Naval Officer? Indian Wars? Name

Hello!


I purchased this piece to add to my "military album". I liked it because it had June 1876 written on the back as well as some information / Name.

Any help in translating the top two pieces would be wonderful!

Thanks in advance!

Warm regards!

 

Could also be fraternal uniform-the big odd-shaped fur-bearing hat makes me think of that. Photog is in Troy, NY? No Navy activity around there. But I'm no uniform expert.

 

I was thinking Mass too, but then I saw how the writer made the e at the end of June. And at the very end of the first line there is a traditionally shaped s, so now I think it is some other word. Not at all sure what word, but not Mass.

 

I only thought he was "naval" due to the hat which looked to have an anchor on it. . But maybe I'm wrong?

 

I don't think so. Full size looks like the letters T and C intertwined, then an eagle and finally a shield, all on an oval shape surrounded by a fabric rosette.

Really hard to tell if that's on the inside or the outside of the hat too.

I'm guessing fraternal or band uniform.

 

I did see that TC possibly stood for Triangle Club which was related to the Socialist Labor Party. Or maybe it's TCL? Tall Cedars of Lebanon (Masonic)

 

Somehow I can't see members of a Socialist organization dressing this way.

 

Haha good point, but maybe because they were also members of the Order of Knights of Labor. Did they wear uniforms? lol

 

Maybe it's military and stands for Transportation Corps?

Edited: Forget that, apparently it wasn't organized till the early 20th century.

 

could that 1st line say master at arms ?

 

nahhh, that can't be right....

 

Damn antique chicken scratch!

 

Went looking for book from the period that might list "organizations" in Troy or Rensselaer County for the late 1800's. Lo and behold, there's one published in 1876!

Now, don't know if this is any help at all, but do you think that might be TE and not TC? There was a special division of the International Order of Odd Fellows in Troy called Troy Encampment No. 3.

And another speculation - that last part of the second line - Gbrh? - might stand for Greenbush, a nearby community.

 

I think that makes total sense Bakersgma! I appreciate looking it up. I'm not sure about TE. I believe it is TC.

Here is a little bit bette closeup, rotated.

 

I'm not sure if the chapeau/chapeaux is military or of a fraternal order. I will say the shape of the loop/adornment on the chapeau is similar to those on military officers' chapeaux from 1859-1912+ In the following online file (pp. 80-85 original publication, online file pp. 88-91) is a section on military chapeaux. Do look at figs 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62 to see that the loop shape is the same. None of the them show the same insignias on the loop. Fig. 60 (page 82 of original file, page 90 of online file) seems to have the same eagle. Figure 62 (page 83 of original file, page 91 of the online file ) appears to have the same black ruffled silk edging around the outside of the loop while the others look like they have a black ruffled rosette silk behind the loop.

I believe I've seen those types of sleeve/cuff design on military uniforms also. No doubt fraternal orders used similar design sleeves as well.

--- Susan

 

I'm leaning towards military rather than a fraternal order. There is the shape of loop on the chapeau and then the sleeve design. That sleeve design appears to be that of a Lieutenant:


Look at the shoulder knots on the following page. The page shows NY state Naval insignias from the Civil War era. This man appears to have similar shoulder knots/adornments albeit larger.
http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/cwuniforms/insignianavy.htm

--- Susan

 

I agree, he does look more military than fraternal. The reason I was leaning away from fraternal when I bought it, was that he wasn't wearing any pins, medals etc. The sword didn't look decorated in any sort of way. Which usually they would be adorned with fraternal symbols etc. Thank you for the links! Really appreciate Ladybranch!

 

Very interesting link, Susan! And it shows that "French Horn" cap insignia we saw on the possible Zouaves on Jeff Hendricks' thread!

 

Nowwww, I'm not sure at all, but the type of shoulder knots he is wearing may be more Naval and Marine than army?? The Army shoulder knots may have been more like the following.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_12_2007/post-79-1197753154.jpg

Also the material of his belt looks more like those worn by naval officers than army. Oh where, oh where is Spring!!!

--- Susan