Help with unit ID 27 SD? SV?

Hello again,

I was wondering if any military folks could help with
ID'ing the Uniform / Medals on this fellow.

Also the Kepi Insignia.

Is it 27th South Dakota?

C. 1870's - 1880's?

Thank you in advance!
Warmest Regards!

 

South Dakota became a state in 1889, if that helps at all.

He certainly has a lot of interesting medals!

 

Looks like Knights of Pythias with that laurel on the kepi and the sword pin on the jacket.

 

If those are military pins, they surely are weird military pins, the sword, hoe and bell. The kepi and coat look military but not those 3 pins. Can't make out the medal hanging from the ribbon bar or the coat buttons.

--- Susan

 

Buttons may be the KOP ones made by M.C. Lilly and others. The sculpture on the button face resembles a flower that to me resembles an orchid, but I'm botanically-challenged.

 

As to the Kepi, with Fig dating SD statehood to 1889, I found that 1896 was the last year the army issued these kepis. I think the wreath emblem on the kepi was used by officers in the civil war and Indian Wars. Now the wreath emblem was used on GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) hats at their reunions. This man certainly doesn't appear to be an officer and certainly not old enough to be a CW veteran. The whole pic is incongruous. The above fraternal order suggestions might be the answer.

--- Susan

 

I found this interesting. They claim the lower crown was a post civil war cap.
(Copied from Pinterest)



The GAR was formed in 1866
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Army_of_the_Republic

Notice it was succeeded by the Sons of Union Veterans. SV?

When I googled GAR medals, there was a bell similar, but not quite the same as the one pictured.

Maybe this should be explored a little more.

 

Pat, GAR was one of my thoughts also as the wreath was used by them.

[QUOTE="Ladybranch, post: 169859, member: 44" Now the wreath emblem was used on GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) hats at their reunions. This man certainly doesn't appear to be an officer and certainly not old enough to be a CW veteran.[/QUOTE]

I just didn't think he looked old enough to have been a Civil War vet in the late 1880s. He would have had to be in his 50s or pushing it. Do y'all think he is in his 50s? Anyways good find on a bell medal for the GAR! Found that a bell medal was given out at the 1899 GAR National Reunion which was held in Philadelphia. It doesn't look identical to this one, but is a good start. It seems each state had different GAR medals for their members.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/for...6-first-appearance-of-gar-official-souvenirs/

Believe the pics of that hat on Pinterest came from this site. A good 1/2 way down the page,
http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/civilwarantiques/111012webcat.html

BTW, South Dakota GAR post no. 27 is in Plankinton, SD called John A. Rawlins Post No. 27.
http://www.suvcw.org/garrecords/garposts/sd.pdf

--- Susan

 

The SUV/SV votes win this time. See medal on left at link.

http://www.suvcwmi.org/store/

 

Good find, Spring! After seeing your reply, I searched around. I now think that is not SD on the hat, but "SV" for the GAR's Sons of Veterans. Look at the hat on the following page.
3rd pic down:
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/39038-sons-of-veterans/

The GAR's Sons of Veterans name was changed to Sons of Union Veterans in 1922. At that time a U was added in the middle of the emblem.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to "1922"
http://www.suvcw.org/history.htm

--- Susan

 

It does! I am glad you and Susan figured things out in later posts.

 

Copied from the second link in post 10
suvcw.org

Posted 20 March 2009 - 02:21 PM

There were two distinct groups within the Sons of Veterans organization. One was the larger fraternal membership who assisted the GAR with their meetings and this was largely a social group if you will. There was also a smaller armed SV militia that was organized as militia units, held rank, and participated in military preparedness drills and training. These SV militia units were actually scheduled to fight in the Spanish American War but since the US won the war so quickly, they never were shipped overseas to combat.

 

Interesting decorations. Maybe the big medal is the Order of the Snapping Turtle.

Think the 'hoe' might be an axe?