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

[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!