This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.massachusetts.counties.berkshire/3748.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hello, I had my husband, knowledable about guns and militaria, examine your photograph. He said he thought that this was not a uniform but either some other outfit or order, or a costume of sorts that the photogapher's studio set him up in, that it does not appear to be military. The gun has the appearance of an 1862 musket, but is not clear enough in the picture to properly id. The outfit does not fit and he is not wearing a hat, which men in uniform certainly would do, suggesting a photographer's costume. The cartridge box and the bayonet case are on the wrong side and the letters or insigna on the belt appear to be backwards, so there is a chance that the photo is backwards, but the gun and bayonet are on the right side, so you cannot tell. Food for thought. Kathryne