Assistance with rifle ID in old portait.

dsynk

dsynk

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
97   0   0
Hi Guys,

I'm in need of help ID'ing the rifle in this old, old portrait:
great_grandpa02.jpg


The bandoleer looks like a pattern 1888 which may be a hint, but I'm not entirely certain if the bandoleer is paired correctly with the rifle.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

D.
 
smellie said:
Can you tell him to move his HANDS?

Front band looks a bit 1895 Mauser-ish to me.

South African photo, perhaps?

.
Click to expand...

How I wish I could have him move his hands :)

South African photo, yes, but the gentleman was English.

Initially I was thinking that it was a Mauser as well, but sling mount is too far forward being on the front band, and not on the middle band that seems to be prevalent on Boer Mausers.

sunray said:
Likely a Lee-Metford.
http://www.enfieldrifles.ca/ri1a.htm
Click to expand...

That's a great pointer. I'll look into this a bit more.

D.
 
If you have a chance to look at many period portraits, you will see the same props used again and again. I going to suggest that is not a rifle, but a clumsy wood prop.
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
If you have a chance to look at many period portraits, you will see the same props used again and again. I going to suggest that is not a rifle, but a clumsy wood prop.
Click to expand...

Never considered that! At least in this instance, it may not be the case.

Family history was recorded that he used to be an excellent marksman and took part in shooting competitions on a regular basis. All of the clocks and other items around him in the portrait are trophies from the competitions, but there was no written or verbal history that was found regarding the details about the rifle itself.

D.
 
If you have a chance to look at many period portraits, you will see the same props used again and again. I going to suggest that is not a rifle, but a clumsy wood prop.
Click to expand...
X2 I also think it may be a studio prop; peculiar position of left hand also unless there is a magazine there..in which case -- can't see the action which would show above that point ... very odd
 
the angle he is holding it towards the camera distorts quite a bit , but if you look closely especially at the receiver and nose cap it looks to be quite clearly to my eyes to be a long Lee. The British uniform supports this pretty well too.
 
Thats one cool picture!!! The hat looks very Australian to me, the turtleneck swaeter is interesting too, along with the3 or perhaps 4 clocks and what looks like a ruet/decanter in the foreground.
 
I am more inclined to think that is a New Zealand pattern CARBINE. He appears to be a mounted troop, and the hat would be the same style as the Australian one.

I do have a couple of those carbines, so that's what I based it on. they do take the bayonet.
 
did cavalry wear puttees? I would thing they would have leather riding boots. Also, why all those clocks around him? Fascinating picture, I dont suppose we will ever know for sure. I wonder if there is an ANZA website that the poster could send the picture to? That might help a bit.
 
banjaboy said:
did cavalry wear puttees? I would thing they would have leather riding boots. Also, why all those clocks around him? Fascinating picture, I dont suppose we will ever know for sure. I wonder if there is an ANZA website that the poster could send the picture to? That might help a bit.
Click to expand...


WRT the clocks, see below from post #6
"Family history was recorded that he used to be an excellent marksman and took part in shooting competitions on a regular basis. All of the clocks and other items around him in the portrait are trophies from the competitions, but there was no written or verbal history that was found regarding the details about the rifle itself."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom