Blankets

[Griebz]

Hello all, I know blankets have been covered in the past but I was wondering who makes the HEAVIEST period blanket. I have looked at all the vendors that are talked about in the forum but see no mention of weight. I do a C.S. impression, ANV, and need a good heavy military or civilian blanket.

Peter Griebel

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I know that NJ Sekela makes about the heaviest Federal issue blanket (at 5 lbs, the govt spec), and if you can find some of the older Charlie Childs blankets such as the Mexican War (white with indigo end stripes) you're in the same neighborhood. Also, be on the lookout for used blankets, which often show up at antique stores and consignment shops. I found a 5 point Hudson's Bay blanket at Goodwill a couple of years ago. CS blankets, as a whole, aren't often very thick since the supply system often was cutting as many corners as they could to outfit the troops. This plays out in the originals that survive, as they are often very thin. You have more of a chance utilizing a good Fed blanket or heavier citizen's blanket if you get the chance.

[Hoss 4th AL]

Blockade Runner Sutler makes very good 5 pound blankets. They are 100% wool.

[Griebz]

I just looked at the sekela blanket, the price wasnt that bad. I saw a few threads on the Hudson bay blankets, are these correct for c.s., they look warm? Where is everyone getting there civilian blankets?

Peter Griebel

[Spinster]

Where is everyone getting there civilian blankets?

Peter Griebel

By hovering like a vulture waiting for someone to die. :rolleyes:

Seriously, there is a hole in the marketplace on heavy weight 5+ pound civilian blankets made for the CW time period. Its been a number of years since FHW did a run, and occassionally one comes to the top. Same issue on Childs civilians. I've got a blanket warp on the handloom, but I don't love anyone enough to sell it to them.

What's out there: Wilde Weavery http://www.wildeweavery.com/home.htm

Price will take your breath, but its heirloom quality, and will cover for any American civilian time period. Suffice it to say that I do hand weave---and someday, I'm still going to have one of theirs.

Hudson point blankets in certain colorways could certainly still be hanging around in some areas of the country for civilian use in the CW period. Care should be taken in choosing the specific color/stripe combo--it would really be a bad idea to end up with a bunch of white blankies with candy stripes overrepresented. Warm? Oh my yes.......

[TobiasJones]

Ditto on the NJ Sekela US blankets. They are coarse but look very real and keep you warm.

For a civilian blanket, you may want to consider checking out ebay. Both a friend and I found nice antique 100% wool panel blankets for less than the shipping on them which was around $40. I just did a search for "antique blanket" and found a couple of good options for a decent price and then there were some for a more expensive price.

Personally, I would prefer not to take an original antique (of anything) in the field, but it has been hard to get a hold of reproduction civilian blankets. Something else I am waiting to see is South Union Mills reproduction blankets (southunionmills.com). It would be great to have more options in blankets.

Evan O'Dell