I got this tintype in 1977 or 1978 when I was 21 years old. I had gone to a flea market with my girlfriend Lois, and saw what turned out to be a brass mounted Harpers Ferry 1855 two band rifle with the original figure 8 sniper sight in the patch box. The lady wanted $300 for it. I did not have that much on me and I had never seen that gun before, and I really wasn't that much interested in guns. I liked photographs, uniforms, and Soldier's personal items. I went home and called a local school teacher and fellow reenactor who had this brand new book called FLAYDERMAN'S GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AMERICAN FIREARMS
He looked up the gun for me and we both gasped. I had the antique dealers phone number and immediately called her and asked if I could come up and buy it the next day. And so up I rushed to Southeastern Michigan and bought this rare Harpers Ferry rifle . What a home run for a college kid.
Another very Advanced local gun collector got wind that I had the rifle and asked how much money I would take for it . I said I would trade it for something really cool from Michigan like photos . The next day he showed me this half plate tintype with the soldiers ladder badge on it. I told him I would take the tintype as partial trade and wanted a few hundred dollars to boot. We did the deal and I traded on the spot.
I have owned this nearly 50 years and haven't looked at it much in the last 40. I have looked at it more carefully this week than I did in 1978. And the more I look I begin to wonder if it really is the 11th Michigan. It may well be, but I can't say that I recognize that jacket for that regiment. Engaging my meager objective detective skills, I came to realize that when I was a kid and the older fella knew I liked Michigan pictures what would stop him from telling me it was Michigan and throwing in a $5 veteran's badge? This week on the internet I found a picture of the drummer whose name is on the badge. And he is not in this picture. So take it for what it is. A magnificent outdoor half plate tintype of some darn tough looking yankees. I have believed it was the 11th Michigan for 50 years, now who knows . This lot is the tintype only. The badge is offered as lot 74 in this auction. $45 for packing and UPS shipping with signature required service. Insurance is $2 per $100 in value. No shipments outside the USA.