Sixth plate ambrotype half-length portrait. Half leatherette case. 

A haunting portrait of an older man posed with the signature weapon of Confederate soldier photography, a large "D-guard" Bowie knife. The sitter's grey hair and weathered face suggest he was in his 50s or 60s when this photo was made, making him likely too old to serve in the Confederate Army. That said, the maximum age for conscription crept up from 35 to 50 during the Civil War, reflecting the South's scramble for manpower as the fight dragged on.

The man's simple black suit makes an excellent accidental backdrop for the knife, as the contrast allows for a superlative view of an iconic weapon. Whether or not this man actually served as a soldier is somewhat beside the point; he certainly has the correct bearing, and it is rare to see such a clear view of the Confederacy's most iconic armament. 

[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]