Issue Blanket for Cavalrymen

[michael.shafto]

Greetings,

What type of blanket would be issued to a Regular Army Cavalryman? Would the 1861 Emergency Issue blanket be appropriate, or would two Cavalry blankets be better? I dont want to spend a whole bunch on a blanket that wouldnt be right. I appreciate your help.

Best Regards,

Mike

[7thNJcoA]

When I do my 7th Ill mounted Rifles impression I use a 1851 mounted Issue blanket. It is Plain Dark Blue and is 60 x 80 This is a great blanket and the horse loves it as a saddle blanket. I have one I use for the horse one for me and one for the Mrs cuz she thinks its pretty lol. I bought mine from a source outside Gettysburg last year and they are well crafted but expensive compared to sutler prices. Try and research your unit as much as you can to find thier quartermaster issue sheet or a discharge paper that states the uniform and accourtrement issue it will sometimes be specific as to color and such of blanket and other items. Sometimes it will just say Blanket which isnt helpfull. I hope this helps a bit.

[DaveGink]

Hi Mike,

Regular Cavalry troops were issued the same government-issue US blanket as infantry for sleeping -- Gray/brown, with black end stripes woven in, stitched US in center.

Per regs: "1571. Blanket--woolen, gray, with letters U.S. in black, four inches long, in the centre; to be seven feet long, and five and a half feet wide, and to weigh five pounds."

However due to shortages in 61, domestic and foreign contracts were often producing blankets not quite up to specs. So a gray or tan "emergency blanket" would be fine.

Also, if they lost theirs for some reason and were not in a position to be resupplied, any blanket they could get their hands on would have been used

I had recently read of cavalry men using their saddle blankets while on the march, but having to deal with them being wet with horse sweat.

Edit: keep in mind to that the blue and orange saddle blankets were also in short supply, so the odds of a trooper having two (much less one) would have been low.

[FloridaConfederate]

If your mind’s eye shows you as a cavalry trooper illustrated color plate from a military history book then, by all means, go with the manual prescribed, issue cavalry blanket.....

but

Conversely, if you are indeed Billy Trooper a blue-clad dealer of death out there distributing destruction to the Secessionist home front with daring multi-day cavalry raids far from garrison or supply lines, then your ordinary issue blanket seems to my rekoning to be mo better....this coming from someone who has a reasonable first hand assemblage of experience with equine perspiration here in the glorious South.

Believe it or not, the Fall Creek (gasp !) blankets seem to offer a higher authenticity level (weave, wool content and coarseness) at a cost more acceptable to rapid destruction by horse funk whooping it up saber clashing with the yahoos. Then use your super first rate Matt Woodburn blanket for LH's :wink:

[Doug Cooper]

In case someone is wondering what the most correct reproduction blankets look like: http://www.crchilds.com/id25.htm

Avoid the so-called "emergency blanket" which is a reenactor term. There are plenty of correct blankets out there.

[DaveGink]

In case someone is wondering what the most correct reproduction blankets look like: http://www.crchilds.com/id25.htm

Avoid the so-called "emergency blanket" which is a reenactor term. There are plenty of correct blankets out there.

The term "emergency blanket" is indeed a modern term, but those types of contract blankets existed. Like the terms type 1 and types II are modern terms depicting those style of forage caps.

I believe that Family Heirloom Weavers had made a tan with brown end stripe version not long ago. I remember them being discussed over on the AC forum.

[michael.shafto]

Thanks all for the imput. I just purchased a tan 1861 Blanket (Emergency, or whatever you want to call it LOL). The biggest trick in reenacting is balancing authenticity with affordability! Thanks again!

Mike

[DaveGink]

Thanks all for the imput. I just purchased a tan 1861 Blanket (Emergency, or whatever you want to call it LOL). The biggest trick in reenacting is balancing authenticity with affordability! Thanks again!

Mike

Heh,
Very true. ;)

[DaveGink]

So are you having it shipped over to Iraq to supplement your Army issue bedding? ;)

[michael.shafto]

Hey Dave,

Yep, going to suppliment. I had my cav blanket over here the last time, but forgot it this time. I figured it was time for a new one anyway!

[Dave Myrick]

In case someone is wondering what the most correct reproduction blankets look like: http://www.crchilds.com/id25.htm

Avoid the so-called "emergency blanket" which is a reenactor term. There are plenty of correct blankets out there.

It is my belief that the Child's cavalry blanket is too thick and heavy. There are several documented Federal saddle blankets known and when compared to nearly all of them the Child's blanket is heavier in weight and weave. The saddle blankets Pat Klein made a few years ago are nearly an exact duplicate of a blanket in the Gettysburg NPS collection but this blanket too is not representative of the majority of existing original examples.

I have one of Pat's saddle blankets and have been using it for 4 years now. It holds up pefectly well, surviving saber melees as well as 10 - 15 mile per day maches with only an occasional washing needed to remove the accumulated horse sweat and dirt.

Dave

[7thNJcoA]

the tan "emergency" blankets were a issue before the war and in they early year since there were an abundence of them. They are correct and no need to avoid them. Blankets are in some ways like shirts... There were issued types but also homemade/private purchase. As long as it is constructed proper with size and weight IMHO you can not go wrong.

[Doug Cooper]

the tan "emergency" blankets were a issue before the war and in they early year since there were an abundence of them. They are correct and no need to avoid them. Blankets are in some ways like shirts... There were issued types but also homemade/private purchase. As long as it is constructed proper with size and weight IMHO you can not go wrong.

Drew - what I meant was the blankets that were being sold as "Emergency Blankets" by certain vendors in the late 80's and 90's as a cheap alternative to correct blankets were not proper construction and weight, but simply gray and tan wool blankets.

With the huge inventory of correct blankets out there, both issue and civilian, grabbing one of the cheap versions is not required.

[Doug Cooper]

It is my belief that the Child's cavalry blanket is too thick and heavy. There are several documented Federal saddle blankets known and when compared to nearly all of them the Child's blanket is heavier in weight and weave. The saddle blankets Pat Klein made a few years ago are nearly an exact duplicate of a blanket in the Gettysburg NPS collection but this blanket too is not representative of the majority of existing original examples.

I have one of Pat's saddle blankets and have been using it for 4 years now. It holds up pefectly well, surviving saber melees as well as 10 - 15 mile per day maches with only an occasional washing needed to remove the accumulated horse sweat and dirt.

Dave

One of the problems with comparing new blankets to originals is wear - most originals lost some nap and fiber over the years and so a new repro of them can appear too thick and heavy, like comparing original kersey trousers that are worn. Having said that, the original that CC's 1851 blankie is based on was a pristine original in the Danish collection and probably represents the ideal. Othe blankets such as the Abe Thomas, Julius Jones and such are likely more representative of the average.

I did not realize Pat (a great blanket man) made saddle blankets back then - would love to have one of those.

[7thNJcoA]

Drew - what I meant was the blankets that were being sold as "Emergency Blankets" by certain vendors in the late 80's and 90's as a cheap alternative to correct blankets were not proper construction and weight, but simply gray and tan wool blankets.

With the huge inventory of correct blankets out there, both issue and civilian, grabbing one of the cheap versions is not required.


I understand what you are sayings now sorry bout that. You are correct about the plain blankets. They are Crap! The actual Emergency Blanket was a tan with brownish stripes on it. So when folks are buying those blankies make sure you do a little "research" so you buy a good looking one and you dont have to pay $150 for a good repro blanket! Keep your eyes open just becuase "HOnest Abe INc." Or whomever made the blanket or any gear doesnt make ot automaticly accurate (a better word than authentic in my opinion)