D.D.,
PitSpitr posted to the GAF site on 26 February regarding what looks like an excellent opportunity for proper IW blankets: “Fort McKavett SHS in Texas is having some M1876 "blue stripe" blankets made, they will be correct size, color, weight etc. As high a museum quality as can be, but the compnay needs an order of 50 to set up production and the cost would be between $115-$145. Any IWP reenactors who might be interested, should e-mail the Curator fortmckavettdragoon@yahoo.com”
If you’d rather get a different kind than what PitSpitr posted about, here is some general info on military blankets of the era to give you some ideas as you search for the kind you want from suppliers:
BLANKETS: FOOT SOLDIER EQUIPMENT RELATED
- Revised U.S. Army Regulations, 1863 – pg 474, para 1599: BLANKET – woolen, gray with letters U.S. in black, four inches long, in the center; to be seven feet long, and five and a half feet wide, and to weigh five pounds. (Note: this is the same blanket as described in the 1861 regulations.)
- The U.S. Army in the West 1870-1880: Blanket, pattern 1876 – This gray woolen blanket was the same as the pattern of 1873 except that the end stripes and the `U.S.' were applied in indigo blue rather than black. The letters were either stamped on or woven into the blanket, at the preference of the manufacturer. The specifications called for the blanket to measure 66 inches by 84 inches and to weigh five pounds. One example of this blanket measured 63 ½ inches by 79 ½ inches, probably having shrunk somewhat through washing. The letters `U.S.', 3 5/8 inches high, were rather crudely stenciled in the center, parallel with the ends. The stripes, one across each end were spaced 5 inches from the ends. The color of another specimen was faded to a butternut hue. The 2 ¾ inch wide end stripes had assumed a shade close to royal blue. The badly faded letters, 3 ½ inches high, were stenciled on one side only, parallel with the width. This blanket measured 68 ½ inches by 78 ½ inches.
BLANKETS: MOUNTED SOLDIER EQUIPMENT RELATED
- Revised U.S. Army Regulations, 1863 – pg 479, para 1647: SADDLE BLANKET – To be of pure wool, close woven, of stout yarns of an indigo-blue color, with an orange border 3 inches wide, 3 inches from the edge. The letters U.S., six inches high, of orange color, in the center of the blanket. Dimensions: 75 inches long, 67 inches wide; weight, 3.19 pounds; variation allowed in weight, 0.19 pounds. (Note: this is the same saddle blanket as described in the 1861 regulations)
- Extract from Resolution No 6, Proceedings of the Board of Officers, May 5th, 1874: SADDLE BLANKET – To be 7 feet long by 6 feet wide, of pure wool, closely woven into stout yarns; to be of a dark blue color, with a yellow border 3 inches wide, and three inches from the edge. The letters U.S., 6 inches high, of yellow color, to be in the center of the blanket.
- Horse Equipments and Cavalry Accoutrements as Prescribed by General Order 73, A.G.O. 1885 – pg 10: SADDLE BLANKET – Made of pure wool, close woven, of stout yarn of a gray color, with a yellow border 3 inches wide, and three inches from the edge; the letters U.S., 6 inches high, of yellow color, in the center of the blanket. Dimensions, 84 inches long, 72 inches wide. Weight 4 pounds, with 26 threads in the warp and 36 threads per inch in the woof. Will stand a strain of 50 pounds in the direction of the warp and 40 pounds in the direction of the woof.
YMH&OS,
M.J. Brass
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