Custer (1 Viewer)

[trooper]

The reason that the stripe on Custer's trousers appears dark is the photographic process of the day. The chemical process left yellow looking very dark, almost black, there is a name applied to this but I am afraid I cannot recall it at the moment. With regard to the ivory grips on his pistols there are many eye witness accounts detailing his armament. I recommend "Boots and Saddles at the Little Big Horn" and "Custer Battle Guns" for further details. Now get out of the bar, little Welsh ferret, and get back to your painting. Trooper

PS Nice job on the Canadians, by the way. Look forward to seeing what you make of the Household Cavalry when they appear.

 

[johnnybach]

I have also read of an eye witness who claimed that Custer used a small derringer type pistol, that he had secreted about his person to end his own life at the bitter end of the battle - rather than face mutilation. It is claimed that many Officers carried a piece like this - for just such an eventuality.

Thanks for the references - I'll have a scout around for some of those when I'm back in Blighty.

Cheers for the Canadian thoughts - but I'm having a day orf. Looking forward to a bash at the Life Guards myself, old bean!

As for leaving the bar - it's all Ken's fault, bach - Hic!

 

[Dragoon]

Check out these posts on the "Guns Custer Carried'' from the Little Big Horn Asso. forum. http://lbha.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=basics&action=display&thread=854 . Some facts, some opinions, some opinions believed to be fact and the fog of time - in the end, who really knows.

Trooper's got it right about the photograph. It's an odd characteristic from one of the many photo processes developed in the 19th century.

Below is another example, in this case an image of the 7th's Capt. Myles Keogh in dress uniform. We know the helmet's horse plume and center of shoulder boards are yellow but the photo implies something different.

Ya' gotta love some of the curves historical reseach can throw at you. - Cheers - Ken

 

[johnnybach]

Well quite Ken - who indeed really knows? I was just having a bit of fun anyway, as I think you guessed.

As to the colour shift problem - I've fallen foul of similar errors before when trying to work out what colours to paint a uniform. Even when you can get hold of a colour print of (say) a Victorian uniform - there's always a chance that the artist made mistakes too. One of my favourites - Simkin, wasn't immune from the odd error. That's why whenever I decide to have a go at something - I always try and get as many pics, drawings, photo's etc, as possible, before I start.

The Internet in general - and this Forum in particular are marvelous resources though. Some of the geezers who inhabit it - are also a good source of info - and I have learned quite a bit already from some of the more helpful of them - no names - no pack-drill.

Interesting subject this one though - and all started by our friend the Cap'n - with his marvelous two-gun toting figure of George. Hope we haven't messed him around too much. Cheers all - johnnybach

 

[lancer]

Interesting thread. On the matter of the dark shades in the photo, this aspect carries on well into the 20th century. As a fan of WW1 aviation, I have run into the same problem trying to interpret aircraft colors from b/w photos of the period. Blues will photograph very light and yellow will photograph black. There is also a photo of Teddy Roosevelt in his Rough Rider uniform that is known to be trimmed with yellow, yet the photo makes the trim look black. B/w photo interpretation is very tricky in terms of color. -- Al

 

[maddadicus]

While the pistols appear to be accurate, I have to question Custer's uniform. According to most historians, he was wearing buckskin trousers and a blue cavalry officer's shirt on June 25th. It was a hot day, over 100 degrees, so he had stripped off his jacket during the advance.

Regards,
Mike

This is the Errol Flynn version, which makes it Hollywood certifiable.^&grin Michael