Identifying a Uniform

[sandra Bee]

Hi,
Type in on Google ,
J Burton Birmingham photographers and a whole lot of info comes up.
You may even come across some possible match photos. Gives dates etc and comparisons.
They also seem to have travelled around.
Sandra

[known_unknowns]

Could he be a nightwatchman?

His buttons (on greater magnification) seem - and I only say seem - to have an anchor on them, which is I seem to recall, is the city's silver hallmark.

I don't think a prisoner would have such a printed reverse/back to his photograph.

[susan hemmings]

Looking at that badge.  He certainly had some official post.  The crown on it suggests so.  Difficult to date, but someone else is probably more astute in these matters.

Shirley made a good suggestion about looking at the web site.  The back of the photo is identical to one one there.  It says that particular design became popular in the early 1870's,