Installed with a viewable oval area 2 1/2 inches tall and 2 inches wide, this Sixth Plate tintype features an American enlisted man in full kit, with a light touch of blush on the cheeks and a "field encampment" themed background. In his hands is the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle, which was known to have been purchased privately as well as acquired on limited contract (estimated less than 5,000 total) by the United States government, making it the first repeating rifle adapted by the Army. Examples are known to have been used during the Seminole Wars and the Civil War. While the usual accommodations for the image reversal of the tintype process have been made, the "SU" plate on the soldier's cartridge pouch and the reversed hammer on the Colt give away the flip. The glass-fronted frame is impressed/repoussed with Union-themed decoration, with a blue velvet pad and a 3 1/4 inch wide by 3 3/4 inch tall Gutta Percha case with scroll and patriotic motifs.

Very fine. Sharp detail is present in the image, especially in the face and armament of the soldier, and the casing shows mild wear and handling marks. The ultimate Colt revolving rifle image!