Confederate Soldier w/ Sharps Carbine

Sixth plate ambrotype portrait. Full leatherette case.

A striking portrait of a triple-armed Confederate soldier, most likely a cavalryman due to the M1859 Sharps carbine he displays for the camera. "Slant breech" Sharps carbines are exceedingly scarce weapons to find in any Civil War image, much less a Southern example. The subject is further equipped by a brace of revolvers on his belt.

The Sharps carbine was prized by horse soldiers on both sides of the conflict, not just for its reliability, but also because it's shorter length made it much more practical to use when mounted. While we do not know this particular subject’s identity, his choice of weapons and long hair make for quite a memorable portrait. The consignor relates this portrait was discovered in San Antonio, Texas.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union