Help Identifying Military From Photo

[miker866]

Hello,

I ran into this photo recently - most likely an ancestor of mine, but I'm not sure 100%. It might be my great grandfather. Anyway, I'm having trouble IDing the uniform - the country/region, date, etc. The ancestor's family most likely came from Poland, but not sure where in Poland. There is a photographers name on the back and the only match I could find on the internet was a few photos from 1880 Plovdiv, Bulgaria - so I am fairly certain this photo is from Europe. Any help would be greatly appreciated for where this is from, the year, etc, etc.

Thanks!

[Regorian]

Hello Miker 866,

Welcome to Rootschat . This photo probably dates from the the late 1870's. The French style kepi's had been around since the Crimean War and well known from the American Civil War.

You mention Plovdiv, there was a lot going on in 1877-1878, namely the Russo-Turkish War. The Russians captured Plovdiv and wanted to add it to Bulgaria. After all, Bulgarians made up most of the population. The British (and French?) vetoed it until the Treaty of Berlin, Disraeli and Bismarck.

I think your ancestor was in Bulgarian or associated allied uniform. He had a medal (Russo-Turkish War). I say 'associated' because his uniform does not match up exactly with Bulgarian uniforms.

I think you can discount Poland (famous last words )     

[Regorian]

Pity no other contributions. Admittedly it is a difficult subject. OP did view 27th without comment.

Candidates were Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro. Not Russian uniform.

He has the presence and gravitas to have been an officer, but the uniform does not look like that of an officer.

 

[Treetotal]

Hi Mike and welcome to RootsChat...The oval vignette was a popular style for 1870s Carte de Visite style photos and the rounded corners were introduced in the early part of the decade.
Carol

[jess5athome]

I'm being swayed to a Serbian uniform,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Serbian_Army#/media/File:Serbian_Cavalry_officer_1865.jpg


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Serbian_Army#/media/File:Kralj_Milan_u_vojnoj_uniformi.jpg


None are exact but that's where my thoughts are after trawling through the internet with not much success 

Frank.

[Regorian]

Yes, Serbia was a good candidate. Thanks for looking.