Victorian Shotguns and Dogs Photo Quiz

[Jim Kremmel]

Thanks for all the comments. As promised I removed the wood back, and found the following on the back of the picture:

Logo - Forshew, Photographer, Hudson, N.Y.

Hand writing - Messrs Kerby

Per a internet reference on the Hudson River Vally, Francis “Frank” Forshew was a prolific photographer in upstate New York in the last half of the 19th century. I also took the opportunity to check out a couple areas of interest in the image, particularly shotgun #2. The lifter has a cap on it, and it’s clearly attached to the shotgun. I’m surprised how clear the image is outside the frame. And I really love the faces on all the dogs!

So, if you have a 19th century hammer gun attributed to a Mr. Kerby, it may be one of two in this pic!

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Jim Kremmel

Thanks for all the comments. As promised I removed the wood back, and found the following on the back of the picture:

Logo - Forshew, Photographer, Hudson, N.Y.

Hand writing - Messrs Kerby

Per a internet reference on the Hudson River Vally, Francis “Frank” Forshew was a prolific photographer in upstate New York in the last half of the 19th century. I also took the opportunity to check out a couple areas of interest in the image, particularly shotgun #2. The lifter has a cap on it, and it’s clearly attached to the shotgun. I’m surprised how clear the image is outside the frame. And I really love the faces on all the dogs!

So, if you have a 19th century hammer gun attributed to a Mr. Kerby, it may be one of two in this pic!

That is very cool!

As for the buttoning of the top button only, that was a common practice at one time. For those of us who are fans of Gordon MacQuarrie, we know that "Mr. President" always wore his old brown mackinaw buttoned only at the top.

I hope someone has that lifter. Stranger things have happened.

[Researcher]

As for the buttoning of the top button only, that was a common practice at one time.

Perhaps many of these gents were dining too sumptuously and their coats would not encircle their ample girth!!

Your picture immediately reminded me of the picture of the Widgeon Duck Club's J.A. Hannah published in Larry Baer's Parker books --

163962 02 J.A. Hannah.jpg

[Garth Gustafson]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

That is very cool!

As for the buttoning of the top button only, that was a common practice at one time. For those of us who are fans of Gordon MacQuarrie, we know that "Mr. President" always wore his old brown mackinaw buttoned only at the top.

I hope someone has that lifter. Stranger things have happened.

That practice goes back at least to the Civil War. Union soldiers were issued loose fitting "sack coats" and were required to keep their top button buttoned in most non-combat situations. Enlisted and junior officers (lieutenants and captains) wore single breasted coats and senior officers wore double breasted. In this 1885 16th Conn. reunion photo the vets are buttoned-up per regulations.

[mobirdhunter]

Thanks, Garth, and others. What a great thread.

[ArtS]

Originally Posted by Jim Kremmel

Thanks for all the comments. As promised I removed the wood back, and found the following on the back of the picture:

Logo - Forshew, Photographer, Hudson, N.Y.

Hand writing - Messrs Kerby

Per a internet reference on the Hudson River Vally, Francis “Frank” Forshew was a prolific photographer in upstate New York in the last half of the 19th century. I also took the opportunity to check out a couple areas of interest in the image, particularly shotgun #2. The lifter has a cap on it, and it’s clearly attached to the shotgun. I’m surprised how clear the image is outside the frame. And I really love the faces on all the dogs!

So, if you have a 19th century hammer gun attributed to a Mr. Kerby, it may be one of two in this pic!

I thought I ws correct about that lifter because it looks so much like the 1874 I have. Those guys all look like they couldn't button those coats and sit down. A lot of the older guys I mentioned wearing their coats like that in the early fifties had probably bought them in the 20's and were still wearing the same one.

I hadn't paid attention to the men, but after knowing they were likely related, I think they do have a familial appearance. The two on the left almost could be twins, and their features appear to be consistent to their surname roots.