A full-length studio portrait of an armed Union soldier fills this quarter plate tintype, produced during the Civil War era and housed in a leather case with an embossed floral and scroll exterior. The photographer is unidentified and no studio imprint is present. The tintype is set within a gilt mat featuring a repoussé oval surround with fluted inner border and stylized floral corner motifs.

The soldier stands at attention wearing a nine-button sack coat with shoulder straps, a forage cap with what appears to be a brass infantry bugle device, and light-colored trousers. A large oval waist belt plate is clearly visible at his midsection, and he holds a rifle musket vertically at his side with a bayonet fixed to the muzzle. His expression is direct and composed.

Civil War tintypes of armed, fully equipped enlisted men photographed in full-length standing poses are among the most sought-after configurations in military photography of the period, as they document the complete accoutrements a soldier carried into service.

The quarter plate tintype measures in accordance with the standard quarter plate format. No inscriptions or notations are present on the image or case interior.