Warmest Confederate Blanket

[tompritchett]

In preparation for the fall campaign, I am looking to replace my sutler grade blanket. Therefore I am looking for the recommendations from our more experienced members on which vendor makes the warmest blanket that would be authentic for an Eastern Confederate impression. I am aware of Charles Shilds "Mahone" blanket and am leaning very hard towards purchasing one but just wanted to make sure that there might not be one out there even warmer. Thanks.

[JMByrnes]

Tom,

A jean cloth blanket backed with shirting material is surprisingly warm, but also light weight. If you do any walking it's a definite plus over some of those 4.5 and 5 lbs blankets out there.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

From a campaigning standpoint the above recommendation is excellent. If weight isn't an issue, I've had excellent results with the Brooke blanket from Waterside Woolens as a documented Confederate blanket, or for a capture or pick-up item, the Federal issue blanket from NJ's own NJS is definitely warm and toasty at 5+ lbs.

[madisontigers]

Tom,


I would give the following suggestions-

I. T.V. Brooke blanket: You can probably purchase one from Daley or Regimental Quartermaster. This blanket is made to the specs of an original that belonged to Mr. Brooke, Richmond Howitzers. I bought mine two years ago, and as of yet, I have failed to chill too much when utilizing this blanket.

II. You could also go for an ingrain carpet. These are fairly warm as well.

III.A blanket with NC provenance, perhaps you can score one from Waterside Woolen mills, or better yet, if your lucky, one made by County Cloth (Chas Childs). I have found that my County Cloth NC blanket is a good multi-season blanket, as it isn't all too heavy at all.

IV. The Mahone blanket is also a good blanket. I used to own one , but, I sold mine due to the fact that it seemed a good bit bulkier than my other blankets. Still, if you are looking for a warm blanket, you can't go wrong with this one.

V. And, my personal favorite lightweight blanket, and one that is excellent for summer campaigning, the rice blanket. You should be able to score one of these from your local antique dealer.

VI. And, so long as your impression calls for it, a good ole' U.S. issue blanket. Abe Thomas, Waterside Woolen, and Woodburn blankets seem to be the best.

Contacts for blankets are :

a. www.crchilds.com
b. S&S Sutler : 717-338-1990
www.familyheirloomweavers.com

Hope this helps,

Dave Long

Madison Guards

[Spinster]

Mr. P,

On any blanket, there is a trade off between warmth and weight.

For those traveling distance with a blanket, the packing ability of a 3 pound blanket often mitigates the fact that it is less warm.

For those whose distance marching days are past, a 5-7 pound blanket it a wonderful thing.

Probably the premier blankets for warmth are the double woven civilian blankets Pat Klien made a few years back. The weave pattern was such that it created pockets of air between two woven layers. Charlie Childs offers a similar checked blanket, also double woven--and its been listed as 'sold out' for a good while as well. These rarely come up on the 'used' market.

If your body has reached the point that it truely suffers in the cold, consider acquiring both a blanket in the 5 pound range like the Mahone, and a thinner, lighter jean or twill summer blanket. Place the heavy blanket down, then the lightweight one--and roll up with both.

And, for a different idea on a civilian blanket--look to those solid color blankets made for the modern consumer market, by Brown Sheep Company. http://www.woobeeknitshop.com/servlet/the-WOOL-BLANKETS/Categories All wool, with a blanket stitch bound edge, these solid color blankets are a comparable weave and finish to that produced for trade blankets in the decades leading up to the war. These blankets do have a modern dye process that is very consistent, so they do not reflect the more common varigated look of yarns spun and woven pre-war. They are however, heavy, thick and warm.

[LibertyHallVols]

I'll second the ingrain carpet. In my travels, they appear to be underrepresented as I've only seen a couple of guys carrying them. However, they are pretty heavy... I would expect they'd be rather warm.

[Slickrick214]

Although it’s not a Confederate issue blanket I would also recommend the US Federal issue blanket from NJ Sekela. If weight isn’t to much of a concern then this is a great blanket. Weighing in at around 5 pounds it will definitely keep you warm. I have been very happy with mine so far.

[Anders]

Go Federal- Abe Thomas or even better Charlie Childs US issue.

Pards,

[tompritchett]

On any blanket, there is a trade off between warmth and weight.

In my case, I would rather hump the slightly heavier weight and be warm at night than have the lighter weight and be cold at night. I am still in decent enough shape to hump the extra weight for fairly extensive distances (I used to be a distance runner) but I am old enough now that my body has less tolerance towards cold at night. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Avoid then, the Wisconsin Vetereans Museum "Pea Ridge" blanket as it is two light-weight linsey-woolsey strips...
;) :)

CHS

[Memphis]

Borrow a carpet blanket for an event. Tote it around for a few miles. Let the experience weigh heavily in your purchasing decision, and it will.

[Chad Wrinn]

I would go with the T.V. Brooke blanket and sew a cotton drill backing on to it. Email me if you want to know how, chadcoach24@aol.com

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Hallo!

Avoid then, the Wisconsin Vetereans Museum "Pea Ridge" blanket as it is two light-weight linsey-woolsey strips...
;) :)

CHS
Amen to that. It was so thin I ended up making a shirt out of it.

[jademonkey]

I would second the use of the Mahone blanket - very warm. Not too heavy but definately heavier than the Brooke. Nice feature of the Mahone is the density and tightness of the weave - real solid. Good luck, Garrett

[tenfed1861]

If you choice Federal,go with a KN blanket.Everytime I use my Abe Thomas as cooler events,I freeze.Avoid the Julius Jones blanket as they are so thin that you'd freeze in summer.A KN blanket is pretty warm,same weight as a Thomas/Jones blanket,and also highly underrated.

[huntdaw]

I have had very good results with the Brooke blanket when doing Confederate. If the ground is dry, I often use it or my Federal blanket when doing that impression and throw the gum blanket or painted ground cloth on top. It works very well to keep off the dew and help trap body heat.

My most recent use of this method was at Pea Ridge in 18 degree weather. I slept well even away from the fire while others suffered while being next to the fire.

[LibertyHallVols]

Amen to that. It was so thin I ended up making a shirt out of it.

A counter-comment on the supposed uselessness of the WVM Pea Ridge blanky (er... bedsheet)

June, 2007 in Vicksburg, Mississippi! It was THE perfect blanket! Light weight. The weave was too tight to allow mosquitoes through, but too loose to stop chiggers (only kevlar would have stopped 'em! :evil: )

It ain't warm, but it does have its uses! I plan to carry it to "High Tide".
:cool:

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

WVM Pea Ridge blanket

Are these even available for sale anymore?

Paul B.

[LibertyHallVols]

Are these even available for sale anymore?

Paul B.

I don't see it listed on the website. You could always call. When I got mine, I was at the museum and asked about the Auggie W. blanky. Those were long sold out, but they pulled the PR blanket from a back room for me to look at. So, they might be available, but not advertised.