Imperial Russia Identification 1

[Odulf]

A Cabinet size portrait of an Imperial private soldier with a medal, from Moscow.

Can any one give details, please?

[Claudius]

details?!??....well, for starters....he's standing.

OK, OK. no fooling around....Great shoulderboards. Someone should be able to id the unit. I would like a better/close-up of the medal. Maybe there is something there. Interesting that he is holding a book. Could be just a photographic affection, but many times things held by the subjects are there for symbolic reasons. A student? A scribe?

[Odulf]

All right, a close up from the medal and the shoulder board.

[leshad]

It is private of 5 grenadier Kiev regiment