If you can call them that. These are supposedly Texas national guardsmen at the Mexican border in 1916, at the time of the Punitive Expedition - no two uniforms alike, no two hats worn the same way, four issue puttees and one non-issue. The M1903 rifles are shown to advantage, however. Sharp eyes may detect another anomaly or two. Enjoy. JT
If you can call them that. These are supposedly Texas national guardsmen at the Mexican border in 1916, at the time of the Punitive Expedition - no two uniforms alike, no two hats worn the same way, four issue puttees and one non-issue. The M1903 rifles are shown to advantage, however. Sharp eyes may detect another anomaly or two. Enjoy. JT I like the 'cut of their jib'.
A fine shot. There's pictures of the German army in Normandy that show a not dissimilar variety of 'styles'.
Observations on sidearms: Second from left has a "Mexican loop" butt rearward holster. From the plough handle shape of the grip, I'd say a M1873 Single Action Army revolver. The others appear to have standard issue M1909 butt forward holsters, likely with Colt double-action revolvers. I can't tell whether the handguns are the M1909 Colt New Service in .45, or the earlier medium-frame .38s. If they are in fact militia, and the date is correct, it is not surprising that they have older equipment. Here's a closeup. The recoil shoulder verifies that it is indeed a double action revolver. JT
