Home / Black Coffee Mugs / Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Fez With Model 1855 Rifle Musket And Pepperbox Revolver (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug
  • Antique tintype of a seated soldier in a red fez-style cap holding a rifle across his lap, in an ornate gold frame.
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Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Fez With Model 1855 Rifle Musket And Pepperbox Revolver (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Fez With Model 1855 Rifle Musket And Pepperbox Revolver (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

$17.99 USD
$17.99 USD
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Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Fez With Model 1855 Rifle Musket And Pepperbox Revolver (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This design reproduces a hand-coloured sixth-plate tintype of a Union soldier seated with his weapons, his fez and his enlisted man's coat making an unusual pairing.

Visual Elements & Composition

Sepia grey covers much of the scene, giving the portrait its documentary quiet. Antique gold picks out the scalloped frame and the metalwork of the rifle, while brick red marks the fez with its tassel. Dark teal and charcoal anchor the edges and the uniform. The soldier sits centred within a scalloped oval, the rifle-musket resting across his lap and a cartridge pouch and belt crossing his body, so the eye moves from the face down the length of the weapon.

Meaning & Symbolism

The photograph dates from between 1861 and 1865, during the American Civil War, and is held by the Library of Congress in the Liljenquist Family Collection. The soldier is unidentified, but the image records a great deal about him: the regulation coat of a Union enlisted man, the fez that echoes the colourful dress of Zouave units, and the Model 1855 rifle musket and pepperbox revolver that signal his readiness for combat. Mid-century portraits often staged a soldier's armaments as a statement of personal resolve, and this one carries an individual flair that stands out within the ranks.

Made for the Morning Ritual

A mug is turned in the hand before it is raised, so the portrait reveals itself slowly, one side and then the other. The scalloped frame wraps around the curve, keeping the soldier and his weapons in view as you rotate it. Pour a slow morning cup, or pass this to a friend who keeps history on their desk, and the tintype becomes a small conversation piece with every turn.

Size

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Glossy black ceramic mugs in two practical sizes — 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml). Comfortable C-handle, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and manufactured to be lead- and BPA-free. Note: printed blacks may read slightly different from the mug’s base color.

These mugs are made from solid ceramic with a glossy glaze that gives a deep, even surface for printing. Sublimation printing embeds ink into the glaze so artwork sits smoothly on the mug rather than simply sitting on top — that means better resistance to fading and scratching during normal use.

They’re available in the classic 11-ounce size for everyday black coffee and tea, and a larger 15-ounce cup if you like extra room for milk, foam or a long pour. The C-shaped handle is wide enough for a secure grip and balances the mug well when full.

  • Material: 100% ceramic with a high-gloss finish for punchy, saturated results.
  • Sizes: 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml) — choose your routine size.
  • Printing: sublimation process fuses color into the glaze for durable imagery.
  • Safety: lead- and BPA-free; meets common food-contact safety standards.
  • Design note: very dark artwork and the mug’s black base can produce subtle shade differences — add a thin lighter outline to ensure contrast if needed.

These mugs are at home in the kitchen, on the office desk, or tucked into a morning routine. They work for espresso shots, pour-overs, oat-milk lattes — you name it. The larger size is handy when you want a second cup’s worth without a refill.

  1. Daily use: fill with your preferred brew and sip — the mug handles hot liquids safely.
  2. Office-friendly: fits most standard mug warmers and sits securely on communal trays and kitchen counters.
  3. Gifting: packs well (wrap with a soft layer) and pairs nicely with coffee beans, tea tins, or a small box of biscuits.

Practical tip: for very dark designs, try a thin light border or a small margin so the artwork reads cleanly against the black ceramic.

These mugs are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, but gentle habits extend the life of the print. We recommend dishwasher use on the top rack and milder cycles when possible.

Hand-washing is the friendliest option: warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Avoid steel wool, harsh scouring pads, or blasting with extremely hot industrial cycles. And a quick reminder — don’t microwave an empty mug.

Two sizes: 11 oz (approx. 330 ml) and 15 oz (approx. 440 ml). The smaller cup is the familiar, everyday size; the larger one is for fuller pours and extra-creamy drinks.

Each mug’s mouth and height are proportioned so they’re easy to drink from and easy to clean. If you’re pairing with saucers or nesting in cabinets, expect the 15 oz to be slightly wider and taller than the 11 oz.

Size guide

All measurements are product dimensions in inches.

11 oz 15 oz
Height (in) 3.86 4.72
Diameter (in) 3.35 3.35
Diameter with handle (in) 4.72 5.12

Note: dimensions are nominal — small production tolerances may apply. If you need precise fitment (e.g., for nested storage or custom packaging), please allow a small margin.