Pose with hand inserted in coat

[Jeff Kubach]

They may have itchy stomachs!

Jeff

[Lee L]

Early form of 'texting' using morse code and a miniature telegraph key hidden in vest pocket.

[Sirius Glass]

They had GAS and could not get relief because computers, KEH and eBay did not exist.

Steve

[rpsawin]

Feeding his pet raccoon????

[tony lockerbie]

Not bad Pete, but the real reason is the high bean diet in the military in those days. His hand is firmly on his abdomen, explains the pained expression as well.

[Andy K]

I like this one: http://www.mikelynaugh.com/VirtualCi...gtonHouse.html

Reminds me of a photograph of the 'Bullingdon Club'.

[Dan Henderson]

First google result for: hand in coat pose
http://www.napoleon-series.org/faq/c_hand.html

According this source, "In real life," Miller observes, "the 'hand-held-in' was a common stance for men of breeding."

Sort of like how current "men of breeding" (or those wishing to appear so) walk around with the collars of their polo shirts turned up or with sweaters draped over their shoulders.

[BobNewYork]

Portraits of Napoleon and Nelson etc showed the same pose. My understanding was that, until the advent of the sewing machine, one was obliged to hold up one's trousers. The hand in the jacket, (and remember "low-risers" or "hipsters" had yet to become fashionable) was essential in order to distinguish early portraiture from early pornography. Lord Admiral Nelson, apparently very much annoyed by this pose requirement is reputed to have said to the artist: "All this fuss over a little thing like that !"

Bob H

[benjiboy]

Nelson and Napoleon were both men of very small stature about 5' 4" putting their hands in their coats made them look bigger and more important and impressive.

[jnanian]

it is comfortable to stand with your hand like that.