A significant large-format albumen photograph ca. 1864 presented in an oval mat and housed in a period wooden frame with gilt inner liner. The image depicts a group of six Union soldiers in various poses, heavily armed and equipped for the field. 

This original image is an extraordinary study of specialized mid-war Union weaponry. Most remarkably, multiple soldiers in the group are armed with Colt Revolving Rifles, identifiable by their side-mounted hammers and distinct cylinders. These weapons provided a devastating rate of fire but were expensive and difficult to maintain, leading to their limited issue to select elite or veteran regiments.

The squad-level presence of these rifles suggests this may be a portrait of members of the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry—famed for their use of the Colt at the Battle of Chickamauga—or a similar specialized unit. 

Additional details include a soldier on the far right in full marching order with a packed knapsack and bedroll, and a soldier on the far left wearing a non-regulation belt and holster. The mix of fatigue blouses, frock coats, and non-regulation headgear (such as the slouch hat in the rear) further supports the image of a seasoned, "hard-cracking" veteran outfit.

This albumen represents a pinnacle of Civil War "weaponry" photography, as the presence of multiple Colt Revolving Rifles in a single group portrait is an extreme rarity that suggests a direct connection to a legendary elite unit like the 21st Ohio or Berdan's Sharpshooters. Collectors will be drawn to the incredible density of material culture on display, from the sophisticated rifles to the full marching order gear, all captured in a large-format print that offers a level of forensic detail rarely seen in standard wartime images.

Importantly, this particular photo hung in Rick Carlile's office, a prominent object he viewed with admiration every day. It deserves a similarly treasured place in the finest of Civil War photography collections. 

[Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards, Stereographs] [Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Guns, Firearms, Revolvers, Rifles, Longarms, Handguns, Arms & Armor]

The albumen remains in very good condition with strong tonality and crisp detail, allowing for the mechanical features of the rifles to be clearly inspected. The period frame shows expected surface wear, scuffing, and minor separation at the mitered corners. Not examined out of frame.