A collection of ten (10) tintypes of soldiers from the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry Regiment, highlighted by an exceptional view of one subject armed with a Henry rifle, among the scarcest accoutrements to appear in Civil War portraiture.

The 1st District of Columbia Calvary Regiment was formed in 1863 under the command of Colonel Lafayette C. Baker (1826-1868), originally for the purposes of defending Washington, reporting directly to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (1814-1869). Most notably, the regiment participated in the Siege of Petersburg in 1864 and 1865. Eventually the regiment was transferred and consolidated into different companies.

Interestingly, the 1st D.C. Calvary Regiment was the only Federal unit completely equipped with Henry rifles during the Civil War. The Ordnance Department purchased 800 Henry rifles from New Haven Arms Co. with purposes of arming the regiment. With an advanced design and superior firing power, the Henry rifle was in high demand. Federal soldiers privately purchased them for use and Confederate soldiers frequently captured and reissued them for use nearing the end of the Civil War. While their popularity was well-known, the Ordinance Department only purchased 1,731 Henry rifles during the war. The majority, of course, would be distributed to the 1st District of Columbia Calvary Regiment. 

Views include: 

Eight (8) Quarter plate views

1. Uniformed Soldier Holding Henry Rifle Quarter plate full-length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863]. Brass matting. Gilt detailing. Condition: Some crazing to the emulsion most evident at raking light. 

2. Uniformed Soldier holding Cavalry Sword Quarter plate full-length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863]. Brass matting. Gilt detailing. 

3. Uniformed Soldier holding Cavalry Sword Quarter plate full-length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863].

4. Uniformed Soldier Brandishing Cavalry Sword Quarter plate full-length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863]. Gilt detailing.

5.Uniformed Soldier Brandishing Cavalry Sword Quarter plate full-length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863].

6. Uniformed Soldier Posing with Pillar Quarter plate full-length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863]. Gilt detailing.

7. Seated Uniformed Soldier Brandishing Sword Quarter plate three-quarter length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863].

8. Uniformed Soldier Posing with Pillar Quarter plate full-length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863].

One (1) Sixth plate view 

1. Two Uniformed Soldiers Seated Sixth plate three-quarter length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863].

One (1) Ninth plate view 

1. Uniformed Soldier Posing with Arm on Table Ninth plate three-quarter length studio view. [Washington, D.C. 1863].

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [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][Guns, Firearms, Revolvers, Rifles, Longarms, Handguns, Arms & Armor]