Some new stuff for Christmas

[Tsalagidave]

I tried not to give too tough a list for those wanting to get me something that is inexpensive but useful for my kit. Everyone really came through. I got really tired of everyone always carrying CW rubber blankets without representing oilcloths or painted cloths so I took to carrying those instead. I recently got a real nice one that is light blue. More common colors were blue, red/brown and green. I also got a small camp axe that I quickly got to work on making a sheath for. I used a real simple frontier design that D C Beard even featured in his book. Once I have a good edge in this, it should be adequate for saplings, kindling, making tent pegs and cook fire hooks, etc.

It rides well with the rest of my kit. Next, I need to get some photos of my full kit along with new clothing items that I've been working on.

-Dave

[James Hunt]

Santa came thru again! Nice stuff.

[buckskin billy]

nice stuff. i would really like to know more about your blue cloth. is it painted?

[dusty texian]

Look's like camp life, is gettin better for Ya Dave. Should be handy around the camp fire. Like BB, I would like to know more about the bed roll cloth. Wanting to put together a camping Kit also,,,,,,Dusty

[Tsalagidave]

Thanks guys. Painted cloth was really common right up into the early 20th century. It either had a few coats so it could be used like a tarp /rubber blanket or was heavily coated and used as a floor cover. A really nice one is In the Whaley House in San Diego.  Blue was a fairly common color for a painted canvas or duck cloth. The grommets are hand sewn.  I'm up to my ears in CW era gum blankets so it was nice to get something  that is period correct for a much broader time period.

[The Irish Mick]

Lads,
If anyone is interested, I can provide a couple (including one original) instructions on how to make painted cloth ground covers.  If you do pre-Civil War it is a must.

The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

[Tsalagidave]

I agree with Mick. You really should have this in your kit. Although the goodyear patent is 1851 and other rubber items predate that, the painted cloth is woefully under represented in our hobby.

Here is the complete kit ready for the field. Its the perfect size for a weekend event. Packs nicely on a saddle and travels just as easy on foot.

[buckskin billy]

dave, did you paint the cloth yourself or buy it ready made? I have made painted cloths before from old bed sheets and latex paint, they never hold up for long. I recently bought a hemp tarp and have been pondering on painting it

[Tsalagidave]

I've tried making and buying. This one was a gift. Bedsheets are too soft and wont hold the paint. Try cotton duck or drill. Light grade canvas works well too. The best paint is a linseed-oil based color. Careful with curing this stuff; it has a habit of spontaneous combustion and also makes your garage smell like dead fish as it dries. Works great though and very period. I encourage people to try to make it themselves but read up on linseed oil to prevent "a series of unfortunate events".

If you want to just buy one, either Carter and Jasper or Ezra Barnhouse sell them.

-Dave

[St8LineLeatherSmith]

ya you dont want to throw waded up linsees oil soaked rags in the trash they will spontaneously combust
best to wet them and let the linseed oil evaporate out of the rag in the grass before throwing away.
really dangerous stuff if not disposed of correctly!

[Tsalagidave]

Yep. That's my caveat to everyone. The friction from the rapid oxydization of linseed oil as it dries make it an extreme fire danger. I strongly recommend making it in the open and NEVER try doing it inside any structure or in a densely wooded or dry-brush area.

-Dave