo. Maybe he was a firefighter!
http://www.oprfhistory.org/new_home_for_history/new_home_for_history.aspx
http://www.imcpl.org/kids/blog/?p=11922
http://educationaltour.fasnyfiremuseum.com.profusionwebsites.net/1800a-fashion-fireman.html