wool blankets

[Red Badger]

Just wondering if anyone could offer any information as to one of the original questions on this post, namely is it definite that the OD Army blanket color is or is not HC/PC? Without anything definite to go on, it seems like that shade of green might be pretty darn close to that which might have been used sometime during the 18th or 19th century. I think there might be somewhat of a predudice against them since they are common old surplus blankets that anyone can own without breaking the bank instead of expensive "Guaranteed HC" gear that the well heeled can afford. This attitude is most likely to show up at a juried event. I have seen a lot of bright green capotes at (casual weekend) rondies in a shade that seems way too vibrant a green to have existed back then.  Of course, using the brown Rit dye to darken them is an easy way to avoid any questions, but just wonderin'.

Black Jack - I have always been politely (not!) informed that OD Green is NOT allowed at juried events.... a darker shade is allowable.  I do beleive you are right in your suposition that the real reason is that they are easy to come accross. 

[Mongo40]

I think part of the reason or the main reason is the second you see that color of green wool you know exactly what it is,  After 22 years in the Army the minute I see that color of wool I immediatly think, Army wool blanket, a lot of us having spent time in the military tend to think that so my thought is that its what that shade of green is associated with.  That ole green blanket has been around a long time, I'd be curious to know just how long the army has been using it.

[Red Badger]

I think part of the reason or the main reason is the second you see that color of green wool you know exactly what it is,  After 22 years in the Army the minute I see that color of wool I immediatly think, Army wool blanket, a lot of us having spent time in the military tend to think that so my thought is that its what that shade of green is associated with.  That ole green blanket has been around a long time, I'd be curious to know just how long the army has been using it.

since 1776 ?   

[Ranger]

I just picked up 2 nice heavy white wool blankets from fleabay for 35 bucks for both of them. Including shipping. They also have a crap load of hb type point blankets for very good prices. They are generally jc penny or some other upper end store brand but they are much more affordable than an earlys whitney. Free advice and worth every penny. Lol

[Watauga]

Black Jack that's a good question!
I remember being told that Rev war Rifleman did not have Green Wool Hats and that they did not use slings on their rifles.
Then I was looking at some paintings and illustration contemporary to the rev war   Guess what Green hats and Rifle Slings galore!
The sling's might be tie on it was difficult to see the detail of attachment??

[beowulf]

When issued in April 1905, Specification No. 752 provided for the first olive drab blanket, replacing the use of gray through much of the 19th century and light blue at its close.  The important features the blankets made under No. 752 were as follows:
1) Olive drab in color. 
2) An olive brown border 3 inches wide across the width of the blanket 6 inches from the edge.
3) The blanket was to be 7 feet long by 5 feet 6 inches wide.
4) To weigh not less than 5 pounds.
5) A "US" brand stitched in the center of the blanket, 6 inches tall, worked either by hand or machine, in the same color and quality of wool as the border.                          sounds like the originals were better quality than todays !

[Red Badger]

And it explains why they are not PC... 1905 is a tad out of our operational time frame....