Installed with a viewable oval area 2 3/8 inches tall and 2 inches wide, this Sixth Plate tintype features a seated American enlisted man in full kit, with a light touch of blush on the cheeks, gold applied to the buttons and buckle, and a plain background. This trooper is particularly well armed, kitted out with an 1840 Heavy Cavalry sword, a Sharps "Slant Breech" Breechloading Cavalry carbine, and a brace of two revolvers positioned on the belt in crossdraw position, one of which is mostly obscured by the carbine and the other appearing to be a Colt. The orientation of the guard branches on the sword and relative positions of the hammer and saddle bar on the carbine give away the traditional image reversal seen on vintage tintypes. The tintype is set into a glass-topped brass frame with geometric designs, with a blue velvet pad inside the lid and a 3 1/4 inch wide by 3 3/4 inch tall Gutta Percha case with raised floral motifs and an American patriotic design in the center of the lid.

Good. The image shows some fading around the edges of the frame, with a few small areas of flaking towards the bottom. A few small cracks and chips are visible in the case.