Description
Very nice sixth plate ambrotype of a confederate private. He is wielding a rare imported Pattern 1851 French Minie Rifle. The Lovell catch bayonet for the rifle can be seen housed in the scabbard resting on his hip. A number of North Carolina troops garrisoned at Fort Fisher are documented as having been issued these rifles. According to Confederate purchasing records, around 14,900 of these rifles were purchased from England. The gun had a caliber of .702, and was soon replaced by the Pattern 1853 Enfield, making it quickly obsolete. The soldier is wearing a grey six button shell jacket rounded at the bottom, and a belt with plain buckle, all leading to a possible North Carolina provenance. The image has some minor scratches and surface abrasions that show up much more in the scan than the image viewed with the naked eye, and they do not detract from the quality or content at all. Housed in a half leatherette case. This image was published in the Spring 2018 issue of Military Images Magazine.
