Gum Blanket -- What is on the market right now

[strawfoot9]

Hello,
It doesn't seem like there are a lot of of gum blanket options out there right now for a Federal impression. I'm wondering if we could have a discussion around who is still making them. Specifically, what the reproduction is based on and the overall impressions of the craftsmanship, durability etc. by the owner of that gum blanket. I'm hoping for a discussion of the reproduction (in comparison to originals) and not a sutler bash fest. I appreciate any information that can be provided.

Thanks-
Ambrose Raynor

[pvt_jb]

Jan Berger of Lederarsenal makes them and good price even with the euro conversion and shipping. I own one and a pard has one . Both are still in good shape with use and it is lightweight with nothing coming unglued on the edges or around the grommets like I have seen on other repros. I have handled only one original and this seems to be a little thinner than that one example. From what I know and seen it is a great reproduction at a great price. For new I don't know of any other options for accurate ones. A used Sekela comes up for sale on occasion which go also have. I have had several others all of lesser quality which were heavy and came apart quickly with use.

[fallstoomuch]

I love my Leder arsenal one! Great quality! I've heard sekela puts a good one out-I chose Leder though-and saved $10+...yes I am that cheap

[Marc Shaffer]

Lederarsenal makes some fine gum blankets and their rubber poncho is outstanding also! Always been a pleasure to deal with Jan.

[Silas]

Claude Sinclair makes some great Federal painted blankets. I swear by mine.

[J.H.Berger]

I have compared one of my gum blankets with an original in a private collection last summer. Although it had some slight differences in the dimensions, the material ( weight thickness weave of fabric)was dead on. We have to keep in mind that due to different makers there was a great variety of material around.

[pvt_jb]

Absolutely Jan! That's why I added I had only seen one but should have added to that thought. No doubt with all the various contractors at the time there were many variations in size and weight. That's the case with so many original items such as blankets and coats.

On a side note the one original I did see had been shot through. The story was the original owner took a bullet through the side of his knapsack. The holes confirm it was folded in a square the size to fit between the bags of knapsack.

[brown30741]

I wish I could put my hands on my copy of the article that surveys the various rubber blankets found on the Maple Leaf's wreckage. From memory (which may be faulty), I don't think any two were identical. There certainly was a LOT of variation.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I wish I could put my hands on my copy of the article that surveys the various rubber blankets found on the Maple Leaf's wreckage. From memory (which may be faulty), I don't think any two were identical. There certainly was a LOT of variation.

You are correct - the survey showed that every one of them recovered had subtle differences in size, grommets, and grommet placement. I've viewed two of those personally and can attest that its accurate

[mike44thva]

I've seen references to an article about the U.S.S. Maple Leaf, but I've never seen it. I would love to know what else was found on the ship. However I do know in the Columbia Rifles Research Compendium (CRRC, both volumes) 2 of the gum blankets that are mentioned are from the U.S.S. Maple Leaf, including dimensions.