Neat photo I have never seen.

[Liam]

Two U.S. foot soldiers serving as guards at a Gettysburg Reunion that brought together 50,000 American Civil War Veterans, Pennsylvania, 1913.
2.jpg

[lyman]

colorized photo?


wondering if the rifles were really that worn, finish wise,

[RCS]

no handguard clips in the left rifle

[bruce]

Cool picture. Thanks for posting it. Sincerely. bruce.

[Johnny P]

The hand guard clips weren't added until some time in 1910, and the rifles probably hadn't been back for maintenance.

[Merc]

Interesting photo. Original b/w would be valuable. (All items related to Gettysburg are valuable.). The soldiers appear to be fully armed and are ready for anything. Probably a company that was assigned guard duty to protect and assist the veterans. You have to wonder if they appreciated the significance of the event?

Some observations:

The tent behind them appears to have a veteran seated in a folding chair.

The butt plate, bolt and barrel bands do not appear to be blued. Notice the foresight hood.

Blue hat cords signifying enlisted men? (Gold = officers?) Both have hat pins, possibly regimental insignias. (Add - The soldier on the left has a regimental insignia pinned to his shirt pocket flap.).

Standard issue ammo belt with suspenders, watch fob and a clean unworn (recently issued?) bayonet.

[fjruple]

Thanks for sharing!!

[J.J.]

Have rifle #406328, bbl. date 2-10. The handguard is a shortened 1905 type with sight line cut modification and no clips. No other 1910 mods are present.
J.J.

[Merc]

Both soldiers are lightweights. I’ll bet the soldier on the right doesn’t weigh more than 120 pounds.

[RCS]

Here is a photo of the s stamp on a shortened handguard without clips but groovedP1010023_0017_017.jpg