Period correct US Army blanket Indian War

[Deadeye Don]

Any ideas where I can find a reproduction Indian War (note not Civil War)  period Army blanket for display purposes?  Thanks.

Deadeye.

[panhead pete]

Howdy Deadeye,

Hamilton Dry goods sells a blanket that is called "Indian Wars".  I bought one and it is very good quality.  However, Fall Creek is showing the same colors as CS Cavalry???  Worth a look I spose.

Best,

Panhead

['Monterrey' Jack Brass]

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

[Dr. Bob]

Deadeye Don,

I have a friend, now locate in PA, who weaves blankets for a living.  With the description that Brass furnished, he could make them.  He weaves point blankets and they are used by the hard core 1812 & 1840's reenactors.  I have several and will have some with me at the NCOWS nationals.  He weaves them, then fulls and naps them in the traditional way.  He has done extensive research in museums in the eastern US and in England.  He also makes accurate reproduction British Army blankets.  Let me know if you want me to check on the size & weight.

[Deadeye Don]

Dr. Bob.  Indeed,  please find out what the price would be also if you would.


MJB,   I knew I had seen a thread someplace about the blankets.  Thank you for jogging my memory.  I will do a search.  And thank you for posting  the specs.

[Buffalow Red]

Deadeye Don,

I have a friend, now locate in PA, who weaves blankets for a living.  With the description that Brass furnished, he could make them.  He weaves point blankets and they are used by the hard core 1812 & 1840's reenactors.  I have several and will have some with me at the NCOWS nationals.  He weaves them, then fulls and naps them in the traditional way.  He has done extensive research in museums in the eastern US and in England.  He also makes accurate reproduction British Army blankets.  Let me know if you want me to check on the size & weight.

whats he get for them

[Dr. Bob]

B. Red,

That was one of the questions!  May not hear till next week since it is Easter weekend.

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy,

Here is the reply that I received from Rob Stone, my friend that makes the blankets.

"blanket, "dove" gray (steel gray), 66 x 84", black stripes, 3.5" high "U.S." printed in black in the center, woven in a twill, fulled and napped.

I need a minimum order of 6 with a 50% nonrefundable deposit.  Price each would be $210. and that would include shipping.

Delivery by year's end given that the order is placed in the next month or so.

Let me know if there are any more questions."


I am guessing that he didn't read the blue stripe & letters.  That should be no problem.  6 should be easier to get than 50!  The blankets will be of superior quality.  I don't get a kick back, but Rob has been my friend for 35 years and I have about a dozen of them. 

Fulling is washing in hot water to tighten the weave and napping is brushing the surface to get the nice soft fuzz that helps keep you warn.  The weaving, fulling and napping are all done by hand as were the originals.

[Deadeye Don]

Dr.  Bob,  Thanks for getting this information for us. So you are saying that the US and the Stripe would be blue and NOT black correct?  If so I would like to order one.  Let me know how your friend wants payment.  Feel free to pm me if you prefer.

[FTrooper]

Good News.

Yes, I have seen Rob Stone's blankets and they are superb and he will do the correct M1876.  He made some Mex_war for my friends a few years back and they were outstanding.  Like mentioned, they may cost almost twice what my guy wants, but as noted, he needs 50, and that seems to be near impossible, so I would be quite happy to consider buying from Rob as well!  I lost his contact info and couldn't find it till NOW! 

I would be interested in him contacting me at Fort McKavett as I am trying to redo a barracks building ala 1883 and would need a few, as well as some Mexican War white and blue blankets for our 1852 display!

christopher.fischer@thc.state.tx.us

or

FortMcKavettDragoon@yahoo.com

Chris Fischer
Curator/Interpreter
Fort McKavett State Historic Site
Texas Historical Commission

[Deadeye Don]

I would like one also, so if we can figure out how to contact Mr. Stone we can put some orders in.

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy,

Go to  http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,20164.0.html  for information on ordering blankets(s)!